Hydro Rates vs. Fixed Income ?

[longpointer]

It has been nice seeing a Hydro bill that is affordable but May 31st is fast approaching and sadly we will see rates return to normal. As I am retired and on a fixed income but not yet getting OAS so I lose out on that 300 dollar government giveaway. Okay.... it's only 300 bucks and once at that but that's a Federal thing to help offset perscriptions costs/delivery fees. Also for those on GIS there is 200 dollars available. If the government really wants to help seniors or those on other types of fixed income why not keep the hydro rates at weekend rates all the time for those that qualify ?

[Fisherman]

It has been nice seeing a Hydro bill that is affordable but May 31st is fast approaching and sadly we will see rates return to normal. As I am retired and on a fixed income but not yet getting OAS so I lose out on that 300 dollar government giveaway. Okay.... it's only 300 bucks and once at that but that's a Federal thing to help offset perscriptions costs/delivery fees. Also for those on GIS there is 200 dollars available. If the government really wants to help seniors or those on other types of fixed income why not keep the hydro rates at weekend rates all the time for those that qualify ?

Agreed.

[glen]

Why not just have hydro at a reasonable price for everyone.

[js4fn]

Hydro used is not that bad it’s the delivery plus regulatory charge plus tax

Then low density cause I live in the boonies

[Bo D]

If they stopped paying their execs exorbitant salaries maybe they could...

[smitty55]

Like you I'm on a fixed income and not quite yet 65. A few years back I applied for and got the Ontario Electricity Support Program rebate, in my case it was $45 per month. After 2 years I had to reapply and now receive a $40 monthly rebate. We are quite careful with our hydro usage, have propane furnace, hot water and range along with led lighting. We don't use a dryer for the most part. Last bill usage was only 486 kwh so with a $40 OESP and an Ontario Electricity rebate of $33 my final bill was only $27.28. Can't argue with that, you should check out that program.

Cheers

[73hunter]

Why not just have hydro at a reasonable price for everyone.

My view is that we should be paying the real cost of hydro, whatever it is, without any shell games. Sadly, I doubt if it will ever happen.

Check out the Gridwatch site today ....Ontario in the last hour exported 25% of what was generated, and I believe we are paying other jurisdictions to take whatever power we pay for but we cannot use

[trimmer21]

I'm retired,too. Our hydro bills were fairly consistent averaging between $80-$110/month for 2018-19 (Hydro One direct). I've swapped out all our lights for LED's including outdoor motion detectors and garage shop lights. This past month,our hydro bill was still $80,so,I'm assuming there'll be an increase when rates resume to normal ($90-$120/month). Now,if that sounds about right,I have to tell you that I have an all gas home (2100 sq.ft.). All we run on electricity is lights,the dishwasher and washing machine. My gas bill is on equal billing of $92/month. At the end of the year,they usually owe us a couple of months.

[Fisherman]

I'm retired,too. Our hydro bills were fairly consistent averaging between $80-$110/month for 2018-19 (Hydro One direct). I've swapped out all our lights for LED's including outdoor motion detectors and garage shop lights. This past month,our hydro bill was still $80,so,I'm assuming there'll be an increase when rates resume to normal ($90-$120/month). Now,if that sounds about right,I have to tell you that I have an all gas home (2100 sq.ft.). All we run on electricity is lights,the dishwasher and washing machine. My gas bill is on equal billing of $92/month. At the end of the year,they usually owe us a couple of months.

I'm just a bit less than you with the electricity, gas about the same although my cook top is induction and a small electric wall oven. I do the pay as you go on gas but works out to about the same.

[longpointer]

Yes Glen in an ideal world everyone in Ontario should get cheap hydro but back to reality our government is going to stick it to us one way or the other.
Smitty ; Thanks for the info ! I will be looking into that.
Thanks for the comments guys ! All good points of view.
My place is a 3 bedroom brick house out in the middle of nowhere with Hydro the primary heating with a wood insert fireplace. Natural gas is not an option. All the lighting is LED and thermostats are set at 15 degrees C in rooms I don't use; plus plastic film to cover most windows (really helps). I followed the times as per rates and did laundry on weekends and cooked supper after 1900hrs. but still had 300 dollar plus bills because Ford jacked the rates. Which basically added 1200 dollars a year to my hydro bill. My last bill is 175 bucks due to the currant price break but before you know we will be in the air conditioning season and of course the rates will go back to what they were before the COVID Crisis. Not looking for a free ride but a seniors discount would be nice ? LoL !