Toronto Hydro reports high demand for electricity due to heat

Air conditioners working overtime as temperatures soar

TORONTO, July 6, 2016 /CNW/ - Toronto Hydro is seeing a high demand for electricity as the city experiences another day of extreme heat.

With more hot weather in the forecast, we're asking our customers to lessen their electricity use to help reduce strain on our equipment.

As the increased demand is related to air conditioning, we're encouraging customers to turn off air conditioners when they aren't home or set their thermostat at 25ºC for eight hours a day, then shift to 22ºC during off-peak hours. Doing this can save up to $18 a month.

Aside from air conditioning, we're encouraging customers to wait until after 7 p.m. — when off-peak electricity prices come into effect — to use large appliances like clothes dryers and dishwashers.

QUICK FACTS:

• Air conditioning can account for up to 50% of a summer bill
• Customers can conserve energy by closing their blinds during the day as the sun can raise the inside temperature of a home
• Use fans instead of air conditioning when possible as ceiling fans can save you approximately $20.50 a month on cooling costs
• Turn up your thermostat. For every degree higher, you'll save between 2% and 3% on cooling costs

For more conservation tips, visit torontohydro.com/smartsummer

QUOTES

"This summer is turning out to be hotter than last year. It's still early in the season, so we're encouraging our customers to conserve electricity to help reduce strain on the grid and also help them control their electricity costs."

-   Tori Gass, Spokesperson, Toronto Hydro

ABOUT TORONTO HYDRO

Toronto Hydro owns and operates an electricity distribution system, which delivers electricity to approximately 757,000 customers located in the city of Toronto. It is the largest municipal electricity distribution company in Canada and distributes approximately 18% of the electricity consumed in the province of Ontario.

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SOURCE Toronto Hydro Corporation

Image with caption: "Air conditioners are humming in the city, causing electricity use to increase. (CNW Group/Toronto Hydro Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160706_C8473_PHOTO_EN_728746.jpg

For further information: Tori Gass, Communications and Public Relations, 416-903-4037, [email protected]; 24-hours media line: 416-903-6845, [email protected]