TORONTO HYDRO-LERT - More warm weather this week, Toronto Hydro reminds customers to watch air conditioner use during peak afternoon times
TORONTO, June 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Another warm day and the temperature is expected to stay. Toronto Hydro-Electric System ("Toronto Hydro") reminds customers that summer time-of-use (TOU) prices are in effect. Customers should be mindful of the higher on-peak price for electricity during weekday afternoons (11am to 5 pm).
Customers signed up for powerSHIFT® - an extended version of peaksaver® - will notice that the program was activated today.
With TOU electricity rates in effect for the majority of Torontonians, customers should try to conserve and shift non-essential electricity use to off-peak times. Customers can log on to the TOU website to see their usage on an hourly, daily and weekly basis. The data is updated as recent as the day before.
Summer cooling can account for up to 50 per cent of the total bill. Running a central air conditioner for 24 hours at 21 degrees Celsius would cost $8.16 (electricity cost only) versus $6.12 for running it only during off-peak hours1.
Here are some tips on how to conserve electricity and save money while you're running your air conditioner:
Set the temperature at least one degree higher than you normally would. Turn it off when you're not at home OR use a programmable thermostat to turn the AC off (or up) during peak times.
Use a ceiling fan to supplement your AC, you can raise the temperature on your thermostat and feel just as comfortable.
Keep doors and windows closed while the air conditioner is running.
Keep window shades drawn during the afternoon to minimize the passive solar heating effect of the sun.
Take advantage of the sun and heat and hang clothes to dry.
Sign up for peaksaver PLUS™ and get a in-home Energy Display free of charge. This in-home display allows customers to see their real-time electricity use and the cost per hour. For more tips and information on Toronto Hydro's conservation programs like peaksaver PLUS™ and PowerShift®, visit www.torontohydro.com
_____________________________
1 Smart Meter Lane, IESO
Tanya Bruckmueller, Toronto Hydro-Electric System
[email protected]
W: 416-542-2621
C: 416-903-0440
Share this article