Sub-metering Council of Ontario Implements Winter Disconnection Ban

TORONTO, Feb. 5, 2019 /CNW/ - In 2016, the previous government implemented a policy regarding electricity disconnections during the winter period. The policy was focused on single-family homes and buildings served by Ontario's local distribution companies, but did not include Ontarians living in multi-residential buildings served by Unit Sub-Metering Companies.

The Sub-metering Council of Ontario (SCO), the voice of Ontario's leading private sub-metering providers, has been an active participant in providing policy input in connection with the Ontario Energy Board's (OEB) two-year review of customer service rules for local distribution companies and unit sub-meter providers. In light of the OEB's ongoing review, which includes a review of processes and requirements around disconnections, the SCO is proactively implementing a suspension of disconnections during the winter period to match the current period for customers served by local distribution companies. 

Electricity disconnections are an absolute last resort when all other options to obtain payment from customers for their electricity consumption have failed.  Nevertheless, the SCO is moving forward with this policy effective today.

Members of the SCO empower our customers with the tools and information they need to manage their energy use.  We are committed to working with our customers by delivering excellent service, including everything from developing alternative payment arrangements, to helping customers access support programs such as the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), and working with social service agencies.  Over the last two years, Ontario's sub-metering industry have proactively enrolled thousands of qualifying customers into the province's OESP program, which provides a credit to customers that helps lower their hydro bill. 

In 2008 the industry developed a Code of Conduct that was adopted by the Ontario Energy Board in July 24, 2008. The Unit Sub-Metering Code was updated in 2010 and again in 2016 to address an expanding industry.   

Sub-metering is Ontario's most successful conservation program.  Sub-metering, also referred to as suite metering, uses meters to measure the consumption of electricity by each individual unit.  Sub-metering allows occupants to take control of their commodity use with access to accurate and detailed information about their consumption allowing them to understand, monitor and conserve. Sub-metering generates electricity savings of up to 40% in multi-residential buildings, and significant reductions in GHG emissions.

Ontario's sub-metering industry serves over 325,000 customers with monthly fees that are competitively negotiated and are commonly 10 to 40 percent lower than the local utility, making Ontario's independent sub-metering industry the lowest cost option for multi-residential customers.  All SCO members are licensed by the Ontario Energy Board.

SOURCE The Sub-metering Council of Ontario

Chris Holz, Campbell Strategies, T: 416-368-7353 x 104, E: [email protected], www.submeteringcouncilontario.ca