Knock Knock! They're Back!

Rebates, refunds and promises of a lower overall electricity bill. Energy retailers are knocking on your door and phoning you with offers. How can you intelligently deal with the issue?

FIRST

Find out who you are talking to. They should have a business card and be wearing photo id. KNOW that Thunder Bay Hydro and 'the government' does not send people to your door to discuss your rates, refunds, rebates or any part of your electricity bill.

SECOND

Compare the correct numbers. The rate for electricity being quoted is for the amount of electricity you use. You will need to add something called the "global adjustment" to that rate to properly compare it to the per kWh rates being offered to you as a Regulated Price Plan customer. All other charges on your bill are regulatory and will still apply.

Here's a great tool to do a proper comparison.Use the bill calculator found on the Ontario Energy Board website:

Find your utility, plug in an estimate of your monthly kWh use, and also plug in the electricity price offer from the energy retailer:

http://www.ontarioenergyboard.ca/OEB/Consumers/Energy+Contracts

Just scroll down to the part of the page that has a "Bill Calculator".

 

THIRD

Know that you have the right to review your decision and have a short window of time to get out of any contract. Read here. After that time, you will be legally bound to any contract you have signed.

Report any misrepresentation to the Ontario Energy Board.

This page last updated 2013-03-14.