WNH Welcome Package - Updated Edits · 2018-11-30 · Central Air Conditioner At the hottest times of the year, central air conditioners can account for up to 1/3 of Ontario’s electricity

WELCOMETO WATERLOO NORTH HYDRO

wnhydro.com

WE ARE YOUR LOCAL DISTRIBUTION COMPANYWaterloo North Hydro Inc. is a municipally owned hydro distribution company serving the City of Waterloo, the Township of Wellesley and the Township of Woolwich.

Our mission is to create value for customers and shareholders by providing safe and reliable electrical distribution services at competitive rates.

WHAT WE DO

Waterloo North Hydro Inc. 2

Customers

Service territory

Fleet vehicles

Poles in service territory

Employees

57,000

672 km2

60

21,490

124


WELCOME TO WATERLOO NORTH HYDROWe’re excited to serve you!This Welcome Guide is designed to provide you with everything you need to know about your account, saving energy, safety and Waterloo North Hydro.

If you have any questions, please call us at 519-886-5090 Monday to Friday 8:30a.m - 4:30 p.m., drop by our off ice at 526 Country Squire Road in Waterloo or email us at [email protected].

WHAT’SINSIDE

Understanding Your Bill

My Account Online System

Time-of-Use Rates

Payment Options

Energy Saving Tips and Tools

Energy Eff iciency Programs

Top 10 Energy Saving Tips

Power Outage Information

Emergency Preparedness

Electrical Safety

Online Tools

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Connect with us:

wnhydro.com

[email protected] 519-885-6840

/wnhydro @wnhydro


YOUR BILLThe charges on your electricity bill go to diff erent places. Your monthly electricity bill includes three diff erent types of charges. Each bill contains delivery, elecricity and regulatory charges. The pie chart below helps to explain where your money goes each month and which portions of the bill Waterloo North Hydro is responsible for. For a detailed breakdown of the charges on your bill, please visit wnhydro.com/rates.

YOUR BILL EXPLAINEDTo make undertstanding your bill easier, we have a handy interactive bill tool available on our website. Visit wnhydro.com/newbill to take a closer look at the various compo-nents of your monthly bill.

Electricity The cost of electricity supplied to you during the billing period.

Delivery - DistributionThe cost of delivering electricity from the transmission system to your home or business

Delivery - TransmissionThe cost of the transmission system that carries electricity from generating stations

*Percentages are based on an average residential monthly bill with consumption of 800 kWh

RegulatoryCost of administering the wholesale electricity system and conservation and renewable energy programs province-wide

HST

58%28%

6%

5%3%

MY ACCOUNTWant to learn more about your energy consumption?


As a Paperless Billing subscriber you will receive an email notification as soon as your bill is ready. Visit www.wnhydro.com/my account to access your bill details, review your consumption and much more!

What Can You do with My Account?• Monitor your hourly, daily, and monthly consumption

• View your bill and manage your payment history

• Compare your consumption from month-to-month to help track your progress at saving energy

• See how the weather influences your usage

wnhydro.com/myaccount

Safe and SecurePaperless Billing is a safe and secure option for receiving your bill

Access anywhereAccess your bill and account info on the move from anywhere

Fast and Efficient No more waiting for the mail. Receive your bill instantly

Don’t miss a paymentStay on top of your payments with paperless bills and pre-authorized payment


TIME-OF-USE RATESYour electricity charges are calculated using Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates set by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). TOU Rates are set twice a year on May 1 and November 1. For up-to-date TOU pricing, please visit wnhydro.com/rates.

Here’s An Idea!Run large appliances during off -peak hours

Try shifting your schedule to run your dishwasher or do your laundry during off -peak hours, typically after 7 p.m. or any time on weekends and when energy costs are at their lowest.

1 kWh=

Use your laptop for 20 hours

Use your refrigera-tor for five hours

Use a ceiling fan for three hours

Use your oven for 30 minutes

Use an electric furnace for three minutes

Wash three loads of laundry

What Does My Electricity Do?

Use your central air for 12 minutes

Play five hours of video games

Electricity charges are billed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). To use one kWh you would have to use 1,000 Watts of power for one hour, or 1 Watt of power for 1,000 hours.


PAYMENT OPTIONSWaterloo North Hydro offers a number of payment options for your convenience. Choose the type of payment that makes is the best fit for you. For full details on payment options, visit wnhydro.com/paymentoptions.

