Hydro One releases new tools to offer cost
certainty and customization
TORONTO, Aug. 17, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, Hydro One announced
it is providing its customers with the flexibility to customize
their account. Customers can choose their own billing due date,
flatten usage spikes from temperature fluctuations through balanced
billing, and monitor their electricity consumption by signing up
for early high usage notifications.
"Being in-tune with our customers' needs is more important than
ever. As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, customers
tell us that choice and flexibility will help them during this
difficult time," said Jason Fitzsimmons, Chief Corporate
Affairs and Customer Care Officer, Hydro One. "As a customer-driven
organization, we have an important responsibility to support
customers with relief, flexibility and choice."
According to recent research conducted by Angus Reid, 78 per cent of Ontario electricity customers said balanced
billing would help them better manage their finances. Balanced
billing flattens out the spikes in electricity usage that commonly
occurs in the summer due to air conditioning use and in the winter
due to heating.
The research also found that 72 per cent of customers would like
to pick their own due date to better manage their finances. This
feature is now included in Hydro One's new customization bundle,
which will be shared with customers through an awareness campaign.
Other customization tools include alerts when electricity usage
falls outside of the customer's normal pattern, the ability to
report outages online and the ability to receive text messages or
emails when outages occur. Customers can visit
www.HydroOne.com/Choice to learn more.
"Customers can pick and choose the tools that work best for
them. We are now able to offer a suite of features built for any
lifestyle," said Fitzsimmons.
In addition to these customization options, Hydro One has also
developed a number of customer support measures during COVID-19,
including a Pandemic Relief Fund to offer payment flexibility and
financial assistance to customers. The company is also extending
its ban on residential electricity disconnections to ensure that no
customer is disconnected at a time when support is needed most.
More information about Hydro One's Pandemic Relief Program can be
found at www.HydroOne.com/PandemicRelief. Customers can
continue to contact Hydro One to determine individual payment plans
and determine financial assistance programs available to meet their
needs.
Hydro One Limited (TSX: H)
Hydro One Limited, through
its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is Ontario's largest
electricity transmission and distribution provider with
approximately 1.4 million valued customers,
approximately $27.1 billion in assets as at December
31, 2019, and annual revenues in 2019 of approximately $6.5
billion. Our team of approximately 8,800 skilled and dedicated
employees proudly build and maintain a safe and reliable
electricity system which is essential to supporting strong and
successful communities. In 2019, Hydro One invested
approximately $1.7 billion in its transmission and
distribution networks and supported the economy through buying
approximately $1.5 billion of goods and services. We are
committed to the communities where we live and work through
community investment, sustainability and diversity initiatives. We
are designated as a Sustainable Electricity Company by the Canadian
Electricity Association. Hydro One Limited's common shares are
listed on the TSX and certain of Hydro One Inc.'s medium term notes
are listed on the NYSE. Additional information can be accessed
at www.hydroone.com; www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov.
Forward-Looking Statements and Information:
This press
release may contain "forward-looking information" within the
meaning of applicable securities laws. Words such as "expect,"
"anticipate," "intend," "attempt," "may," "plan," "will", "can",
"believe," "seek," "estimate," and variations of such words and
similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking
information. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance or actions and involve assumptions and risks and
uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual
outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed,
implied or forecasted in such forward-looking information. Some of
the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ
materially from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by
such forward-looking information, including some of the assumptions
used in making such statements, are discussed more fully in Hydro
One's filings with the securities regulatory authorities
in Canada, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Hydro One does not intend, and it disclaims any obligation, to
update any forward-looking information, except as required by
law.
SOURCE Hydro One Inc.