Conservation Could Lead To Cash For Hydro Customers
Posted July 13, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Making small changes – like turning off the lights when you leave a room or adjusting your air conditioner’s thermostat by one degree – could soon add up to big savings on your electricity bill.
Toronto Hydro launched their Summer Challenge program Thursday, with the goal of giving consumers who manage to reduce their electricity use by 10 per cent or more this summer compared to the same time last year a credit for an additional 10 per cent off.
Residential and small commercial customers (less than 50kW per month) who have resided at the same premise since at least September 1, 2005 are eligible for the sizeable discount.
“We want to trigger a massive consumer reaction. This is a call to action to change our behaviour and the way we look at our power consumption,” said Toronto Hydro’s Chief Administrative Officer Anthony Haines.
“If one-third of customers achieve at least the 10 per cent reduction target with the Toronto Hydro Summer Challenge, it will be the equivalent of 45.6 million kWh, or the same as taking about 5,000 houses off the grid.”
The program is the first of its kind in Canada, and follows a model implemented in California five years ago as it experienced an energy shortage. The initiative was a success there, and Ontario’s Finance Minister Dwight Duncan hopes history will repeat itself in this province.
“The Toronto Hydro Summer Challenge is an exciting opportunity to pilot an innovative energy conservation program in Ontario,” said the province’s Energy Minister Dwight Duncan.
“We’re confident that consumers will rise to the challenge knowing that they are directly participating in Ontario’s conservation culture.”
For those thinking it’ll be a piece of cake to use less energy this summer given 2005’s record-breaking heat, be aware that last year’s usage numbers will be adjusted based on a 30-year average of summer temperatures.
Ways to Save – Estimated Savings
Use fans instead of air conditioning – 25 per cent savings on electricity bill
Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows – 10 per cent savings
Set your pool heater thermostat back by 1 degree Celsius – 7 per cent savings
Use a clothesline to dry your clothes – 5 per cent savings
Run your dishwasher only when it’s full – 5 per cent savings
Wash laundry in cold water – 5 per cent savings
Turn up your air conditioning thermostat by 1 degree Celsius – 5 per cent savings
Turn off lights, computers and TVs when not in use – 5 per cent savings
Switch 6 bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs – 3 per cent savings
Get rid of your second fridge – 3 per cent savings
Courtesy http://www.toronto.ca/
To get your Summer Challenge savings target, click here.
More ways to save electricity and money this summer:
- Clean or replace your air conditioner filter regularly.
- Turn the air conditioner off when you’re not home.
- Close blinds and curtains during the day to keep the heat out.
- Create natural cooling with shade trees on the west and south sides of your house.
- Shower and run your dishwasher, washer and dryer early in the morning or late at night.
- Don’t use heat-producing small appliances (toasters, hairdryers) at peak times.
- Vacuum the coils of your refrigerator and keep other appliances in good working order.
- Don’t heat your pool at night. Let hot daytime temperatures warm it during the day.
- Use manual skimmers rather than pool vacuums daily. Vacuum once a week.
- Keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