BILLING SUPPORTIf you are a customer of an electric utility and in a lower income home, you may qualify for a reduction on your electricity bill through the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP). Visit www.ontarioelectricitysupport.ca for more information

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) provides assistance to low-income families and individuals in our community who require financial assistance to pay their heating and hydro bills. Visit www.wnhydro.com/leap for more information.

The Government of Ontario’s Affordability Fund is available to customers requiring assistance to make energy saving upgrades to their home. Participants may qualify for free upgrades, including ENERGY STAR certified LEDs and appliances. Visit www.affordabilityfund.org for more information.

For more information on financial assistance programs available to you

Call us today at 519-885-6840

Credit CardPay using VISA, Mastercard or American Express

Pre-Authorized PaymentOn the due date the amount will be automatically withdrawn from your account

MoneygramPay your bill at the nearest Canada Post location

Bank PaymentPay online or at your financial institution

Pay At The OfficeDrop by our office to pay your bill

LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM


ENERGY SAVING TIPS AND TOOLSWe want to help you keep your energy consumption as low as possible and encourage you to take advantage of a number of no or low-cost ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency and lower your total energy costs.

Much of your home’s energy usage comes from a few major appliances. Here are some helpful suggestions to help you lower energy usage in these larger energy using appliances.

Refrigerator and Freezer

Older, inefficient refrigerators can cost over $10 per month in electricity to operate. We recommend replacing inefficient older fridges and freezers or any secondary fridge or freezers with ENERGY STAR® fridges or freezers. However, if you’re not in the market for a new appliance, these tips will also help lower your energy consumption.

• Regularly vacuum coils to remove any dust or debris that could make your fridge and/or freezer work harder

• Keep the temperature in your fridge between 2 and 5 degrees Celsius. The temperature of your freezer should be -18 degrees Celsisus

• Don’t overload your fridge or freezer. Both appliances are most efficient when they are filled properly

Dehumidifier

Dehumidifers are a large part of your house-hold energy usage. Upgrade to an ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifier that:

• Have more efficient refrigeration coils, compressors, and fans

• Remove the same amount of moisture as a conventional dehumidifier, but use nearly 30 percent less energy

Clothes Dryer

Electric clothes dryers use three times more energy than your washing machine, but by following a few easy tips you can lower your monthly usage and reduce your total costs

• Dry your clothes on an outdoor clothes-line during warmer months

• Only use your dryer during off-peak Time-of-Use periods

• Dry full loads, but don’t overload your dryer


Central Air Conditioner

At the hottest times of the year, central air conditioners can account for up to 1/3 of Ontario’s electricity demand. We can help you cut down on your costs while beating the heat with these tips:

• Keep windows and doors closed when your Air Conditioning is on

• Keep your blinds and curtains closed during the day to help lower the tem-perature of your home by shielding out the sun

• Install a ceiling fan to help circulate cool air throughout your home

• Use a programmable smart thermo-stat to schedule your air conditioning to run during off or mid-peak periods

• Change the fi lter monthly

• Don’t plant fl owers or shrubs within a meter of your air conditioning unit to prevent your unit from overworking

Pool and Hot Tub

Pool and hot tub pumps are among the highest energy consumers in your home. Help manage your electricity usage by switching to a variable-speed pool pump and receive a $400 rebate through the Poolsaver Program while saving up to $2,960 in energy costs over the next ten years.

We also recommend the following actions:

• Keep your pool and hot-tub covered when not in use

• Use timers to operate your pumps and heaters so you can run them during off -peak periods when prices are at the lowest

Use the Right Appliances for the Job

Saving energy can be as simple as selecting the right appliance at the right time. Use your barbecue instead of your stove top for meals whenever possible to lower your consumption. If you’re cooking a small meal, try a microwave oven, toaster oven or slow cooker, they also use less energy than electric stoves.


ENERGY SAVING TIPS AND TOOLSThere are many different factors that contribute to higher electricity bills. Theage and condition of appliances, weather, and usage during mid and on-peakperiods can all impact your monthly bill.

We’d like to help you keep your consumption as low as possible. Here are anumber of tips designed to help you better manage your energy consumptionand keep your costs down.

