The Ontario Energy Board is urging consumers to do their homework before signing up with an energy retailer.
An ad campaign slated to start Monday reminds consumers of a new set of rules meant to ensure they’re treated fairly by electricity and natural gas retailers selling contracts door-to-door.
The rules took effect Jan. 1 and apply to contracts signed or renewed after that date.
“The focus of that is just to make sure consumers have the information they need to make a good decision on whether or not sign a contract,” said Alan Findlay, a spokesman for the energy board.
People often feel pressured or rushed to sign a contract on the spot, before they’ve had time to weigh their options, he said.
“It can be confusing, so it’s important that people take the time to make sure they have all the information,” he said.
Under the new regulations, retailers have to give price comparisons with rates charged by local utilities, which are set by the energy board and adjusted every six months.
Some consumers choose to sign up with an energy retailer to get a fixed price for the length of the contract rather than see their rates vary twice a year.
The new rules also give people several opportunities to cancel long-term energy contracts without penalty, even after receiving their first bill.
Penalties for broken contracts dropped to $50 per year remaining for electricity, and $100 per year remaining for natural gas.
The changes stem from legislation introduced in 2009 to crack down on what the province called abusive and unfair practices by energy retailers.
Ontario’s energy minister, Brad Duguid, has said the government received more than 100 complaints each week about unscrupulous energy retailers.
The four-week Energy Board ad campaign will run on the radio and online.
