Hydro One Networks Inc. is Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution company, serving approximately 1.5 million customers across a vast geographic area. If your building is outside major urban centres, there is a good chance your local distribution company is Hydro One.
Submetering in Hydro One territory follows the same OEB regulatory framework as any other area in Ontario. The USMP passes through Hydro One's delivery charges with no markup, adds a separately disclosed service fee, and provides billing and customer service to residents.
Hydro One serves a diverse range of communities, from growing suburban municipalities to small towns and rural areas. Multi-residential buildings in Hydro One territory include suburban apartment complexes, townhouse developments, and smaller rental properties.
One consideration in Hydro One territory is that rate structures can differ from urban utilities. Hydro One has multiple rate classes, and the specific delivery charges depend on the customer classification. Your USMP should clearly identify which rate class applies to your building and pass through the correct charges.
For property managers in smaller Ontario communities, submetering may seem like something only large urban buildings do. In reality, submetering is feasible and beneficial for multi-residential properties of many sizes. The key requirement is a sufficient number of units to justify the installation.
Hydro One customers also have access to all Ontario bill assistance programs, including OESP and LEAP. These programs are available to eligible customers regardless of whether their building is in an urban or rural service area.
The practical benefits of submetering in Hydro One territory are the same as anywhere: fair billing based on actual usage, potential conservation improvements, and the shift of in-suite electricity costs from the building's operating expenses to individual residents.