Also keep in mind that hydro providers also include distribution and customer charges in the monthly charges. Electricity is also subject to the Goods and Services Tax (GST). These charges will increase the final amount that you owe.

Part 3: Reading your meter

The electrical meter is usually installed by the hydro company on the outside wall of your house or in the basement. The meter records the number of kilowatt-hours you have used.

Newer meters are digital and quite easy to read. Older meters, however, use a four-dial display. Each dial on the meter represents a different place value.

• One complete revolution of dial #1 represents 10,000 Kwh (kilowatt hours)
• One complete revolution of dial #2 represents 1,000 kWh (kilowatt hours)
• One complete revolution of dial #3 represents 100 kWh (kilowatt hours)
• One complete revolution of dial #4 represents 10 kWh (kilowatt hours)

The electrical meter is usually installed by the hydro company on the outside wall of your house or in the basement. The meter records the number of kilowatthours you have used. The dials on the meter represent the place value.

Newer meters are digital and quite easy to read. Older meters, on the other hand, use a four-dial display. Each dial on the meter represents a different value of kilowatt hours.

• One complete rotation of dial #1 represents 10 Kwh (kilowatt hours)
• One complete rotation of dial #2 represents 100 kWh (kilowatt hours)
• One complete rotation of dial #3 represents 1,000 kWh (kilowatt hours)
• One complete rotation of dial #4 represents 10,000 kWh (kilowatt hours)

Instead of counting kilowatt hours, imagine that the meter is actually counting pennies. Dial #1 moves up one every time you put a penny on the pile.