Original Electric Utilities Did Not Operate Continuously

If you have an overdue balance on your utilities account(s) and received a Pending Disconnection Notice from your utility provider, you should immediately contact your provider to make a payment, request a payment arrangement or report any payments you have made to avoid a full disconnection of service and additional charges for future reconnection once the Winter Rules period ends in April.

Electricity Disconnection

Winter Rules

According to the Distribution Tariff Regulation (which is part of the Electric Utilities Act), electricity services can't be fully disconnected between October 15th and April 15th or at any time when the temperature will be below 0 degrees Celsius in the 24-hour period after the proposed disconnection. In these cases, a limiter can be installed on your meter. The disconnection rules do not apply to commercial meters.

Some distributors might fully disconnect services to units (apartments) in a centrally heated facility (apartment or condo building) any time of the year.

Load limiter

An electricity limiter is a device a distribution company installs on your meter after receiving a 'De-energize for Non-Payment' request from your retailer. The limiter allows your furnace and a few lights to run, so you can have heat during the winter.

If too much electricity is used at one time, the limiter will 'trip' and turn off your power. If you have a meter without remote capability, you can go out to your meter and turn it back on. If you have a meter with remote capability, your distribution company will automatically reset the power after a short period of time. This time differs between distribution companies and can vary from about 15-30 minutes. Limiters are also used on vacated sites to control the amount of electricity used.

Types of Limiters

Manual meters

There are typically two types of manual meters:

• A manual limiter with a reset button on the bottom of the device.
• A manual breaker-type limiter.

Remember:

• Tampering with the limiter is illegal, extremely unsafe and will result in additional service fees and full disconnection of service.
• The meter will include a tag with information on how to restore limited electricity. The tag may also be at the front door of the site.
• Manual limiters only provide 120 volts and 15 amps of service.
• Appliances that need 240 volts of power (e.g. electric stove or dryer) will not work.
• Reduce your electrical usage before turning the limiter on to prevent it from going off again.
• Unplug non-essential items (e.g. alarm clocks) if they don't have on/off switches.

If you have electrical medical equipment, ensure you have a back-up power supply as continuous electricity service to a site with a limiter is not guaranteed.

Remote-capability meters:

There is typically one type of remote meter:

• Virtual limiters that your distributor resets remotely 15-30 minutes after the limiter activates.

 Remember:

• Virtual load limiters provide 240 volts and 15 amps of service.
• You cannot reset them yourself.
• Load limiting will reset automatically after the disconnection cycle is completed (15-30 minutes).
• You will need to turn off all electronics that exceed 15 amps during the 15-30 minute disconnection cycle.
• Unplug non-essential items (e.g. alarm clocks) if they don't have on/off switches.

If the load is still over 15 amps, you will have 59 seconds of power and then it will disconnect again for another 15-30 minute cycle.

Removing a load limiter and restoring power

• Contact your retailer to pay your balance in full, set up a payment arrangement or to report any payments you have made.
• At the request of the Regulated Rate Option Retailer, the distribution company will remove the load limiting device.
• Reconnection typically takes up to two (2) business days, which do not include weekends or holidays.
• Full power will return once the limiter is removed.

Your power will not be fully restored until:

• you pay your account in full, plus a reconnection fee and a possible security deposit; or
• your retailer accepts a payment plan and chooses to restore the utilities based on this payment arrangement.

If your account remains unpaid at the end of the winter rules period, the distribution company will remove the limiter and  fully disconnect your services in the spring.

Natural Gas Disconnection

Winter Rules

According to the terms and conditions of natural gas distributors, services can't be disconnected between November 1st and April 14th or at any time when the temperature will be below 0 degrees Celsius in the 24-hour period after the proposed disconnection. During winter months, natural gas distribution companies will only disconnect service if they receive a written request from the property owner. However, if a disconnection balance is still unpaid when winter rules end, your services will be disconnected.

It can be costly to reconnect after a long period of disconnection.

If your natural gas service has been off for at least six months, you may need an inspection and gas permit before your services can be reconnected. First, a bonded and licensed contractor (e.g. a plumber or pipe fitter) must assess your gas line, and then a municipal inspector must do an inspection. The distributor may also require access to your property to reconnect services.

You may not be able to get your utilities reconnected on the same day you ask for it. If a distributor is able to reconnect you on the same day, you may need to pay a higher reconnection fee. Talk to your retailer about any extra charges before you ask for same day reconnection.

Contact your natural gas distributor for the reconnection requirements in your community.

How we can help

The Utilities Consumer Advocate's mediation officers can share advice on comparing utility rates, as well as provide information on utility issues and help settle disputes with your provider. Contact us toll-free at 310-4822, email at ucahelps@gov.ab.ca, or visit the Contact a Mediation Officer page for more information.

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Source: https://ucahelps.alberta.ca/utilities-disconnection-and-load-limiters.aspx

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