For more energy saving tips, visit:

www.wnhydro.com/energyefficiency


ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMSWaterloo North Hydro is proud to support our customers in their efforts to save money on energy costs. Great habits start at home and every member of your family can do their part. Start saving today.

Heating & Cooling Incentive ProgramSave up to $850 with furnace and air conditioning rebates and live more comfortably. Electric heating? Get up to $4000 in heat pump rebates.

Upgrade your heating and cooling system and you could save you up to $325 a year in energy costs. Install a heat pump and reduce your heating costs by up to 50 per cent. Visit wnhydro.com/en/conservation/heating-and-cooling-program.asp

Save on Energy Deal DaysSave instantly when your purchase energy efficient products, including LEDs, power bars, dimmer switches and more. Visit a participating retailer during Save on Energy Deal Days to save instantly and enjoy energy savings all year-round.

To see a list of energy saving products and find a participating retailer near you visit wnhydro.com/dealdays

Poolsaver ProgramAre you a pool owner? Most constant-speed swimming pool pumps run 24/7, often at a higher speed than necessary. That’s a big opportunity to save electricity! Replace your con-stant-speed pool pump with a variable-speed pump today and receive a $400 rebate through the Poolsaver Program.

Find out more about how you can save money and lower your electricity usage through this program at wnhydro.com/poolsaver


TOP TEN ENERGY SAVING TIPS

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Use LED Bulbs

Install a ProgrammableThermostat

Replace Your Old Refrigerator or Freezer

Get Rid of Your Second Refrigerator

Wash Your Laundry in Cold Water

One light emitting diode (LED) can save you three times its purchase cost in electricity.

During the heating season, set your programmable thermostat to automatically lower the heat by a few degrees at night or when you are away.

Refrigerators and freezers are two of the biggest electricity users in your home – these old, inefficient appliances can cost well over $10/month in electricity. When purchas-ing a new one, be sure to check the EnerGuide label and look for the ENERGY STAR® symbol so you are certain of energy savings.

It may be convenient having an extra refrig-erator, but those cold beverages are costing you up to $125 per year.

You can save energy and money by washing all of your laundry in cold water. If you current-ly both wash and rinse in warm water, and you switch entirely to cold, you could save over $14 a month (based on electric water heating).


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Look for the ENERGY STAR® Label

Eliminate Drafts in Your Home

Use Motion Sensor Switches and Timers

Use LED Seasonal Lighting

Rely on Your Fans

Install Insulation

ENERGY STAR® is an international symbol that identifies many energy efficient products. The ENER-GY STAR® symbol helps businesses and consumers identify products that are at the “top of their class” in energy efficiency.

Air leakage around windows, doors, vents and electrical outlets can account for as much as 25% of your total heating costs. That means there are significant savings available if you caulk and weath-er-strip windows, doors, dryer and other vents.

To avoid leaving your outside lights on for long periods of time, install a motion sensor that turns the lights on automatically when someone approaches the house and then turns the lights off after a pre-set period of time.

Using LED lights both inside and outside your home, during the holiday season, is a great way to conserve energy and save money. LED lights use up to 95% less energy and last at least seven times longer than regular lights.

Use fans instead of air condi-tioning when possible. Fans cost pennies to operate and can lower the temperature in the room by up to 2°C.

You can save energy and money by increasing the amount of insulation in your home, to keep it warmer in the win-ter and cooler in the summer. The attic and basement are good places to start.


POWER OUTAGE INFORMATION

Waterloo North Hydro provides reliable electrical service to all homes and businesses within our service territory. From time to time, outages can occur. Most power outages are unintended, brief and the result of extreme weather. In some cases, outages are planned in order for Waterloo North Hydro to perform maintenance and service.

If your power has gone out or you’re having trouble with your electricity please check the Outage Map for current power outage updates. The Outage Map is an interactive, real-time interface consisting of a familiar street level base map that provides customers and stakeholders with the opportunity to see outages across Waterloo North Hydro’s service territory in a web and mobile friendly interface.

The Outage Map will show current and historic, planned and unplanned outages and will provide the following information:

• Geographic location of the outage

• The cause of the outage

• Approximate number of customers impacted

• Estimated time for restoring power, and details outlining the restoration of power

Visit wnhydro.com/outagemap for real-time outage updates, call 519-886-5090 to report an outage.


EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESSSafety is always the top priority in severe weather or during power outages. There are a number of things you can do to make sure you and your family are prepared in the event of a prolonged outage or extreme weather event.

