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    With Time-of-Use electricity prices, when you use electricity is just as important as how much electricity you use.

    This simple guide for small business will show you how Time-of-Use prices work and how to make them work for you.

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The type of equipment you use, your hours of operation and even your business routines will all affect your electricity costs. Learn how.

Total Monthly Costs So Far

$0.00
Monthly
Savings

$0.00

Hourly Costs for a Typical Business Day (in $)

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weekdays  weekdays
off-peak    mid-peak   on-peak

weekends bar color green  weekends and holidays

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Business Type

What type of business do you run?

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Profile

Time-of-Use price periods change depending on the season. In Summer (May to October), on peak prices take place in the afternoon. In Winter (November to April), they occur in the morning and evening.

 
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Operation Hours

Which days are you open?

What are your operation hours on weekdays?

Operating hours on weekends?

 
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Heating and Cooling

What type of electric climate control do you use if any?

Consumption profiles are based on typical use for each appliance and are provided for informational purposes only. Your equipment and consumption patterns may differ from those shown here.

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Lighting

What type of lighting do you use?

Consumption profiles are based on typical use for each appliance and are provided for informational purposes only. Your equipment and consumption patterns may differ from those shown here.

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Equipment

What type of equipment do you run?

Consumption profiles are based on typical use for each appliance and are provided for informational purposes only. Your equipment and consumption patterns may differ from those shown here.

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Ideas to Conserve

Shift / conserve options

There are a number of opportunities for you to shift usage to alternate times. Select from the list below and click Apply to see your potential savings

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Next Steps

Now it’s up to you ...

Small Business

As you’ve seen with this online calculator, small steps to reduce or shift your energy use can deliver results. While this graph can only give you an indication of how much you can save through conservation, it can help get you started in the right direction. And don’t forget, there’s help to get you on your way to better energy efficiency:

  • Your Local Distribution Company is an excellent source of information and knowledge about various incentive programs.
  • The Ontario Power Authority offers a number of small business programs through local distribution companies:
        • The Small Business Lighting program provides up to $1000 to qualifying small businesses for energy-efficient lighting and equipment upgrades.
        • The Retrofit Program offers small businesses up to 50% of project costs for energy-efficient building retrofits such as high efficiency equipment and control systems.
        • By participating in peaksaver®, your local utility will be able to cycle down your central air conditioner or electric water heater for short periods to reduce demand during peak hours.
  • Natural Resources Canada provides grants and incentives for energy retrofits for small and medium sized business.

 

As you’ve seen with this online calculator, small steps to reduce or shift your energy use can deliver results. While this graph can only give you an indication of how much you can save through conservation, it can help get you started in the right direction. And don’t forget, there’s help to get you on your way to better energy efficiency:

  • Your Local Distribution Company is an excellent source of information and knowledge about various incentive programs.
  • The Ontario Power Authority offers a number of small business programs through local distribution companies:
        • The Small Business Lighting program provides up to $1000 to qualifying small businesses for energy-efficient lighting and equipment upgrades.
        • The Retrofit Program offers small businesses up to 50% of project costs for energy-efficient building retrofits such as high efficiency equipment and control systems.
        • By participating in peaksaver®, your local utility will be able to cycle down your central air conditioner or electric water heater for short periods to reduce demand during peak hours.
  • Natural Resources Canada provides grants and incentives for energy retrofits for small and medium sized business.

 

As more and more businesses make the switch to Time-of-Use Rates, they’re learning how to take control of the energy use – and their energy costs. By reducing or shifting their energy use during on-peak periods, they can avoid higher prices and contribute to a more sustainable and reliable energy system. If you are not sure whether you are paying Time-of-Use rates, check your bill or call your local distribution company

Time-of-Use rates

Soon, most Ontarians will be paying Time-of-Use rates. This means that electricity prices will change depending on what time of day it is or whether it’s a weekday or a weekend.

Times-of-Use rates are regulated prices set by the Ontario Energy Board and are reviewed every six months.

Here are the current prices, effective May 1, 2013 – October 31, 2013:

  • Off-peak: 6.7 cents/kWh
  • Mid-peak: 10.4 cents/kWh
  • On-peak: 12.4 cents/kWh

There are a variety of other online tools available to help you better understand Time-of-Use rates:

  • The IESO provides a calendar showing the various Time-of-Use price periods on its web site.
  • The commodity cost accounts for roughly half of your bill. The OEB offers on online calculator that will help you estimate all the charges on your bill.
  • Many utilities are also offering online access to hourly consumption data from smart meters. If you are already paying TOU rates, call your utility to find out if you can log-on and start to track your energy consumption online.