Frequently Asked Questions

Why are smart meters being installed?

As part of the Ontario government's plan to create a culture of conservation, ALL utilities in Ontario must install Smart Meter on every residential home and small business by the end of 2010. Smart meters are one way to help meet the energy needs for Ontario.

What if I don't want a smart meter OR if I am with a Retailer?

The provincial regulations do not allow any customer or distribution company (Utility) to "opt out" of a smart meter. It is a condition of St. Thomas Energy's distribution license to be compliant with all provincial regulations.

If you are with a Retailer or will be in the future, you will still have a smart meter installed but your electricity rate will be determined by the terms of the contract you signed with the Retailer.

What is a smart meter?

A smart meter tracks how much energy you use every hour of every day. It then automatically communicates this information with a computer at your utility. The meter sends the information to your utility at least once every day. Smart meters will provide customers with the information they need to make decisions about how and when they use electricity.

When will the smart meters be installed?

St. Thomas Energy will begin installing Smart Meters April 19 and have all installed by the end of 2010.

•A notice will be left at the address on the day of the meter change.
•A door hanger will be left if we can't access the meter (inside meter or other issue, ie: gate locked)

Will someone still read my meter?

When your meter is first installed, a meter reader may continue to visit your house until our smart metering system is fully operational. You may also have a meter reader continue to visit your house to read your water meter. Only your electricity meter is changing to a Smart Meter.

When will the time-of-use prices take effect?

Time-of-use rates will be implemented November 2011.
You will receive advance notification before we implement Time of Use rates.

Will I see a Smart Meter charge on my bill?

The smart meter charge will be included in the Delivery Charge.

How will time-of-use prices affect my bill?

It all depends on your current consumption patterns and how much electricity you use at different times of the day. There are 3 time-of-use periods so consumption used during the On-Peak times will cost more than the Mid or Off Peaks times (summer & winter will have different peak times). There are a lot of very simple things you can do to conserve energy at all times of the day.

A few examples:

•Do laundry on off peak times (7 pm - 7 am or on weekends )
•Turn dishwasher on after 7 pm on weekdays
•Turn the thermostat for the air conditioner up a degree or two during the on-peaks periods
Some big electricity users in your home may be:

•Air conditioning
•Electric clothes dryers and washers
•Electric heating
•Electric stoves
•Electric water heaters

How do I read my smart meter?

•The 1st display on the meter looks like all “8’s”. This is a test display to ensure the meter display is working. After 6 seconds the next display will appear.
•The 2nd display is the one that shows your meter reading. The letter "kWh" will display on the far right of the screen. After 6 seconds the next display will appear.
•There may be a 3rd display which will appear once we have the meter registered and communicating to our system.
•The meter will rotate through these displays.