light switchKids across the province, and locally, may be wondering what all the extra nagging is about when it comes to shutting off the lights… but your wallet knows.

Today is the day hydro rates increase.

Ontarians are now paying more than twice as much for electricity during peak demand periods than off-peak times, something the Ontario Energy Board estimates will add $5.71 to the average household electricity bill, per month.

The price for peak periods (weekdays from 11 am to 5 pm) is now 16.1 cents per kilowatt hour.

That compares with 8 cents for off-peak hours (weekdays from 7 pm to 7 am) and all day on weekends and holidays.

The mid-peak rate is 12.2 cents.