E-Plus rate updates
What is the E-Plus rate?
The E-Plus rate was introduced in 1987 as a discounted service for electric space and water heating for customers who met qualifying criteria, and was closed to new customers in 1990.
Residential E-Plus rate ends April 1, 2028
The Residential E-Plus rate (Rate Schedule 1105) will end on April 1, 2028. To allow customers enough time to adjust to the changes, the Residential E-Plus rate discount is being gradually reduced to zero over a 10-year period.
Starting on April 1, 2018, the average Residential E-Plus customer has seen an overall bill increase of two to three percent each year. This is in addition to any general rate increases that occur through the end of the phase-out period in 2028.
On April 1, 2028, customers will be transitioned to a standard residential rate. We'll notify Residential E-Plus customers closer to that date with more details on the rate transition.
Residential E-Plus customers are no longer required to maintain a permanent back-up heating system. You're able to replace existing space and water heating equipment, and your E-Plus service won't be interrupted. The E-Plus rate is still only available for space and hot water heating. You cannot add new load to the service and accounts can't be transferred. However, if you’re an E-Plus customer and you replace your home heating system with an energy-efficient electric heat pump during the transition period, you may use the heat pump for home cooling in warmer months. This will not affect your E-Plus rate eligibility.
We offer rebates and tips to help you improve your home's energy efficiency and save on electricity bills.
Commercial E-Plus rate ends March 31, 2023
Commercial E-Plus rates (Rate Schedules 1205, 1206 and 1207) will end on April 1, 2023. To allow customers time to plan and prepare for the rate change, we sent a letter to all affected customers in June 2019 to inform them about the upcoming rate change. This notice was to provide customers time to evaluate their existing heating systems and potentially change to more energy-efficient heating systems.
In contrast to residential customers, Commercial E-Plus rate customers will continue to receive the existing E-Plus rate discount until March 31, 2023, and will be switched to the appropriate General Service rate on April 1, 2023.
Commercial E-Plus customers are no longer required to maintain a permanent back-up heating system. You're able to replace existing space and water heating equipment, and your E-Plus service won't be interrupted.
The E-Plus rate is still only available for space and hot water heating. New load can't be added to the service and accounts can't be transferred.
We offer programs and incentives to help you improve your business' energy efficiency.
History of the E-Plus rate
The E-Plus rate was introduced in 1987 as a discounted service for electric space and water heating for customers who met qualifying criteria, and was closed to new customers in 1990.
Customers on the E-Plus rate (Residential Rate Schedule 1105 and General Service Rate Schedules 1205, 1206 and 1207) have been paying a discounted rate for separately metered electric heating. But the rate was available only on the condition that the E-Plus service could be interrupted when we didn't have sufficient energy to provide services.
E-Plus customers were also required to maintain a permanent back-up heating system. Since the beginning of the E-Plus rates, E-Plus customers had never been interrupted.
During BC Hydro's 2015 Rate Design Application, the B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) determined that maintaining a discounted rate for residential E-Plus customers could no longer be justified, and ordered the rate to be phased out over five years. However, in response to a request from some E-Plus customers, the BCUC reconsidered the decision and determined that the phase out will occur gradually over a 10-year period to allow customers enough time to adjust to the changes. The 10-year phase out period started in April 2018 and will end in March 2028.
Based on the BCUC’s decision on the Residential E-Plus rate, we determined that maintaining the Commercial E-Plus rate could no longer be justified either. The General Service E-Plus rate Special Conditions included an obligation for us to give customers 30 days written notice if we’re no longer continuing the rate. We provided nearly four years notice to assist customers with the rate change. Customers were notified in June 2019 that the Commercial E-Plus rate will no longer be available after March 31, 2023.