If you are using electricity for domestic purposes, the meter reader will come to your home at least once every 120 days. He or she has the legal right to access your meter between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. every day except Sundays and statutory holidays. If the meter reader can't get to your meter, the bill will be based on your estimated consumption, then adjusted later to reflect the next meter reading.

For non-domestic service where the billing demand is generally higher than 50 kW, Hydro-Québec reads the meters about every 30 days.

In some cases, the reading is taken through Hydro-Québec's remote meter-reading system.

If the meter reader can't access your meter, you will be left a meter reading card. You must then mark down the meter reading yourself and send it to Hydro-Québec by the date indicated. You can do this over the Internet or by telephone:

	Montréal: (514) 385-8464
	Elsewhere in Québec: 1-877-385-8464

The electricity rate applied to your account is based on the primary purpose for which the electricity is used (residential, business, farm, etc.).

The amount on your bill is based on the rate stated in your contract and your last meter reading. If there is no meter reading, your bill is based on an estimate of your consumption.

Hydro-Québec will issue you a bill:

	about every 60 days, and at least every 90 days, if you have a contract in which only electricity consumption is metered. This is the situation for most residential customers
	about every 30 days, in all other cases

If it happens that a billing period exceeds 90 days and only electricity consumption is metered, you can pay your bill in two instalments, at 21-day intervals.

If you notice a mistake on your bill, contact Hydro-Québec right away.

To be fair to all its customers, Hydro-Québec charges fees for certain services.

Current fees are as follows:*

	Account opening (new customer): $50
	Account administration: $20 (customer who has held another account within the past five years)
	Cheque with insufficient funds: $10

Fees are also charged for new hookups, modifications to an existing service loop, and any other action taken by Hydro-Québec in response to a customer's request. Before starting any electrical work, contact your Hydro-Québec representative to find out what it might cost you.

*Fees in effect as of April 2002.