Choose Your Rate Option

Beginning October 13, 2020, Residential and Small Business customers can submit a request to switch from Time-of-Use to Tiered Pricing for electricity usage after October 31, 2020.

Use the Ontario Energy Board bill calculator to see what your total bill would look like with new, November 1, 2020, Time-of-Use and Tiered prices.

 

Choose the rate option that's right for you

The best rate plan for you will depend on your electricity consumption patterns. The difference is not likely to be more than a few dollars per month, but we do want to help you make the best choice possible. A few tips:

  • If you have an electric vehicle which you charge at home overnight, Time-of-Use rates may be best for you, because you'll be able to take advantage of the off-peak rate.
  • If you live in a smaller home and don't typically use a lot of electricity (less than 700 kilowatt-hours per month), choosing Tiered rates may lower your total bill, because you won't consumer enough to hit the threshold for the higher rate.
Tools to help you make an informed choice

Use the Ontario Energy Board bill calculator to see what your total bill would look like with new, November 1, 2020, Time-of-Use and Tiered prices.

  • You'll need your Alectra Utilities bill, or several months of bills. To use the calculator most effectively, you'll want to know how much electricity you use and when you use it. You can find this information on the Electricity line of your bills or in MyEnergy View.
  • Remember, your monthly use and usage pattern may be different in the winter season than it is in the summer season. Keep in mind the effect of COVID-19 on your electricity use (for instance, you may be working from home when you normally wouldn't be).

 

Choose Your Rate Option

You can opt-out of Time-of-Use pricing and switch to Tiered pricing one of these ways:

Log in to MyEnergy View

You can switch your Rate Option in MyEnergy View and select Billing Optionality.

Sign-up for MyEnergy View

All you need is your Alectra Utilities (formerly Guelph Hydro) account number to sign-up. Right away you'll be able to switch your Rate Option in the Billing Optionality menu.

Sign up Now
Submit a Rate Option Selection form

Online, by email, or by postal mail.

Residential Customer

Small Business Customer

We're here to help

Call Alectra Utilities (formerly Guelph Hydro) Customer Service at 519-822-3010 during business hours, Monday to Friday for assistance with submitting your selection.

 

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Time-of-Use and Tiered prices?

Time-of-Use pricing reflects the cost of producing electricity at different times of the day based on demand. It has three periods: on-peak, when energy demand and cost is high, mid-peak, when energy demand and cost is moderate, and off-peak, when energy demand and cost is low.

Time-of-Use prices ultimately gives you more control over your electricity bill. By adjusting your usage habits, Time-of-Use pricing enables you to save money during hours when electricity is more expensive.

Tiered pricing is one price for usage based on a threshold amount and a higher price for usage over that threshold.

  • The threshold for residential consumers changes twice a year on a seasonal basis; to 600 kilowatt-hours per month during the summer season (May 1 to October 31) and to 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month during the winter season (November 1 to April 30).
  • The threshold for non-residential consumers is 750 kilowatt-hours per month.

Time-of-Use and Tiered prices are set by the Ontario Energy Board twice a year on May 1 and November 1.
I like Time-of-Use and don't want to switch my pricing option. Do I have to do anything?
No. If you choose to stay on Time-of-Use Pricing you don't have to let us know, it's our default pricing option.
When do I have to tell Alectra I want to switch rate plans? Is there a deadline?

You can let us know any time. After you submit a request, we will make every effort to apply your selection to your next electricity statement. If the current month's bill is already in process it will be applied on the following bill.

More than one Rate Option Selection cannot be processed in one monthly billing cycle.
What if I change my mind? Am I locked into a price plan?

No, you're not locked into a price plan. You can switch between Time-of-Use and Tiered pricing at any time however more than one Rate Option Selection cannot be processed in one monthly billing cycle.
I have a Retail Energy Contract. Can I switch my rate option?
No, if you have signed a contract with an energy retailer for your electricity supply, you have agreed to purchase electricity at a fixed price for a set period of time. When your contract ends and if you return to the Regulated Price Plan you will have the option to switch your rate.
I'm a new customer. How do I choose a rate option?
If you are a new customer, your default rate plan will be Time-of-Use unless you select Tiered Pricing when you tell us you're moving. Use our online form to let us know you're moving and your Rate Option selection.