My usage frequently asked questions

Some meter numbers may appear more than once, but with different dates in the Available data period column. This helps ensure you receive complete data for that meter.

Each meter records usage at a specific minimum interval length. Here’s how to find this information:

• In Download Data or Reporting, go to Select Meter(s).
• Select the meter number you want to review.
• A pop up will appear with meter details. Look for Minimum interval length.

A meter channel records a specific unit of electricity measurement, such as kilowatt hours (kWh) or kilovolt ampere hours (kVAh). Each meter has multiple channels. 

These are the channels customers typically choose: 

• Interval kWh delivered with losses: This is the electricity use you are billed for. It represents your total consumption after accounting for electricity lost while it travels through our powerlines to your home or business.
• Interval kWh delivered: This shows your demand in kW. By adding up every interval, this also shows you the total unadjusted energy consumed over time in kWh as measured by the meter. If you select an hourly interval for the same time period as your billing cycle, this should match the Demand kW (unadjusted) — your peak demand — shown on your Toronto Hydro bill.*
• Interval kVAh delivered: This shows your demand in kVA. If you select an hourly interval and the time period that matches your billing period when setting up your report, this should match your Demand kVA (unadjusted) on your Toronto Hydro bill.*

If you’re a net metering customer, you may want to use the following channels:

• Interval kWh delivered: This shows your demand in kW. By adding up every interval, this also shows you the total unadjusted energy consumed over time in kWh as measured by the meter. If you select an hourly interval for the same time period as your billing cycle, this should match the Demand kW (unadjusted) — your peak demand — shown on your Toronto Hydro bill.*
• Interval kWh received: This is the total electricity you send to Toronto Hydro’s distribution grid after subtracting the electricity you use yourself (your net energy production that is delivered to the grid).

What is demand? Demand is the amount of electrical power you used at a specific time. Peak demand is the highest amount of electrical power you’ve used during a specified time period.

* Demand, peak demand and other electricity consumption data made available to customers may be derived from metering systems and other sources that may be subject to validation, estimation, adjustments, or correction. Such data should not be relied upon for any purpose without independent verification.
 

Interval length is the time period in which your electricity usage is measured. Shorter intervals (when available) provide more detailed usage information.

If you select multiple meters and each meter has a different minimum interval length, you can only choose the longest interval length available.

For example: You select two meters. If one meter records data every 5 minutes and another every 15 minutes, you’ll only be able to select the 15 minute interval.

This happens when your report exceeds the number of meter reading records the system can process at one time:

• Download Data has a system limit of 250,000 meter reading records
• Reporting has a system limit of one million meter reading records 

This limit depends on the following selections:

• Type of meter(s)
• Number of meters
• Number of meter channels
• The length of the time period 

To maintain system stability, the tool limits how many records it can process at one time. We appreciate your patience as we continue to improve performance.

You can try adjusting your selections and download smaller batches. Try selecting: 

• Fewer meters
• Fewer meter channels
• A shorter time period 

Note: If you get this error message in Download Data, you can also click Schedule report and it will be ready the next day.

As you adjust your selections, the error message will update with the number of meter reading records required for your report. This can help you determine whether your new selections are approaching the system limit.

To help you stay within the system limit, use the tables provided on this page when working in Download Data and Reporting.

How to use the tables

Follow these steps to understand how many meters you can include without exceeding the system limit. 

1. Find your meter’s minimum interval length. Each meter has a specific minimum interval length. To find it, select the meter number on the Download Data or Reporting page. A pop‑up will open with the meter details. Look for Minimum interval length.
2. Select the time period you need. Choose the date range for the data you want to download or report on.
3. Use the table to confirm how many meters you can include. Match your meter’s interval length and time period in the table to see the maximum number of meters you can select at once.

Note: The limits shown in the tables are based on selecting one meter channel. If you select more than one channel, try choosing fewer meters or a shorter time period to stay within the limit.  

Here’s an example:

You’re creating a report in Download Data and want to know how many meters you can select.

• Each meter you selected has a 15‑minute minimum interval length
• You’re selecting one meter channel 
• You want data from April 1 to April 30 (a 30‑day period)

Based on the table, you can select up to 86 meters. If you select more than one meter channel, you’ll need to select fewer meters or choose a shorter time period.

Download Data

The maximum number of meter reading records is 250,000.

Maximum meters possible for Download Data

This is based on one meter channel being selected and all selected meters having the same minimum interval length.

Reporting

The maximum number of meter reading records is one million.

Maximum meters possible for scheduled reports

This is based on one meter channel being selected and all selected meters having the same minimum interval length. 

You can access different amounts of historical usage data depending on which feature you’re using.

Scheduled reports are delivered at approximately 10 a.m. the next day.

• One time reports: Delivered the next day
• Recurring reports: Delivered on the scheduled date based on the frequency you selected

Once your report is ready to download in our self-serve portal, you’ll receive an email notification. The notification will go to the email address associated with your online profile. 

To stop future reports, edit the end date to be today’s date. You’ll still be able to access all previously generated reports in View Reports.

Here’s how to edit the end date: 

1. Go to My Usage > Reporting > View Reports.
2. Find the report you want to update. Click the menu icon (three dots) next to the report and select Edit/Cancel.
3. Update the Reporting period end date to today’s date and then save your changes.

You can edit the end date of your report before it expires. Here’s how: 

1. Go to My Usage > Reporting > View Reports.
2. Find the report you want to update. Click the menu icon (three dots) next to the report and select Edit/Cancel.
3. Update the Reporting period end date to a future date and then save your changes.

If your report expires, you’ll need to create a new one: 

1. Go to My Usage > Reporting > View Reports.
2. Select Schedule a One-Time Report or Schedule a Recurring Report. Customize your report and then schedule it. 

Expired reports remain available in the self serve portal for one year.

Note: You’ll receive an email notification 14 days prior to your report’s expiry date.
 

If your report couldn’t be generated, you have to create a new one:

1. Go to My Usage > Reporting > View Reports.
2. Select Schedule a One-Time Report or Schedule a Recurring Report. Customize your report and then schedule it.

If this was a recurring report, you can still view previously generated reports.

If you continue to experience issues, please contact us.

You can view up to one year of previous reports, including expired reports.

In our self-serve portal, you can only access reports that you created.