peaksaver® FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Changing Heat to Cool
Click on the image that represents your peaksaver® thermostat:
What is the peaksaver® program?
Electricity distributors along with support from the Ontario Power Authority are making it simple for Ontarians to do their part to ease the strain on the electricity system during summer peak demand times. Ontarians can sign up for the peaksaver® program and help reduce the strain on the electricity system during peak demand times. This program is being offered to you because you reside in an area where electricity usage is higher in summer than in winter.
Can I enroll in the peaksaver® program?
For Residential Customers: Any customer of a Oakville Hydro who has central air conditioning is eligible for the peaksaver® program. You must own the home or building.
For Business customers: Business customers are eligible if your air conditioners are approximately the same size as those used by residential customers. If you have your landlord or property manager's approval to participate, have them contact us to enroll in the program.
How does the program work?
With the permission of the eligible customer, Oakville Hydro will install a device that allows for the central air conditioning electricity usage to be briefly reduced during peak demand times – typically weekday afternoons during the hottest days of the summer, and it is unlikely to occur on holidays or weekends. It is anticipated that the system will be activated approximately five times per summer.
When will the program launch?
Oakville Hydro launched the peaksaver® program in the Fall of 2007 and will continue through to 2010.
Do I receive anything for participating?
Apart from reducing the strain on the electricity system and benefiting the environment, a $25 incentive will be provided to customers who sign up for the peaksaver® program and have the device installed. You will be offered a programmable thermostat and the installation at no cost.
How will the I receive my rebate money?
The $25 incentive rebate cheque will be mailed to your home.
Will it cost me anything to participate?
It will not cost you anything to participate and there is no maintenance cost. Just for signing up and having the device installed, you will receive $25.
How much money could the peaksaver® program potentially save a customer?
Direct savings from the program will be noticed over time, however, this program will save everyone money by keeping the cost of electricity lower.
Can I really make a difference by participating?
Yes. By participating, you and thousands of others will allow us to reduce the strain on the electrical system during peak periods. By doing very little on your part, you are making a significant contribution to conserving electricity and helping to improve our environment. We expect that the peaksaver® program will reduce the demand on the electrical system. This means there will be less need to buy peak demand electricity that saves everyone money by keeping electric prices low.
What do I do if I don't own the property? Can I still enroll?
Yes you can still enroll. Customers who do not own the property require a letter of permission from the owner/landlord to have the thermostat installed at your residence.
Won't it be sweltering when I get home?
Residents who participated last summer said they hardly noticed when the cycle-down had taken place. The peaksaver® event is typically transparent to the participant over the four-hour period as there is only a very small rise in temperature. Air conditioners are only turned down, not off and the fan remains on.
Won't there be a power surge when it comes back on?
No, the technology takes this into account. The remotely-controlled devices only reduce the electricity usage but do not turn off the air conditioners. Also, the air conditioners participating in the program are managed randomly to avoid a power surge.
I live in a town home, am I eligible?
If your unit has a separate central air conditioning unit, you are eligible for the program.
Businesses must use much more electricity than residential customers? Why are you asking regular homeowners to take these measures?
Everyone can help reduce strain on the electrical system. peaksaver® is targeted at homes and small business but there are many conservation programs for commercial properties and industry as well. For example, there is a program similar to peaksaver® wherein companies sign contracts to reduce their electricity consumption during peak periods.
Do residents of Ontario have to participate?
This is a voluntary program. We're confident that people will find it to be an easy way to help reduce the strain on our electricity system and benefit the environment.
Will you have access to any other systems in my house? Will you be able to control my whole house?
No, we will not have access to any other system in your house. We will only have access to the central air conditioning.
Do I have to be home when this is installed?
Yes, installing the thermostat requires an appointment for the installation and a few minutes with the installing technician for instruction on the programmable aspect of the peaksaver® thermostat.
I don't want strangers in my house. How will I know if the people who arrive are legitimate?
