Saving money on your monthly expenses is important to you and your family, and one way to save is by reducing your household electricity bill. You are presented with different choices when it comes to purchasing electricity, and we want you to understand each option.
You may choose to buy your electricity through Toronto Hydro-Electricity System's ("Toronto Hydro) Regulated Price Plan (RPP) Tiered Pricing or Time-of-Use Pricing.
The main points of the RPP Tiered and RPP Time-of-Use rates are:
- You are charged a regulated price per kilowatt hour (kWh) by Toronto Hydro for the electricity you consume.
- The price is set by the Ontario Energy Board, the independent regulator of Ontario's energy sector, and remains stable for the summer and winter season for RPP and stable throughout the year for Time-of-Use rates.
- Toronto Hydro does not earn a profit on the electricity it purchases for you.
- You pay the cost of the electricity that Toronto Hydro buys in the market on your behalf.
You may also choose to buy your electricity from an electricity retailer. Electricity retailers purchase large "blocks" of wholesale electricity from power generating companies, and then sell it to consumers.
The main points of a retailer contract are:
- You pay the retailer a "fixed-price per kilowatt-hour", as mutually agreed upon in a contract offered by the retailer;
- The price offered is typically guaranteed for a specified number of years, although in some cases the price could change during the contract period.
Make an informed choice!
| List of Retailers |
Price comparison (Cost of Electricity only)
*as listed on energyshop.com |
| Bullfrog Power Inc |
8.9 cents/1 year |
| Canada Energy Wholesalers Ltd. |
7.49/5 years |
| Direct Energy Marketing Ltd. |
7.99/5 years |
| Just Energy |
No rates found |
| Planet Energy Corp. |
7.29/5 years |
| Toronto Hydro |
RPP Tiered Pricing:
6.5 cents/first 600 kWh per 30 days and
7.5 cents/rest
RPP Time-of-Use Pricing:
9.9 cents Highest Price (On-Peak), 8.0 cents Mid Price (Mid-Peak), 5.3 cents Lowest Price (Off-Peak) |
| Superior Energy |
8.49 cents/5 years |
Make sure you know what you're agreeing to.
We recommend that you do the following before signing a contract to purchase electricity from companies other than Toronto Hydro:
- Ensure the retailer is licensed by the Ontario Energy Board to sell electricity. This can be verified on the OEB website.
- Read the contract offer carefully so you are aware of all terms and conditions.
Find out what price the retailer is charging for electricity (the current regulated electricity tiered rates are 6.5 cents/kWh for the first 600 kWh used for 30 days and 7.5 cents/kWh hour for the remaining kWh used for 30 days). Time-of-Use prices are: Lowest Price (Off-Peak) at 5.3 cents/kWh, Mid Price (Mid-Peak) at 8.0 cents/kWh and Highest Price (On-Peak) at 9.9 cents/kWh.
- What are the administration costs? Look for them and other additional costs on top of the commodity charge to get the full picture of what you're signing up for.
- Discuss the contract termination process and any charges you might be responsible for, as well as the terms for contract renewal.
- Ask questions if anything is unclear.
Shop around and compare the prices of other retailers, as well as the regulated price that Toronto Hydro charges.