Residential Rates
Residential Conservation Rate
Most residential customers are charged under the Residential Conservation Rate. Residential customers under the Residential Conservation Rate receive service under rate schedule 1101 of the Electric Tariff.
Customers are charged one rate for electricity up to a certain threshold in each billing period, and a higher rate for all electricity use beyond that threshold. This "stepped" rate is designed to encourage conservation.
How your threshold is determined
On your bill, the threshold for the lower Step 1 rate is calculated by multiplying the number of days in the billing period by 22.1918 kWh per day.
Customer meters are read on different days so billing periods can vary from bill to bill. The 22.1918 kWh per day is the daily equivalent of 1,350 kWh for the average two month billing period.
For example, a 60-day billing period would have a Step 1 threshold of 1,332 kWh (60 days x 22.1918 kWh per day). A 58-day billing period would have a 1,287 kWh (58 days x 22.1918 kWh per day) Step 1 threshold.
Why do we have a Step 2?
The stepped rate structure provides a price incentive to encourage conservation—which is the cleanest, cheapest and simplest way to meet growing electricity demand.
Knowing how to read your BC Hydro residential customer bill is a good way to monitor and manage your electricity usage.
Basic charge A small, daily charge that partially covers the fixed cost of services for things such as metering and billing. |
$0.1835 per day. |
| Energy Charge | Step 1 $0.0829 per kWh for first 1,350 kWh in an average two month billing period (22.1918 kWh per day). Step 2 $0.1243 per kWh over the 1,350 Step 1 threshold. |
Rate Rider The Rate Rider covers additional and unpredictable energy costs resulting from, for example, low water inflows or higher-than-forecast market prices. |
5% Rate Rider applied to all charges before taxes and levies. |
Exempt Residential Service Rate for farms
The Exempt Residential Service Rate is available to eligible farms. If you are currently on the Residential Conservation Rate but your property is classified as a farm and the electricity is for farm use, you may be eligible for the Exempt Residential Service Rate.
Customers under the Exempt Residential Service Rate receive service under rate schedule 1151 of the Electric Tariff.
Basic charge A small, daily charge that partially covers the fixed cost of services for things such as metering and billing. |
$0.1957 per day. |
| Energy charge | $0.0993 per kWh. |
Rate Rider The Rate Rider covers additional and unpredictable energy costs resulting from, for example, low water inflows or higher-than-forecast market prices. |
5% Rate Rider applied to all charges before taxes and levies. |
Electricity service under the Exempt Residential Service Rate must not be used for:
- Any dwelling other than a single-family dwelling.
- The processing of farm products that aren't produced on your farm.
- The selling of farm products or other products to the public, other than from a small roadside stand.
- Any commercial use not normally carried out on a farm.
If you meet these eligibility requirements and wish to discuss your rate options, please contact us.
Please note that in the event of differences between the details noted here and the official Electric Tariff issued by BC Hydro, the official Electric Tariff will prevail.
