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Residential Rates

Residential Conservation Rate

Most residential customers are charged under the Residential Conservation Rate. Residential customers under the Residential Conservation Rate receive service under rate schedule 1101 of the Electric Tariff.

Customers are charged one rate for electricity up to a certain threshold in each billing period, and a higher rate for all electricity use beyond that threshold. This "stepped" rate is designed to encourage conservation.

Note: In February 2023, we submitted an application to the B.C. Utilities Commission for a new optional time-of-use rate for residential customers. Learn more about the rate application

How your threshold is determined

On your bill, the threshold for the lower Step 1 rate is calculated by multiplying the number of days in the billing period by 22.1918 kWh per day.

Customer meters are read on different days so billing periods can vary from bill to bill. The 22.1918 kWh per day is the daily equivalent of 1,350 kWh for the average two month billing period.

For example, a 60-day billing period would have a Step 1 threshold of 1,332 kWh (60 days x 22.1918 kWh per day). A 58-day billing period would have a 1,287 kWh (58 days x 22.1918 kWh per day) Step 1 threshold.

Why do we have a Step 2?

The stepped rate structure provides a price incentive to encourage conservation–which is the cleanest, cheapest and simplest way to meet growing electricity demand.

Knowing how to read your BC Hydro residential customer bill is a good way to monitor and manage your electricity usage.

Basic Charge

A small, daily amount that partially recovers fixed customer-related costs, including customer service channels, metering, billing, payment processing, collections, and distribution system costs that are customer-related (electrical lines and transformers).

21.17 cents per day.

Energy Charge

Step 1

9.75 cents per kWh for first 1,350 in an average two month billing period (22.1918 kWh per day).

Step 2

14.08 cents per kWh over the 1,350 Step 1 threshold.

Minimum Charge

21.17 cents per day.

Equal to the Basic Charge.



Declaration of eligibility for Residential Service rate

The declaration indicates that the service address and meter number you're applying for is a residential dwelling and meets the BC Hydro Electric Tariff ('Tariff') definition for what qualifies for Residential Service where energy is used:

  1. In a dwelling.
  2. In a dwelling where a portion is used to carry on a business if the whole dwelling is supplied through one meter (e.g. home based business, or Bed & Breakfast with no more than 3 rooms to rent).
  3. In the common areas of multiple occupancy buildings if such common areas are used only for the common benefit of the residential dwellings in that building.

If you meet these eligibility requirements and wish to be placed on the Residential Service rate, please submit your declaration [PDF, 37 KB] and required documents.

Exempt Residential Service Rate for farms

The Exempt Residential Service Rate is available to eligible farms. If you are currently on the Residential Conservation Rate but your property is classified as a farm and the electricity is for farm use, you may be eligible for the Exempt Residential Service Rate. Electricity service under the Exempt Residential Service Rate must not be used for:

  • Any dwelling other than a single-family dwelling.
  • The processing of farm products that aren't produced on your farm.
  • The selling of farm products or other products to the public, other than from a small roadside stand.
  • Any commercial use not normally carried out on a farm.

If you meet these eligibility requirements and wish to be placed on the Exempt Residential Service Rate, please submit your declaration [PDF, 74 KB] and required documents.

Customers under the Exempt Residential Service Rate receive service under rate schedule 1151 of the Electric Tariff.

Basic Charge

A small, daily amount that partially recovers fixed customer-related costs, including customer service channels, metering, billing, payment processing, collections, and distribution system costs that are customer-related (electrical lines and transformers).

22.58 cents per day.

Energy Charge

11.47 cents per kWh.

Minimum Charge

22.58 cents per day.

Equal to the Basic Charge.



Please note that in the event of differences between the details noted here and the official Electric Tariff issued by BC Hydro, the official Electric Tariff will prevail.