We can understand your concern for security. Rest assured that the installation will be done by qualified installers working on behalf of Oakville Hydro. When the installers come to your door you can ask them to produce identification that will show that they are working on behalf of Oakville Hydro.
What if they break my system? Will they pay to fix it?
The installation will be done by qualified installers working on behalf of Oakville Hydro. They are well trained and will carry appropriate liability insurance.
What about other damage to my home such as too much dryness? Who is liable?
The device installed only reduces the air conditioner's electricity usage during the peak times of the day and does not otherwise change the air conditioner's operation.
What does the environment have to do with it?
In periods where electricity demand is very high, it becomes more likely that we will rely on coal-fired plants to meet the shortfall. Coal-fired plants release greenhouse gases and contribute to air pollution.
Couldn't we still have brownouts or blackouts anyway? Does this really make a difference?
Every individual and business that participates is helping to make brownouts and blackouts less and less likely so the more people participating, the better!
Why is this program being run?
We are always looking for ways to help our customers and our province conserve electricity to ensure a continual supply of electricity. Programs like peaksaver® help everyone in the long run by reducing the pressures on our electricity system. It's totally green - peaksaver® will help to reduce the emissions caused by electricity generation.
Which of my home appliances are eligible for peaksaver®?
Currently only central air conditioning qualifies.
How do I request that my equipment not be controlled for a particular date?
If you would like to opt out on a particular date, please contact peaksaver® customer assistance at 1.866.514.6778 and someone will be able to answer your questions and schedule the exemption.
If I am unhappy with peaksaver®, can I stop being part of the program?
Yes, if for whatever reason you are not happy, please contact peaksaver® customer assistance at 1.866.514.6778 to speak to a representative.
What happens if I'm using an appliance during the time it will be shut off?
For air conditioners you will not need to do anything. The only difference may be a very slight difference in temperature - most people do not notice a change at all.
Do I have to adjust my thermostat or change any other settings?
No, participating in the program is easy and requires no effort, time or investment.
Who do I call when I have questions or problems?
Any questions can be directed to peaksaver® customer assistance at 1.866.514.6778
I have a room air conditioner; can I participate in the program?
No, the program is currently limited to customers with central air conditioning systems.
I already have a high-efficiency AC system – should I bother participating in this program?
Although a high-efficiency system uses less electricity than an older or less-efficient system, any and all electricity savings are helpful during a peak-use period.
Can I ask that the AC not be turned down on a certain day, for a certain event?
Yes, participants will be able to opt-out in advance of an event by notifying peaksaver® customer assistance at 1.866.514.6778 advising the time during which they prefer not to be activated.
Why is this initiative happening?
Ontario’s electricity use is growing. Population growth and increases in use of electrical devices will cause increasing demand. This demand can be met by building more generating stations, but that is expensive and has environmental implications. An alternative way to allow for growth is to help Ontarians use electricity as efficiently as possible; using only the electricity they need and, where possible, avoiding using it at times when the peak demand for electricity is highest. This saves Ontarians money and reduces impact on the environment.
What is the Ontario Power Authority?
This is an organization set up by the Ontario provincial government to Plan the Ontario Power System, Develop Generation, Develop the Electricity Sector and encourage electricity conservation.
Are there other programs to save electricity that are available to homeowners now?
Yes, the Ontario Power Authority offers 3 residential programs to help you save energy.
Cool Savings Rebate - Rebates are offered to residents who replace old air conditioning systems with ENERGY STAR®– qualified models, on tune-ups for existing air conditioning systems and installations of programmable thermostats by program-registered technicians. Participating heating and cooling contractors as well as complete program details can be found here www.coolsavingsrebate.com
The Great Refrigerator Roundup - Ontarians are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to dispose of their energy intensive, secondary refrigerators in an environmentally friendly way. Read all the details www.everykilowattcounts.com/roundup
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