How do I know if I am on a water heater flat rate with Toronto Hydro?
You are on the 'flat rate' if you currently see an Unmetered Water Heater Service rate on your electricity bill. This means the electricity for your water heater bypasses the electricity meter, and instead you are billed a flat rate or fixed amount.
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Why is Toronto Hydro discontinuing its flat rate billing option?
A water heater is one of the largest users of energy in a typical home. At Toronto Hydro, our goal is to continue to provide reliable electricity to all our customers, while promoting conservation. Metered electricity service encourages you to manage and reduce your costs by reducing your hot water use, and therefore your electricity use.
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How do I change my water heating from flat rate to metered service?
Hire a licensed electrician to perform this conversion. The electrician should have an Electrical Contractor License.
The electrician will disconnect the water heater 'control wire(s)' in your electrical panel. The electrician will either install a circuit breaker or re-wire the water heater switch so the water heater is connected to your main electrical panel supply (like the rest of the appliances in your home).
Once you have this work completed and inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority (www.esasafe.com 1-877-esa-safe) and Toronto Hydro has been notified that you have completed your conversion, the separate Unmetered Water Heater Service rate will be removed from your bill.
Once you have converted, you will pay the current electricity rate for your water heater use and this will be part of the electricity charge on your bill.
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Can you suggest an electrician/contractor who I can use to complete this work?
We recommend that you hire a licensed electrician (an electrician with an Electrical Contractor License) to perform this conversion. We also recommend that you hire an Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) Authorized Contractor. An ESA Authorized Contractor will provide an ESA Inspection Certificate to Toronto Hydro to confirm your conversion. If you do not use an ESA Authorized Contractor, you are required to provide an ESA inspection number to Toronto Hydro to confirm your conversion has been completed properly and safely.
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Why should I use an ESA Authorized Contractor?
ESA's Authorized Contractor Program - The Electrical Safety Authority recognizes Electrical Contractors who consistently perform a level of electrical wiring and installation work that reinforces public electrical safety. The voluntary program called the Authorized Contractor Program requires that Electrical Contractors maintain a high level of performance, carry appropriate liability insurance, and arrange for regular training on the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
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I can perform this work on my own. Do I have to get it inspected after completion?
Yes, you need to get the work inspected by the Electrical Safety Authority. Visit www.esasafe.com or call 1-877-esa-safe.
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What if I don't want to change to metered electricity service for my water heater?
Another alternative is to convert to another type of water heater such as natural gas, tankless, solar, propane or oil. If you do so, you will no longer see the separate unmetered water heater service charge on your electricity bill.
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Do I have to take action now?
If you have not already, you will receive a letter from Toronto Hydro indicating that we are no longer offering the flat rate. Included in this personalized letter, is the date in which you must complete your conversion.
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