PowerStream Notifying Customers to Expect Higher Summer Bills

VAUGHAN, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 13, 2011) - PowerStream is notifying its customers to expect their next bill to be higher due to increased consumption levels resulting from a summer that featured sustained high temperatures and humidity.

The high temperatures, combined with the humidity, increased the use of air conditioning, cooling equipment like refrigerators and freezers as well as dehumidifiers.

Customers without air conditioning may also see increases in their bill but might want to consider asking themselves the following questions to find out what may have caused this:

• Did you add any new appliances or other electronic equipment such as a big screen television or personal video recorder (PVR)?
• Did you operate your furnace fan to circulate air continuously or run your dehumidifier?
• Did you install ceiling fans or operate them more frequently?
• Did you spend more vacation time at home this summer or did you have visitors staying with you?
• Did you use more power during peak time-of-use (TOU) price periods? Consuming the majority of your electricity on weekdays between 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. during on-peak TOU price periods will increase your bill.
• Do you have a pool and operate the pump constantly rather than using a timer which will help you run it mostly during off-peak periods?
• Do you use secondary refrigerators or freezers? The age of your refrigerator and freezer can also impact the cost. If they are 15 years and older, consider having them removed for free
  through PowerStream's Fridge and Freezer Pickup program and have them replaced with higher efficiency ENERGY STAR^® qualified appliances.

PowerStream customers can view their electricity usage on-line, including their hourly consumption patterns, giving them a better understanding of how and when electricity is consumed at home. Those not already signed up for on-line account access can do so by visiting the PowerStream website at www.powerstream.ca.

For more information on ways to lower electricity bills through conservation, customers are encouraged to visit the PowerStream website at www.powerstream.ca/conservation.

About PowerStream

PowerStream is the second largest municipally-owned electricity distribution company in Ontario, providing service to more than 330,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. The communities served include Alliston, Aurora, Barrie, Beeton, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Markham, Penetanguishene, Richmond Hill, Thornton, Tottenham and Vaughan. PowerStream is an incorporated entity, jointly owned by the City of Barrie, the City of Vaughan and the Town of Markham.