Understand your bill

Your EPCOR bill includes details about power, water and sewer services. To learn more about what the individual line items on your bill mean, see the examples below.

Occasionally, under special circumstances, a miscellaneous charge may appear on your bill.

​Your EPCOR bill breakdown​

​Electricity charges

The cost of electricity used during the billing period. Most Ontario residential and small business consumers who buy electricity from their utility are billed using time-of-use rates. The Ontario Energy Board sets these rates in accordance with the government's Fair Hydro Plan Act, which came into effect on June 1, 2017.

Regulatory charges

The regulatory charge reflects the cost of administering the wholesale electricity system and maintaining the reliability of the provincial grid. EPCOR does not charge a markup on this cost; it is paid directly to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

Provincial rebate

Effective November 1, 2019, the province of Ontario replaced the 8% provincial rebate with a new Ontario Electricity Rebate and revised bill presentment to better reflect the true cost of power. Most customers automatically qualify (residential and small commercial), but in some cases, you may need to complete a self-declaration form. Please contact us to discuss.

Water and sewer

This charge is directed to the Town of Collingwood. For any inquiries pertaining to water or wastewater, contact the Town at 705-445-1581 or water@collingwood.ca.

​Delivery charges in detail

Delivery charge

The cost of delivering electricity from generating stations across the province to your home or business through high voltage (transmission) and low voltage (distribution) power lines.

The Ontario Energy Board sets delivery rates for electricity utilities in the province. Some of the delivery charges are fixed, meaning the same amount no matter how much electricity you use in each month. Other charges vary depending on how much electricity you use.

Customer service charge

A fixed charge for costs related to meter reading, billing, customer service, account maintenance and general utility operations.

Distribution charge

A variable charge for the cost of building and maintaining the distribution system, including overhead and underground power lines, poles and transformer stations. Utilities file detailed rate applications with the Ontario Energy Board if they want to change this charge. By 2019, for most customers the distribution charge will be a fully fixed charge.

Transmission charge

A variable charge for the costs of transmitters to operate and maintain the high-voltage transmission system that carries electricity from generating stations to your utility.

Line loss adjustment

It is normal for a small amount of power to be lost as it travels over our power lines to your home or business. In calculating your electricity costs for the billing period, we multiply your electricity cost by an adjustment factor that accounts for those losses. We do this using an adjustment factor that is approved by the Ontario Energy Board. The charges for losses are included on the delivery line of your bill.