Density Reviews
We periodically conduct density reviews using a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool to identify clusters of customers who may require a rate reclassification as well as verifying that customers are properly classified according to density.
If you’re affected by a density review, we’ll send a letter with information on your new rate class as well as the associated bill impacts.
What is my rate class?
To determine your rate class, please check page two on your bill. Below is an example of a residential customer with a medium density.
Residential Rate Classes
(excluding Norfolk, Haldimand, Woodstock, Orillia and Peterborough service areas)
These classifications apply to year-round and seasonal residential properties.
Residential customers
A year-round residential property located in our service area is considered to be customer's principal residence and may include additional buildings served through the same meter, provided they aren't rental income units.
Residential seasonal customers
The residential seasonal service includes residential customers that don't meet year-round rate status. It includes dwellings such as cottages, chalets and camps. To qualify as a year-round residential customer:
You must live in this residence for at least four days of the week for eight months of the year and you must not reside anywhere else for more than three days a week during eight months of the year.
The address of this residence must appear on your supporting documents such as your driver's licence, credit card invoices, property tax bill, etc.
If you're eligible to vote in provincial or federal elections, you must be enumerated at the address of this residence.
In addition, you must represent and warrant that for as long as you have year-round residential rate status for this residence you won't designate another property that you own as a year-round residence for the purpose of our rate classification.
To help us determine whether you qualify as a year-round residential customer, we require you to complete and submit the
Declaration to Apply for Year-Round Rate Status Form.
How are rate classes assigned?
We base delivery rates for each rate class on the cost of delivering electricity to that type of customer and meeting their electricity supply needs.
For more information on rate classes, please refer to our Conditions of Service document (sections 2.4.1.1, 3.1.1. and 3.2) or call us at 1-888-664-9376 and we’ll be happy to help.
General Service Customers
The general service class applies to any service that doesn't fit the description of residential service. It's further divided into energy-billed (less than 50 kW) and demand-billed (50 kW or more) rate classes.
Acquired Customers of former Local Distribution Companies (LDCs)
Please note the rate classes shown below won't be part of any periodic density reviews.
Acquired Residential Rate Classes
These rate classifications apply to residential and seasonal properties in the service areas of the former Norfolk Power, Haldimand County Hydro, and Woodstock Hydro, which are utilities acquired by Hydro One after 2013. It may include additional buildings served through the same meter, provided they are not rental income units.
Acquired urban density - AUR
This rate classification applies to residential accounts in acquired service areas (after 2013) with urban density and currently includes customers in the former Woodstock Hydro Services Inc.'s service area.
Acquired mixed density - AR
This rate classification applies to residential accounts in acquired service areas (after 2013) with mixed-density (that is, combination of urban, medium and low density areas) and currently includes customers in the former Norfolk Power Distribution Inc. and Haldimand County Hydro Inc.'s service areas.
Acquired General Service Rate Classes
General service rate classification applies to any service that does not fit the description of acquired residential classes. It includes combination type services where a variety of uses are made of the service by the owner of one property, and all multiple services except residential.
Acquired urban density general service energy-billed - AUGE
This rate classification applies to non-residential accounts in acquired service areas (after 2013) with urban density and currently includes customers located in the former Woodstock Hydro Services Inc's service area, whose average monthly maximum demand is less than, or is forecast to be less than, 50 kW.
Acquired mixed density general service energy-billed - AGSE
This rate classification applies to non-residential accounts in acquired service areas (after 2013) with mixed-density (that is, combination of urban, medium and low density areas) and currently includes customers located in the former Norfolk Power Distribution Inc. and Haldimand County Hydro Inc.'s service areas, whose average monthly maximum demand is less than, or is forecast to be less than, 50 kW.
Acquired urban density general service demand billed - AUGD
This rate classification applies to non-residential accounts in acquired service areas (after 2013) with urban density and currently includes customers located in the former Woodstock Hydro Services Inc.'s service area and whose average monthly maximum demand is equal to or greater than or is forecast to be equal to or greater than, 50 kW.
Acquired mixed density general service demand billed - AGSD
This rate classification applies to non-residential accounts in acquired service areas (after 2013) with mixed-density (that is, combination of urban, medium and low density areas) and currently includes customers located in the former Norfolk Power Distribution Inc. and Haldimand County Hydro Inc.'s service areas and whose average monthly maximum demand is equal to or greater than, or is forecast to be equal to or greater than, 50 kW.
Former Orillia Power Distribution Corporation Rate Classes
Residential service rate class
This rate classification applies to an account taking electricity at 750 volts or less where the electricity is used exclusively in a separate metered living accommodation. Customers shall be residing in single-dwelling units that consist of a detached house or one unit of a semi-detached, duplex, triplex or quadruplex house, with a residential zoning.
General service less than 50 kW service rate class
This rate classification refers to a non-residential account taking electricity at 750 volts or less whose average monthly maximum demand is less than, or is forecast to be less than, 50 kW.
General service 50 TO 4,999 kW service rate class
This rate classification applies to a non-residential account whose average monthly maximum demand used for billing purposes is equal to or greater than or is forecast to be equal to or greater than, 50 kW but less than 5,000 kW.
Former Peterborough Distribution Inc. Rate Classes
Residential rate class
Residential class customers are defined as single-family dwelling units for domestic or household purposes. Semi-detached and row town-housing will be considered residential class if each individual unit is located on its own registered freehold lot fronting on the public road allowance. Each unit must have its own individual service connection from the road allowance and each main service disconnect is assessable from the unit which it supplies.
General service less than 50 kW service rate class
This rate classification applies to a non-residential account taking electricity at 750 volts or less whose average monthly maximum demand is less than, or is forecast to be less than, 50 kW. General Service class customers are defined as all buildings not classified as residential.
General service 50 to 4,999 kW service rate class
This rate classification applies to all buildings not classified as residential and having a service connection capable of load delivery equal to or above 50 kW or having an average monthly peak demand equal to or greater than 50 kW over a twelve month period, but less than 5,000 kW.
Large use service rate class
This rate classification refers to the supply of electrical energy to General Service Customers requiring a connection with a connected load or whose average monthly maximum demand used for billing purposes is equal to or greater than or is forecast to be equal to or greater than, 5,000 kW.
