Electricity rate bump starts showing up on Alectra bills in Hamilton
by Tom Hogue
The Hamilton Spectator
Higher electricity rates introduced this month by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) are beginning to show up on Alectra bills in Hamilton and other municipalities.
Under the OEB rates that started Nov. 1, the cheapest level of power use in households climbed roughly 50 per cent — from 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) to 10.1 cents per kWh. This off-peak period applies from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays, as well as all day on weekends and holidays.
On-peak usage — generally the worst time to run a dishwasher or washing machine — now applies weekdays from 7 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. The rate in this highest-priced period climbs from 13.4 cents per kWh to 20.8 cents per kWh.
The price for mid-peak use climbs from 9.4 cents per kWh to 14.4 cents per kWh, and applies to power use from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Morning and afternoon peak times were shuffled under the current plan.
The OEB explained the rate increase as a response to "a forecast cost of supply that has gone up relative to what it was on May 1, due in part to the refurbishment of nuclear facilities and new generation of facilities coming online."
A typical dishwasher with a power use of 1800 watts running daily for one hour at the new "off-peak" rate of 10 cents per kWh will cost approximately $6 a month.
The new rates exclude relief provided under various provincial programs, including the Ontario Electrical Support Program for households whose income falls beneath a threshold.
Groups like the Hamilton Housing Help Centre, Neighbour-to-Neighbour Centre and Immigrants Working Centre can assist those having difficulty with online applications or in cases where language is a barrier when filling out forms.
Legislation prohibits power used for heat from being shut off through the winter between Nov. 15 and April 30.
Rising power rates are often problematic for households unable to schedule washing or other appliance use during "off-peak" times.
"We have a number of clients who would share with one at home while the other is at work," said Steven Rimmington, program supervisor for financial support service at Hamilton Housing Help.
He also said appliances are often not the most energy efficient in homes catalogued as being in "energy poverty."
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9708206-electricity-rate-bump-starts-showing-up-on-alectra-bills-in-hamilton/
by Tom Hogue
The Hamilton Spectator
Higher electricity rates introduced this month by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) are beginning to show up on Alectra bills in Hamilton and other municipalities.
Under the OEB rates that started Nov. 1, the cheapest level of power use in households climbed roughly 50 per cent — from 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) to 10.1 cents per kWh. This off-peak period applies from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays, as well as all day on weekends and holidays.
On-peak usage — generally the worst time to run a dishwasher or washing machine — now applies weekdays from 7 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. The rate in this highest-priced period climbs from 13.4 cents per kWh to 20.8 cents per kWh.
The price for mid-peak use climbs from 9.4 cents per kWh to 14.4 cents per kWh, and applies to power use from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Morning and afternoon peak times were shuffled under the current plan.
The OEB explained the rate increase as a response to "a forecast cost of supply that has gone up relative to what it was on May 1, due in part to the refurbishment of nuclear facilities and new generation of facilities coming online."
A typical dishwasher with a power use of 1800 watts running daily for one hour at the new "off-peak" rate of 10 cents per kWh will cost approximately $6 a month.
The new rates exclude relief provided under various provincial programs, including the Ontario Electrical Support Program for households whose income falls beneath a threshold.
Groups like the Hamilton Housing Help Centre, Neighbour-to-Neighbour Centre and Immigrants Working Centre can assist those having difficulty with online applications or in cases where language is a barrier when filling out forms.
Legislation prohibits power used for heat from being shut off through the winter between Nov. 15 and April 30.
Rising power rates are often problematic for households unable to schedule washing or other appliance use during "off-peak" times.
"We have a number of clients who would share with one at home while the other is at work," said Steven Rimmington, program supervisor for financial support service at Hamilton Housing Help.
He also said appliances are often not the most energy efficient in homes catalogued as being in "energy poverty."
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9708206-electricity-rate-bump-starts-showing-up-on-alectra-bills-in-hamilton/
