Peaksaver - Be a Neighbourhood Power Star
Join the thousands of Ontarians who are helping to lessen the strain on the electricity system when demand is the highest.
By participating in the peaksaver® program you're taking action to reduce the electricity demand for the sake of our environment. This is a way for homeowners and businesses to respond to the province's call for conservation during summer heat waves.
What's the program all about?
It's easy to get on board. Just sign up and give Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro Inc. (LDC) permission to "cycle down" homeowners' central air conditioning when the electricity system is stretched to its limits.
It's important to note that your A/C would only be cycled down when absolutely necessary, usually on weekday afternoons during those exceptionally steamy summer days. Having a special event? Let your LDC know and you can opt out for that particular time. It's thought that the system would only be activated a hand full of times a season.
Once your permission is given to your LDC, a programmable thermostat (device) will be installed to allow a wireless signal to cycle down your air conditioning. It's unlikely that you'll notice any difference in the comfort level of your home or business since the inside fan will continue to operate so that a change in temperature won't be noticeable.
If you're a homeowner of a single-family home and have a central air conditioning system then let the LDC do all the work - at no expense to you.
Just for signing up and having the thermostat installed, you'll receive $25.
What will I save by participating?
While the peaksaver® equipment will have no noticeable effect on the comfort of a building's occupants, the environmental benefits and the reduction in peak electricity use is significant. When you give your LDC permission to cycle down
your electricity use, you're helping to reduce smog and air pollution. That's because coal-fired and gas-fired generating stations will be used less often.
By reducing the amount of electricity needed at peak times you'll be lessening the chance of voltage reductions or other disruptions in the power system.
And you'll help ensure less expensive electricity. You see, during peak times, Ontario has to buy power from other places and this is expensive and could increase the overall price of electricity. When you help reduce the demand for electricity, you're actually helping to ensure less expensive electricity is bought to meet our needs.
The bottom line? It's cheaper to save a kilowatt than it is to make one.
peaksaver® is a no-cost, easy to participate in initiative that is helping Ontario meet its peak electricity needs.
Yes, I'd like to help. Sign me up!
Looking for more ways to reduce your electricity demand?
During peak times, here are simple steps you can take to reduce demand:
- Wait until after 8 p.m. in the evening to run large appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers
- Shut off your pool pump between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. and run it between the hours of 8p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Turn off all of the unnecessary lights around your home until after 8 p.m.
- Use compact fluorescent light bulbs - they use 75% less electricity
- Turn up your air conditioning thermostat to 25 degrees Celsius when you are home and to 28 degrees Celsius when you are away for the day.
- If you have an old secondary refrigerator that you rarely use, arrange to have it picked up for free.
Still looking for answers? Check the Frequently Asked Questions.
For More Information
For more information on conservation programs from the Ontario Power Authority click here
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