FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the peaksaver program?

Barrie Hydro Distribution Inc., with support from the Ontario Power Authority, are making it simple for Ontarians to do their part to conserve energy and 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 power grid 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 Barrie Hydro Distribution Inc. customer who has central air conditioning is eligible for the peaksaver program. You must own the home or building. If you do not own your own home you must have your landlord or property manager's approval to participate. Please obtain a letter of approval from them before signing up for the program.

For Business Customers: Business customers are eligible if your air conditioners are approximately the same size as those used by residential customers. If you do not own your business property you must have your landlord or property manager's approval to participate. Please obtain a letter of approval from them before signing up for the program.

How does the program work?

If you agree to participate in the peaksaver program, Barrie Hydro Distribution Inc. will provide you with a programmable thermostat valued at $300, and with a list of pre-approved contractors that will install the thermostat in your home at no charge to you. The programmable thermostat will allow Barrie Hydro & the OPA to briefly reduce the central air conditioning electricity usage during 'critical' peak use times - typically weekday afternoons during the hottest days of the summer, but not on holidays or weekends. In 2006, the system was activated twice.

What will happen if I don't install the programmable thermostat within 30 days of picking it up?

Summer is upon us, so it is important to have the thermostat installed as soon as possible after picking it up from our office.  If it is not installed within 30 days of picking it up from our office, the value of the thermostat will be charged to your Barrie Hydro account.

When will the program launch?

Customers can begin reserving their programmable thermostat by calling Barrie Hydro now. Thermostat pickup and installation will start in mid July. If you want to start being a power star right away, here are three ways you can reduce the strain on the electricity system during peak times (weekdays between noon and 8 p.m.):

o    Delay using major appliances like clothes dryers, washing machines and dishwashers until after 8pm.

o    Turn up your air conditioning thermostat higher than 24 degrees Celsius (use fans instead to stay cool)

o    Turn off all unnecessary lights (use compact fluorescent light bulbs for essential lights - they use 75% less electricity).

Do I receive anything for participating?

Apart from saving electricity and benefiting the environment, a $25 incentive will be provided to customers who sign up for the peaksaver program.

How will I get my money?

Participants will receive the $25 credit directly on their Barrie Hydro Distribution Inc. account. This is like getting immediate savings on your summer bills. This credit will appear on your bill within two months of installation.

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 me?

You may not see savings directly on your bill, but this program will save everyone money by keeping the cost of electricity lower in the future by reducing the need to import electricity.

Can I really make a difference by participating?

Yes. By participating, you and thousands of others participating in similar programs throughout the province will help us 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 electricity system. This means the province will need to import less electricity and that saves everyone money by keeping electricity prices low.

What do I do if I don't own the house or business property? Can I still enroll?

Yes, you can still enroll. Your landlord will need to provide a letter of permission to have the peaksaver programmable thermostat installed at your residence or business property.

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 there is only a very small rise in temperature.

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 townhouse, am I eligible?

If your unit has a separate central air conditioning unit and you receive a bill from us, you are eligible for the peaksaver 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. 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 I have to participate?

No you do not have to participate. peaksaver is a voluntary program and you do not have to sign up. 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, we will need you to be home so that the qualified, certified professionals that you choose from our pre-approved list will be able to install your 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, certified professionals that you have chosen from the list that will be provided to you. When the installers come to your door you can ask them to produce identification that will show that they are working on behalf of the contractor that you called to arrange the installation

What if they break my system? Will they pay to fix it?

The installation will be done by qualified, certified professionals. 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 installation professionals will assess whether your home is suitable at the time of installation. They are certified, qualified professionals. As well, 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 usually coincides with days when smog is an issue as well. To meet electricity demand, it becomes more likely that we will rely on coal and gas-fired plants to meet the shortfall. These plants release greenhouse gases and add further to air pollution and smog.

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 do the OPA and Barrie Hydro Distribution Inc. have this program anyway?

We are always looking for ways to help Ontarians conserve electricity to ensure a continual supply of electricity. Programs like peaksaver help everyone in the long run by reducing the need to import electricity and reducing the pressures on our distribution system. It's totally green - peaksaver will help to reduce the emissions caused by electricity generation and help to reduce the number of smog days.

Which of my home appliances are eligible for peaksaver? Who chooses this?

To qualify you must have a functioning central air conditioning system.

If I am unhappy with peaksaver, can I stop being part of the program?

If for whatever reason you are not happy, please call us at (705) 722-7222 or (905) 729-4521

What happens if I'm using an appliance during the time it will be shut off?

You will not need to do anything. The only difference may be a very slight difference in temperature - most people will 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?

If you are having Air Conditioning issues please call the qualified contractor that you chose to install your thermostat. For any other questions please call Barrie Hydro at 705-722-7222 or 905-729-4521 Monday to Friday between 8:30 and 4:30. As well you can call 1-866-869-8366, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I have a room air conditioner; can I participate in the program?

No, room air conditioners are not part of the program at this time.

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.

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 there are currently three programs being run by the Ontario Power Authority that you may be interested in:

The Summer Savings Program is designed to reduce summer electricity consumption by ten per cent among all Ontario's homeowners. This program runs from July 1-August 31 and will allow customers of participating LDCs who reduce their electricity consumption by 10% to save 10% on their electricity bill.

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  at the Cool Savings Rebate website.

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 on The Great Refrigerator Roundup website.