Electricity rates are regulated in Nova Scotia. Specific rates can be found here
There are four rates structures that can apply to residential rental apartments or buildings:
1) The tenant pays their own bill (rate code 02, 03, 04):
Base connection charge - $10.83 / month + HST
Usage charge - $0.11796 / kWh( Kilowatt hours) used + HST
2) The landlord pays a non demand rate (Rate code 10):
This rate code is limited to a maximum annual energy use of 32,000 kWh
Base connection charge - $12.65 / month + HST
Usage charge - $0.13066 / kWh + HST for the first 200 kWh per month
- $0.11495 / kWh + HST for any remaining use
3) The landlord is billed on both energy usage and peak demand (Rate code 11):
Direct demand charge - $9.034 per kW (Kilowatt) of peak demand / month+ HST
Usage charge affected by demand - $0.09603 / kWh + HST –
For the first 200 kWh / kW
$.06781 / kWh + HST for remaining use
This billing structure is fundamentally different since your bill is now based on both the total amount of energy use as measured in kWh ( Kilowatt Hours) and the peak amount of power used (measured in Kilowatts) at any one time within a month. You will be charged a direct per kW charge for your peak kW usage each month. This peak monthly kW usage also is used to determine the number of kWh that must be purchased at the higher rate each month. It is extremely important that you understand how demand based billing structures work and what you can do reduce costs by limiting short duration periods of peak demand. Read the article below for more information.
4) Time of use rates (Rate code 06): If individually billed apartment units have specific heating equipment that can store heat overnight for daytime use, electricity can be purchased at half price overnight and on weekends. Electricity purchased during the peak of the heating season periods (weekdays in December, January and February) costs 50% more than regular rates. A specialized meter is also required that adds about $100 per year to connection costs.
UPDATED: 5 Jan 2009