Gas, Electricity, Water in Montreal

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Utilities are usually already established in a residence, you just need to set-up the proper account. This may be as simple as transferring a current account. Otherwise, you will need to establish an account by supplying your personal details (basic contact information, as well as a credit cart number or credit history) and signing a contract. If you do not have a credit history in Canada you may be required to pay a deposit on your account, or have a co-signer guarantee your account.

You will need to inform the provider of the date that you are moving in, change the name on the account, and establish that you account is separate from the previous occupant. Make an appointment at least a week in advance of your move to ensure service. On the moving day, you usually would read the meters on the property so the correct bills can be issued.

In many rental situation, services will be bundled and a collective bill will be issued once a month. These costs may be incorporated into the price of rent in some places. Utilities typically allow bills to be paid by cheque, internet banking, or pre-authorized payment.

Gas

Gas service is provided by the local gas utility in your area. A credit meter is usually supplied and regular bills are sent to the customer following meter readings. For new customers, the company may ask for some form of security in the form of a cash deposit, a guarantor or a direct debit arrangement.

Providers

For gas service, you will need to set up an account with the local gas utility. Customer service policies vary so shop around for the best company for you. Gaz Métro is the major natural gas distributor. 97% of the natural gas consumed in Québec is delivered by Gaz Métro. Southwestern Québec is also served by Enbridge Gas Distribution.

Rates

Monthly rates depend on usage, such as if gas or electric is primarily used for heating and cooking, size of the house, and people's habits. Expect to pay around $75-95 per month for a 2 bedroom accommodation. Natural gas customers typically have approximately 2 weeks to pay their bills before late payment charges start to apply.

Electricity

Hydro-Québec is a government-owned public utility established in 1944 by the Government of Québec. Based in Montréal, the company oversees generation, transmission and distribution of electricity for all of Québec. It is the largest electricity generator in Canada and the world's largest hydroelectric producer.

Electrical voltage in Canada is 110-120 Volts at 60 hertz and uses a 3-pronged North American Grounded plug.

Accounts

For electricity service, Hydro-Québec offers an easy online form.

The amount of the security deposit will vary depending on the utility's estimate of your monthly usage and on how often the utility bills is paid (monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly). The security deposit can be anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 times your average estimated bill. Security deposits can be paid in cash or by cheque, or pay the deposit in equal payments over a period of at least 6 months. The security deposit will be returned to you, with interest, after you have demonstrated one full year of good payment history with the utility, or upon closing of the account (whichever occurs first).

Rates

In apartment buildings, and in community residences containing dwellings or rooms, or both, electricity may be metered separately or in bulk, at the discretion of the owner or all the co-owners, as the case may be. For the application of this Distributor's Rates and Conditions, power and real power are expressed in kilowatts (kW); apparent power in kilovoltamperes (kVA) and energy (consumption) in kilowatthours (kWh).

Energy bills are sent either on a quarterly, bi-monthly or monthly basis, depending on your utility. Ask about your utility's billing policy when you open your account. Costs depends on if gas or electric is primarily used for heating and cooking, size of the house, and people's habits. Monthly electric bills range from $80-130 bills per month for a 2 bedroom accommodation. The minimum billing demand for each consumption period is equal to 65% of the maximum power demand during a consumption period that falls wholly in the winter period included in the 12 consecutive monthly periods ending at the end of the consumption period in question. If at any time you cannot pay your bill, call your utility right away to discuss possible payment options.

    Rate D - Residential and Agricultural
  • Fixed charge per day - 40.64
  • First 30 kWh per day - 5.32
  • Remaining consumption - 7.51
  • Demand charge, summer period (> 50 kW) - $1.26
  • Demand charge, winter period (> 50 kW) - $6.21

Summer period: The period from April 1 through November 30
Winter period: The period from December 1 through March 31 of the next year.

Complete rates can be found at: Hydro-Québec Rate Chart. Use the Dare to Compare tool to see at a glance if your household uses more or less electricity than the average household like yours. Tips and articles on saving energy can be found on saveonenergy.ca.

Water

Water supply and sanitation in Canada and Montréal is nearly universal and generally of good quality. Water use in Canada is high compared to Europe, since water tariffs are low and 44% of users are not metered.

Water utilities are commonly included in the rent of a property. This means that renters are not usually responsible for setting up or maintaining service, or paying an additional monthly bill.

Provider

For service in Montréal, call 311 (island of Montréal), Accès Montréal première ligne hotline at 514 872-2305, or 514 872-0311 (outside Montréal) to access city services on contact online.

Rates

In Montréal, consumers are billed for water consumed in excess of 100,000 cubic meters. The excess water consumption will be billed punctually after a meter reading. Rate per cubic metre is $0.22. Bills depend on individual families consumption.

Update 21/05/2013


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Comments

 Tabernak

04/11/2005

Water

The water in Montreal comes free.

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