Bill Calculations and Plan Choices
Moving house in Canada: setting up hydro and gas accounts, deposits and first bills
A checklist for moving utilities in Canada: closing and opening electricity and gas accounts, meter reads, security deposits, retailer contracts and first-bill checks.
When you move, close the electricity and gas accounts at the old address on your move-out date with a final meter read, and open accounts at the new address from your move-in date, ideally a week or two in advance. In Ontario and Alberta, decide at the same time whether to take the regulated default (Ontario's RPP or Alberta's Rate of Last Resort and Default Rate Tariff) or a retail contract, and check whether an existing contract can follow you or be cancelled. Expect a possible security deposit if you have no recent payment history with the utility, and check the first bill carefully: it often covers an odd number of days and may include a connection or account set-up charge.
This guide is part of comparing plans with worked examples.
Timeline checklist
| When | Task |
|---|---|
| 3–4 weeks before | Identify the utilities at the new address: electricity distributor (or BC Hydro, Hydro-Québec, etc.) and gas distributor |
| 2–3 weeks before | Request closing of old accounts effective move-out day; request opening of new accounts effective move-in day |
| 2–3 weeks before | If you have a retail contract (Ontario/Alberta), read its moving clause and decide whether to cancel or transfer |
| 1 week before | Confirm the dates in writing or in your online account; ask whether a deposit applies |
| Moving day | Photograph the meters at both addresses with the date visible on your phone |
| First 2 months | Check the final bill at the old address and the first bill at the new one |
Who to call
| Province | Electricity | Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Your local distributor (it varies by municipality; Hydro One in many rural areas) | Enbridge Gas in most areas |
| Alberta | A retailer, or the RoLR provider for your area if you do not choose one | A retailer, or the DRT provider for your area |
| British Columbia | BC Hydro (or FortisBC in parts of the southern interior) | FortisBC |
| Québec | Hydro-Québec | Énergir in most areas with gas |
In Alberta you sign up through a retailer or the default provider rather than the wires company; the UCA lists retailers and default providers by area. Your landlord or the seller's lawyer can tell you whether the unit is bulk-metered or sub-metered, in which case you may not open a utility account at all.
Security deposits
Utilities can ask new customers for a deposit if they cannot show a good payment history. Rules differ:
- Ontario: distributors follow OEB rules on security deposits, which limit the amount and require it to be returned after a period of good payment history; a letter of good payment history from a previous Canadian utility can often waive it. Low-income customers have additional protections.
- Other provinces: utilities set deposit policies in their terms of service approved by the regulator, such as BC Hydro's and Hydro-Québec's conditions of service.
Ask: how much, how it was calculated, whether a reference letter waives it, when and how it is refunded, and whether it earns interest.
Retail contracts when you move
Ontario: under O. Reg. 389/10, a consumer who permanently moves from the premises covered by a retail electricity or gas contract may cancel without cost or penalty. Notify the retailer in writing and keep proof. See cancellation rights.
Alberta: many retailers let you transfer the contract to a new Alberta address; others treat the move as an early exit. Read the contract, ask in writing, and compare with the default at the new address. The UCA explains switching steps and the 10-day cooling-off period for any new contract.
If you are not on a contract, you simply start on the default at the new address unless you choose otherwise.
Choosing a plan at the new address
A move is the right time to check your plan, because the new home's usage may differ a lot:
- In Ontario, new accounts generally start on TOU if the meter supports it; you can ask for tiered or ULO. Use TOU vs ULO vs tiered.
- In BC, choose tiered or flat, with or without time-of-day: see BC Hydro rates.
- In Alberta, compare offers with the RoLR using the contract payback tool.
- Ask the seller or landlord for the last 12 months of bills, or for the annual kWh and GJ, so you can estimate costs with the bill estimator.
First-bill checks
- Dates: start date matches your move-in.
- Meter number: matches the meter at your unit (important in duplexes and multi-unit buildings).
- Opening read: matches your photo.
- Plan: the price plan or contract you chose.
- One-time charges: account set-up or connection fees, if any, as listed in the utility's approved rates.
- Deposit: billed as agreed.
Mixed-up meters are a classic cause of very high bills for new occupants. If the bill looks wrong, see why your hydro bill is suddenly high.
Tenants
If your lease says you pay utilities, the account is in your name and you are responsible for it. If utilities are included, the landlord pays and you should not receive bills. If the building is sub-metered in Ontario, the sub-metering company is regulated by the OEB and must follow consumer protection rules; ask for its licence details and complaint process.
When you have the new home's usage, estimate the monthly bill from kWh and consider equal billing for the first winter.
FAQ
What if I forget to close the old account?
You remain responsible for charges until the account is closed, even after you leave. Close it as soon as you notice, and provide your move-out date and a photo of the meter.
Can I transfer my deposit to the new address?
Often, if both addresses are served by the same utility. Ask.
Is there a fee to open an account?
Some utilities charge an account set-up fee listed in their approved rates; it appears on the first bill.
Do I need to be present for the meter read?
Usually not; smart meters are read remotely.
Sources
- Ontario Energy Board — security deposits, sub-metering and moving
- Ontario e-Laws — O. Reg. 389/10 under the Energy Consumer Protection Act, 2010
- Utilities Consumer Advocate — retailers and default providers in Alberta
- BC Hydro — moving and opening an account
- Hydro-Québec — moving and conditions of service
