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As of Nov. 1, 2007, electricity rates for residential consumers in Ontario are set at 5.0 cents per kWh for the first 1,000 kWh per month consumed and 5.9 cents per kWh for energy consumed in excess of 1000 kWh. The premium threshold and prices will change again in May 1, 2008. This electricity generation cost, (electricity charge) however, actually accounts for only about half of your monthly electricity bill. For information on all the charges, click here.
Currently, there is one open-market suppliers of green energy in Ontario -- Bullfrog Power.
With Bullfrog, you purchase all of your electricity from them and you no longer receive a bill from your local utility (however, your local utility continues to do your meter reading and deal with any service issues). Bullfrog will bill you for your actual electricity consumption at a fixed flat rate as well as add the standard additional charges (debt retirement, distribution, etc.).
So you are paying a premium for zero emission green power, but also displacing emissions of smog and climate-change causing pollutants from conventional generators. The more green power you purchase, the more dirty coal power that is displaced from Ontario's electricity supply mix. The green power you purchase will be delivered to the Ontario electricity grid instead of dirty coal power. You don't need to make any changes to your home's electrical system to be a green power buyer.
Green Power Suppliers:
- Bullfrog Power sells Ecologo certified wind and water power at a one-year guaranteed rate of 8.9 cents per KwH. This rate applies to all the electricity you consume and is the total cost for the electricity portion of your bill. This means the green power premium you are paying currently ranges from 3.9 cents for the first 1000 kWh used per month to 3.0 cents per KwH for all power you use above 1000 kWh per month. There is no fixed period contract -- you can change to another supplier or back to your utility at any time.
Use the calculator below to see the cost and emissions impact of adding green power to your home. By purchasing green power, you are helping to reduce harmful emissions from coal-fired electricity generating stations.
Other options for "going green" with your power purchases include investing in Windshare's wind turbine projects or installing your own emissions-free solar or wind power. Of course, the best way to reduce emissions is to reduce your energy use -- see the pages in our "How to save energy, save money and save our air" section for more details.
Calculate
costs and emissions
Choose a supplier and the annual quantity of green power you want to add to your power mix. Then enter the number of kilowatt hours (kWh) you consume each month (the average home uses 860 kWh) and click "Calculate." The calculator will tell you the green power premium, total monthly cost and monthly emissions for the power mix you have chosen*
By purchasing even a small amount of green power, you are helping to reduce harmful emissions from coal-fired electricity generating plants.
*The calculator bases the monthly cost on power purchased over a one year period. Standard charges are based on Toronto Hydro rates. We have average the annual premium pricing threshold (1,000 kWh Nov. - May, 600 kWh May-Nov.) at 800 kWh.
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 1. Choose a supplier and annual green power quantity
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2.
Enter
the average kilowatt hours per month you use (the average home uses 860 KwH)*
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3.
Click Calculate
Monthly costs and emissions from this power mix
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