Frequently Asked Questions
  1.   Why should I lock in at your fixed rates when my current rates are lower?
  2.   Does Canada Energy Wholesalers Ltd. have a retail license from the Ontario Energy Board?
  3.   What is the duration of the contract?
  4.   What parts of my bill does your service apply to?
  5.   Will I receive a separate bill from Canada Energy?
  6.   What happens if the government issues rebates to hydro users?
  7.   What is the difference between an interval meter and a cumulative meter?
  8.   I have an interval electricity meter (or "Smart Meter"), can I still get a fixed rate?
  9.   What happens if my cumulative meter is switched to an interval meter during my contract?
  10.   I am currently under contract with another electricity retailer. Do I have to wait until this contract expires before signing up with Canada Energy?
  11.   What happens if Canada Energy is sold, goes out of business or cannot acquire energy on my behalf?
  12.   What are the terms and conditions associated with Canada Energy’s energy contracts?
  13.   Are there any costs involved when I sign up with Canada Energy?
  14.   After I sign up, how long does it usually take before Canada Energy starts supplying my electricity?
Answers
  1.   Why should I lock in at your fixed rates when my current rates are lower?
  A.   The key consideration is that our energy rates are guaranteed not to change for many years. For example, our 5-year electricity rate will remain in effect until about October 2015 but the rate you pay now is likely to increase every six months.
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  2.   Does Canada Energy Wholesalers Ltd. have a retail license from the Ontario Energy Board?
  A.   Yes, our OEB Electricity Retailer license number is ER-2006-0184. You can verify our licensed status at the OEB Website. You can also validate our licensed status by calling the OEB at 1-888-632-6273.
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  3.   What is the duration of the contract?
  A.   The duration of our contracts vary. For large businesses, we offer contracts for a periods of 1, 2, 3 or 5 year terms. For small businesses, we offer 3 and 5-year electricity contracts. For residential customers our contracts are for 5 years.
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  4.   What parts of my bill does your service apply to?
  A.   Our Price Protection Plans apply only to the electricity commodity portion of your bill. You will continue to pay your local hydro utility for components such as delivery, transportation, storage, etc. Please see understanding your hydro bill.
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  5.   Will I receive a separate bill from Canada Energy?
  A.   No, we have an arrangement with your local utilities whereby they collect and forward the commodity portion of your bill to Canada Energy. You will continue to receive the same bill you get now.
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  6.   What happens if the government issues rebates to hydro users?
  A.   All government rebates will continue to be paid directly to you and will appear as a credit on your hydro bill.
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  7.   What is the difference between an interval meter and a cumulative meter?
  A.   Interval meters (often referred to as Smart Meters) are able to measure electricity consumption "Time of Use". Generally, electricity is more expensive during daylight hours and during weekdays than it is during the night and on weekends.
     Cumulative meters cannot determine when the electricity is consumed, they just provide a total consumption since the last reading. Interval meters allow utilities to charge more for electricity consumed during high-demand periods.
     Most residential users and small businesses have cumulative meters, large businesses tend to be on interval meters.
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  8.   I have an interval electricity meter (or "Smart Meter"), can I still get a fixed rate?
  A.   Yes, if you are a residential electricity user or a small business using less than 150,000 kWh of electricity per year, you can sign up for a fixed rate right away. Your fixed price will be the same low price we charge cumulative meter customers, even if most of your consumption occurs during high-demand periods.
     If you are a large user, we can still provide a fixed rate however the rate may be higher or lower than our normal rate, depending on your load profile. Please use our Interval Electricity Meter Signup form and we will contact you with the details about submitting a load profile.
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  9.   What happens if my cumulative meter is switched to an interval meter during my contract?
  A.   If you are a residential customer or small business (using less than 150,000 kWh per year) switching to an interval meter will not affect your fixed price. You will still benefit from our unbanded, guaranteed price no matter what time of day you use your electricity.
     Large businesses who sign up while on a cumulative meter, and later switch to an interval meter, may require amendments to their contract at the time of the switch. Prior to such amendments, customers will have a 15-day period during which they can cancel the agreement.
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  10.   I am currently under contract with another electricity retailer. Do I have to wait until this contract expires before signing up with Canada Energy?
  A.   No. The Canada Energy online electricity signup allows you to request a flow date up to one year in the future.
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  11.   What happens if Canada Energy is sold, goes out of business or cannot acquire energy on my behalf?
  A.   Your local utility is obliged to deliver electricity to you no matter what circumstances may arise with Canada Energy. In the unlikely event that Canada Energy cannot obtain electricity supply for your location, the local utility rates would apply.
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  12.   What are the terms and conditions associated with Canada Energy’s energy contracts?
  A.   The Electricity Price Protection terms differ depending on whether you are a residential user or small business using less than 150,000 kWh of electricity per year or you are a large business user whose consumption exceeds this threshold.
     Click on one of the following links to review our terms and conditions:
I use less than 150,000 kWh/Year     I use more than 150,000 kWh/Year
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  13.   Are there any costs involved when I sign up with Canada Energy?
  A.   For electricity contracts there is a one-time charge or credit applicable to any electricity customer who leaves the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) to join Canada Energy or any other electricity retailer.
     This amount will be added to or deducted from your hydro bill and is known as the "Final RPP Variance Settlement Factor".
     According to the OEB Website, an RPP consumer using an average of 1,000 kWh per month would have to pay $12.83 if they left the RPP in May 2010.
     This payment covers your share of shortfalls due to the fact that the OEB has set the RPP price too low in the past, which may require higher RPP prices in the future to make up for underpayments.
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  14.   After I sign up, how long does it usually take before Canada Energy starts supplying my electricity?
  A.   This depends on your local utility and your billing cycle. The switch-over must be processed by your local utility and will not occur until your hydro meter is read. This process generally takes 2 to 4 months.
     Don't worry if it takes a little longer, your price with Canada Energy is guaranteed from the moment you sign up.
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