Utilities Kingston is committed to helping customers understand the services they receive for the rates they are paying. This article provides information to help consumers understand changes to their bills, effective May 1, 2014.

Many of our customers benefit from the convenience of one combined bill for all their utility services, which may include water, wastewater, gas and electricity. Utilities Kingston aims to provide the lowest possible rates to customers. (Did you know? Printing and mailing one combined bill is one way in which we achieve cost savings through the scope of services provided.)

May 1 Changes to Your Bill

 

Natural Gas

Effective May 1, 2014, there will be a 15 per cent increase to the commodity portion of the natural gas rate, or six per cent of the total natural gas bill. The unusually cold winter resulted in a high demand for natural gas, which increased the commodity price. This is a pass-through cost—Utilities Kingston does not profit from it—and it’s in line with increases implemented by the other major gas utilities in Ontario. Learn more about these changes to natural gas rates. Other Utilities Kingston gas rates are not changing.

Electricity

Effective on the same date, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), which regulates the electricity sector in the public interest, has approved an electricity distribution rate increase of approximately 2.0 per cent. Kingston Hydro uses this portion of the electricity rates to operate, maintain and replace existing infrastructure. As well, there is a 13.4 per cent increase in amounts Kingston Hydro pays to others for electricity transmission, resulting in an overall 5.1 per cent increase to delivery costs.

Additionally, the OEB is adjusting electricity prices to accommodate the rising costs of electricity generation. This increase to Time-of-use electricity rates is a pass-through cost. Kingston Hydro does not profit from this increase, but is required to charge it and then remit it to the Independent Electricity System Operator.

Learn more about changes to electricity rates and schedules.

What it Means for the Average Customer

The overall effect of these changes will:

• increase a typical residential gas bill (3,100 cubic metres annually) by an estimated $78 annually or 6.0 per cent on the total natural gas bill.
• increase a typical residential electricity bill (for a household with a typical consumption pattern of 800 kWh per month) by approximately $4.95 per month or about 4.0 per cent on the total electricity bill.

Customers who are on equal billing should anticipate a higher ‘true-up’ bill, and may experience higher equal billing amounts in future.

Help for Customers

The best way for customers to manage their utility bills is by saving water and energy, and by shifting their electricity use to off-peak times when it costs less. We can help.

Conserve water and energy; save money:

• View nearly one hundred conservation tips at www.utilitieskingston.com/ConservationTips
• Learn about financial incentives to save electricity and download money-saving coupons for electricity-saving devices at www.kingstonhydro.saveonenergy.ca
• View your household consumption of water, gas and electricity from the MyUtilities Customer Portal at my.utilitieskingston.com. See how temperatures affect your gas and electricity use and heating costs. Manage costs by shifting electricity use to off-peak periods.
• Utilities Kingston offers one-on-one help and financial assistance so you can better save water, energy and money. Call 613-546-0000 and say “Conservation”.  One of our conservation experts will be glad to help!

Trouble paying your utility bill?

The Low Income Emergency Assistance Program (LEAP) offers assistance to gas and electricity customers facing disconnection of services. Contact Utilities Kingston for further information.

Comments or questions?

Please contact customer service at info@utilitieskingston.com or 613-546-0000.