Remember....

Never touch downed wires or low hanging wires. Telephone or cable television wires that touch a power line can be deadly. Stay at least 10 metres, or the length of a school bus, away from downed power lines and in an emergency call 911.

Never try to make your own electrical repairs to Waterloo North Hydro equipment. Let our dedicated and highly trained crews do the work. If you require repairs to your home’s electrical equipment, visit esasafe.com to fi nd a Licensed Electrical Contractor.

Here’s An Idea!Make a PlanEvery household needs an emergency plan. It will help you and your family know what to do in case of an emergency. It will take you about 20 minutes to make your plan.

Your family may not be together when an emergency occurs. Plan how to meet or how to contact one another, and discuss what you would do in diff erent situations.

For tips on making your family’s emergency kit visit getprepared.gc.ca

Prepare an Emergency Kit Prepare for at least 72 hours with the following:

Know the risks Get a kit Make a plan

• Manual can opener• Prescription drugs, contact solution • Extra cash• Non-perishable food such as canned

goods• Sleeping bags• Toilet paper, other personal toiletries • A loud whistle• Battery Charger for Cell Phone and por-

table battery bank

• Flashlights and batteries • Battery operated radio and clock• Cell phone • Candles and waterproof matches

or a lighter• Blankets, coats, hats and gloves • Plastic garbage bags• First aid kit • Bottled water

3m

of WNH customers understand the dangers of touching a live power line

98%of WNH customers knew how far to stay away from overhead powerlines

75%of WNH customers knew what to do if their car came in contact with a powerline

81%

3m


ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Look Up! Look Out!When using ladders, stay at least 3 metres (10 feet) away from all overhead powerlines.

Be aware of your surroundings and avoid contact with overhead lines by maintaining a safe distance at all times.

Don’t Tamper with Electrical EquipmentTransformer boxes are not a toy! Keep children away at all times and ensure you keep plants and shrubs at least three metres from the front and one metre from the back and sides of the transformer box.

What to do if a powerline contacts your vehicleShould a power line fall on your vehicle, stay inside until help arrives. Only get out of your vehicle if there is a fi re hazard. If you must exit, jump clear of the vehicle with both feet hitting the ground at the same time and shuff le away with your feet always touching the ground.

It’s the Law!Call or Click Before You Dig

Call Ontario One Call at least fi ve business days before starting your project to receive your free locate.

Visit on1call.com to complete your locate request online or call 1-800-400-2255 to request your free locate today.


Moving? Let us Help!We can’t help move your couch, but we can help make your move easier. If you’re moving within our service territory, fi ll out our easy to use online form and cross one more item off your to-do list:

wnhydro.com/yourmove

ONLINE TOOLS

Report a Problem with a StreetlightWe appreciate you letting us know about streetlights that need service. If you notice streetlights that are always on, always off , cycling, or in need of repair, please complete our online form:

wnhydro.com/streetlight

Complete a Service Request FormDo you require help with the electrical system at your home or business. Visit us online to schedule your service request today:

wnhydro.com/servicerequest

Register as a Critical Care CustomerIf your life, or the life of a loved one, de-pends upon electrically-powered medical equipment, such as a ventilator or a dialy-sis machine, please let us know. By letting us know, we can place you on our Critical Care Customer Notifi cation List:

wnhydro.com/criticalcustomer

We understand that you are busy and we strive to improve your experience with us by providing online tools to help make completing service requests easy and eff icient.


19 Waterloo North Hydro Inc.

Waterloo North Hydro Inc. 526 Country Squire Road Waterloo, ON N2J 4G8Phone: 519-886-5090Fax: 519-746-0133

[email protected]

519-885 -6840 [email protected]

[email protected]

519-886-5090 [email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.on1call.com1-800-400-2255

Main Office

Billing

Customer Support

Credit Services

Energy Efficiency

Engineering

Operations

Locate Request

CONTACT US


526 Country Squire Road

Waterloo, ON

N2J 4G8

Connect with us:www.wnhydro.com

facebook/wnhydro

Twitter: @wnhydro

519-886-5090

Documents

WNH Welcome Package - Updated Edits · 2018-11-30 · Central Air Conditioner At the hottest times of the year, central air conditioners can account for up to 1/3 of Ontario’s electricity