Moving/Cancelling Service
If you are moving or discontinuing your service, please contact our Customer Service Department at 519-507-6937 or toll free at 1-866-978-2746 at least five business days in advance to ensure that we have adequate time to process your request.
Click Here for Westario's Residential Application for Service Form.
Security Deposit Requirements
The Retail Settlement Code, Section 7.4.3 provides Local Distribution Companies (LDC) the right to require a security deposit from all homeowners/tenants/commercial entities. A distributor may use any risk mitigation options available to manage customer non-payment risk. A distributor shall not discriminate among customers with similar risk profiles or risk related factors except where expressly permitted under the Distribution System Code.
Residential Security Deposits
Residential security deposits will be calculated using the billing cycle factor (2.5) times the customer’s average monthly load, at the location the customer is moving into, in the most recent 12 consecutive months within the last two years. Where relevant usage information is not available for the customer for 12 consecutive months within the past two years or the billing system is not capable of making the calculation, the customer’s average monthly load shall be based on a reasonable estimate made by the distributor. Deposits will be required only from those new customers who do not demonstrate reasonable credit worthiness, or from those existing customers who have proven poor credit. The distributor shall permit the customer to pay security deposit in 4 equal monthly instalments, the first instalment being due on the implementation of an implied contract or the signing of service agreement. The customer may pay the security deposit over a shorter period of time.
Interest will be credited to the customer account quarterly. The interest rate will be determined based on simple interest paid from the date of the deposit being received. Residential security deposits will be held until the customer no longer requires service, at which time, it will be applied to the customer’s final bill.
Return of the deposit will be considered annually providing the customer’s payment history reflects a one year history of prompt payments and is void of collection action. Deposits are added to the customers’ first bills. Any payment made is allocated first to the outstanding deposit amount required.
Methods of Payment
For your convenience, the following payment options of choice are available:
- Pre-Authorized Payment – Our most convenient payment method. With your permission, banks will deduct the payment directly on the due date of your bills.
- Equal Billing Plan – Available to standard supply service (SSS) customers only. Not available to those customers who elect to contract with electricity retailers (further information on this program can be found immediately following methods of payment).
- At any Bank, Trust Company or Credit Union within Canada – all banks will accept payments before the due date at the ATM machine or teller. Make sure you tear off the top portion of your bill to accompany the payment, otherwise the bank will not accept payment.
- Via the Internet/Telephone – all banks will accept payments using the contract number at top right hand corner of your bill 54321-001 or 01000123.
- By Post – Canada Post will deliver your payment and bill stub.
- At our Office – Front Door, 24 hour drop box will accept cheques only.
PLEASE NOTE: CASH PAYMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED AT THE OFFICE.
Why is My Bill Estimated?
Bills are estimated for one of several reasons:
- You have an inside meter and no one is home when the meter reader calls
- The meter is covered by trees or bushes, making an accurate reading difficult
- A gate, animals or driveway conditions prevent access to the meter
An estimated reading takes into account previous use and adjustments relating to the season. To avoid an estimated bill, and for the accounting of actual electricity pricing, we need your meter readings brought in, mailed via Canada Post, e-mailed to customer.service@westario.com or telephoned in within 24 hours of a card being dropped off.
Energuide For Houses Project
Want to Save Money, Save Energy and Save the Environment? Contact the Bruce Grey Environmental Resource Centre at (519) 369-1664 for a home energy evaluation from nationally-certified experts. Evaluations take approximately 2-3 hours, with daytime, evening and weekend appointments available.
Help Put an End to Energy Theft. Report It!
Please anonymously report persons you suspect of stealing electricity or tampering with electric meters. A slow-moving or stopped meter may indicate possible theft. By reporting your suspicions, you assist to decrease unnecessary distribution costs, and avoid thousands of dollars in losses each year. Your assistance in preventing theft of power will help to eliminate safety hazards and benefit all honest customers – like you! Just as important, meter tampering and theft also cause safety hazards for customers as well as Westario employees. |
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Account Set-Up Charge
A $30 charge plus GST is applied to all customers on their first bill when they establish a new account. This applies both to new customers to the Westario service area and to customers who have changed locations within the Westario service area. If a tenant moves out and the bill is placed back in the owner’s name during the vacant period, the Account Set-Up Charge will apply.
Billing Frequency
Westario Power residential meters are read and invoiced monthly. However, if you have recently initiated a new contract with Westario Power, your first bill could take up to a 60 day period before the bill is received. Your final bill could also take up to 60 days before the bill is received.
Exclusionary Clause
The utility will make every effort to ensure bills are accurate; however, billing errors can occur. The utility reserves the right to collect underbilled amounts at any time.
Equalized Billing Plan
A typical electric bill has its ups and downs as the seasons change. Westario Power’s Equal Payment Plan evens out your monthly bill – you make the same payment every month. There are no surprises, so it’s easier on your budget.
Here’s how it works. First, an average payment is calculated based on your past electric use. That average becomes your new monthly payment. You will still be aware of exactly how much electricity you use because your regular monthly bill will show your actual usage and your Equal Payment amount.
To sign on for the Equalized Payment Plan, download and mail your completed Pre-Authorized Chequing form or call our Customer Service Department at 519-507-6937 or toll free 1-866-978-2746 for assistance.
An Equalized Payment Plan is not available to customers currently under contract with an electricity retailer.
Billing Disconnection/Reconnection Policy
Westario Power Inc.’s business process dictates the following schedule for billing/disconnection/reconnection:
| Day 1 |
Invoice/Bill forwarded to
Customer |
Due Date is 16 days from
Statement Date |
| Day 21 |
Reminder Notice forwarded (minimum $50 invoice/bill) |
Payment of invoice or payment arrangement made with Customer Service Rep |
| Day 28 |
Disconnection Letter forwarded (minimum $150 amount outstanding) |
Payment of invoice or payment arrangements made on overdue amount with Customer Service Rep |
| Day 35 |
Disconnection of Service
performed |
If no payment arrangements are agreed upon, field activity commence |
After disconnection of service takes place, amount due will have to be paid in full in order for service to be restored. Confirmation of payment must be provided to our office by 3:30 P.M. in order for service to be reconnected the day of the payment. A reconnection charge of $65 + GST will apply to your next invoice. Reconnection of service does not take place after hours (4:30 P.M. to 8:30 A.M.).
Further to payment of overdue amount, the customer must re-establish a good payment history; therefore Westario Power Inc. requests a security deposit (see above-noted section addressing Security Deposits).
Please note, should a hydro service be disconnected longer than 6 months, the property owner must have the service inspected by an ESA representative.
Life Support Program
If your life, or the life of a loved one, depends on electrically powered medical equipment, please notify our office at (519) 507-6937 or toll free 1-866-978-2746. Your name and service address will be placed on our registry in cases of planned power outages.
Share the Warmth
Westario Power is proud to be partnering with Share The Warmth since 2005. Share The Warmth is a registered not-for-profit charity that purchases heat and energy assistance on behalf of low-income families, seniors, disabled and terminally ill persons in the Province of Ontario. Share The Warmth does not give money. Rather, Share The Warmth uses 100% of all public donations to purchase emergency heat and energy in the form of electricity, gas, oil, propane, kerosene and wood and ensures energy is delivered to low-income households in need. Customers requiring further information about this program can contact the following agencies:
YMCA Owen Sound: 519-371-9222
Salvation Army – Owen Sound: 519-371-0957
Salvation Army – Wiarton: 519-534-0353
Salvation Army – Wingham: 519-357-1951
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