|
“Smart Talk” on Smart Meters
You may have received a notice on your door that your meter just got “smarter”. If you haven’t, you will soon. Orillia Power is in the process of installing the government-mandated smart meter on every home and small business in Orillia. This should be completed by the end of November of this year.
For now, nothing will change—your smart meter will continue to work just like your old meter with no immediate change to your electricity rates. You will continue to be billed the same way at the current electricity rates.
When the time-of-use rates are introduced, your new smart meter will measure how much electricity you use on an hourly basis and what time of day you use it. This means you will be able to track your energy use and shift some of your electricity use to periods of the day when the price of electricity is lower. This includes things such as using the dishwasher at night, doing laundry in the evenings or weekends and turning off the air conditioner during the day when no one is at home.
We will let every customer know in advance when time-of-use electricity rates are coming into effect and provide detailed information on how to take advantage of your smart meter and the new rate structure.
Note: If you currently have a contract with a retailer or sign one, you will receive a smart meter, but not be able to take advantage of the time-of-use rates.
What does my smart meter tell me right now?
If you have your smart meter installed, it displays three types of readings in a rotating sequence.
1. Power consumption in kWh
2. A system test is being performed when all digits are showing “0”
3. The current (amperes) flowing through the meter at that instant
Until Orillia Power begins using the time-of-use rates, your meter will continue to be read on a monthly basis and you will be billed at the current rates.
For more information visit:
www.smartmetersontario.ca
www.ieso.ca
|