Rate Hikes a Wakeup Call
It’s been one of the coldest and harshest winters on record here in Ontario. While we’ve had the assurance of a warm home, Enbridge Gas Distribution reports that this assurance is about to come at a much steeper price.
As of March 2014, Enbridge has officially petitioned the Ontario Energy Board for a 40% increase in natural gas rates, putting a significant strain on Ontario homeowners. The proposal could result in you paying up to $400 more annually for your home heating needs.
Price Hikes Don’t End with Gas
And gas isn’t the only utility to see a rate hike. Ontario’s Energy Minister, Bob Chiarelli, has also reported that the increase in gas prices will lead to many gas-fired power plants in the province operating at higher cost. He warns Ontario homeowners that they could see their electricity rates rise as well.
While a rate increase is out of our hands, there are steps you can take to lower your energy consumption to avoid the most damaging aspects of your utility bill.
Are Your Appliances Inefficient?
Ontario Energy Group has a few tips to help you assess your energy usage, and; in particular, how efficient your boiler and heating utilities are running.
Cold Spots in Your Home
Ever notice that some rooms in your home don’t heat as well as others? While larger rooms take longer to heat up, having one room which is always cold or barely gets warmer when the heater is on could indicate a problem with your heating unit. You may have an air leak in your heater, which prevents a clean flow of air to certain vents in your home. This results in a heater that consumes gas but isn’t providing heat.
Compare Your Bills from Previous Years
Many people don’t think to look at their gas bills to see how they’re consuming energy. Do yourself a favor and save old gas bills. When you have time, go over your bills to see any underlying trends in your consumption. While having slight differences in your bill from year to year is common, a significant jump in usage could indicate that something is wrong with your unit.
Get a Professional To Assess Your Utilities
There’s only so much you can do yourself to save money. That’s why Ontario Energy Group is proud to offer you a free in-home energy assessment. With Enbridge looking to increase the price you pay for utilities, it’s time to assess everything in your home for the maximum efficiency in order to get the maximum savings possible.
