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peaksaver® Frequently Asked
Questions
1. Tell me about the
peaksaver® program.
During hot summer weekdays, when central air conditioners are running at
their maximum, the demand for electricity is at its highest. These times
are know as ‘peak demand’. If you have a central air conditioner (CAC), you
can help the province to manage this peak demand by enrolling in
peaksaver. It’s easy and it’s free! Your participating electric
utility will install the necessary device (either a thermostat or switch)
enabling your CAC to receive a signal that will cycle it down which may
increase your home’s temperature by only 1° or 2°C
for short periods of time. The adjustment will only occur Monday to Friday
most likely between 12:00 and 6:00 p.m. and never on weekends or holidays.
2. Who can enrol
in the peaksaver program?
Any residential customer of a
participating
electric utility with central air conditioning is eligible for the
peaksaver program.
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Your electric utility must
be participating in peaksaver.
-
You must have an account
with a participating electric utility.
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You must be a homeowner in
a single-family dwelling with central air conditioning (CAC), or
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You must be renting or
leasing a single-family dwelling with CAC and have approval from your
landlord to participate. Additionally, if you meet the above criteria
AND have an electric water heater, you may choose to have it cycled down
for short periods of time along with your CAC (depending on your
electric utility).
3. How does the
program work?
Once you are enrolled in peaksaver and the
device (either a thermostat or switch) is installed at your home, it can be
remotely activated by your participating electric utility to slightly reduce
your CAC’s electricity demand automatically. This won’t sacrifice your
control or the comfort of your home. Activations would only occur:
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on those occasional steamy
summer days when the electricity system can be stretched to its limit
and electricity consumption is at its highest.
-
on weekdays (Monday
through Friday) from May 1 to September 30. Never on weekends or
holidays.
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for a maximum of ten
activations during the summer and only for a total of four hours during
any one activation. As an example; in 2008, the
peaksaver program was activated only five times.
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your system’s fan will
continue to operate so that there is only a 1 or 2° change in
temperature of your home.
-
you can always opt out
in advance of a specified date by contacting your participating
electric utility.
Most participants note that they do not
even feel a change in the temperature of their home.
4. When can peaksaver be
activated?
On weekdays (Monday through Friday), most likely between 12:00p.m. to
6:00p.m. from May 1 to September 30. Never on weekends or holidays.
for a maximum of ten activations during the summer and only for a total of
four hours during any one activation. As an example; in 2008, the
peaksaver program was activated only five
times.
5. What is the difference between
the devices that may be installed when I enrol in peaksaver?
Based on the technology your participating electric utility has acquired for
their consumers, they will install one of two devices in your home:
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Switch: is
installed on your CACs compressor (which is located outside).
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Thermostat:
this programmable thermostat will replace your current thermostat.
6. Is there an incentive for
participating?
By participating in the program you’ll be joining over 120,000 other
Ontarians who are doing their part to reduce the strain on the electricity
system. At the same time, you are doing something important for your
community and the environment. Once you’ve enrolled and had the device
installed, we’ll be happy to recognize your participation with a $25
incentive. Depending on where you are and the technology available in your
area, a programmable thermostat or a switch will be offered.
7. Will it cost me anything to
participate?
It won’t cost you a thing and there are no ongoing maintenance costs. Plus
it’s easy to enrol! As a ‘thank you' for enrolling and having the device
installed, you’ll receive $25.
8. As one household, is it really
possible to make a difference by participating?
Absolutely! You’ll join the tens of thousands already participating in
peaksaver and this will allow us to reduce the strain on the
system during times of peak electricity demand. By joining, you are making a
significant contribution to conserving electricity and helping to improve
your community and our environment.
When just two households participate in peaksaver, they can
reduce enough electricity demand to meet the average electricity needs of
one other household in Ontario during a time of peak demand.
We expect that the peaksaver program will reduce the strain
on the electricity system during the summer on those occasionally hot summer
days. This means there will be less need to purchase electricity from
elsewhere and that saves everyone money by keeping electricity prices low.
9. What if I don't own the house?
Can I still enrol?
You certainly can. If you don’t own the property, just get permission from
the owner/landlord to have the switch or thermostat installed.
10. Am I eligible if I live in a
town home?
If your home has a separate central air conditioning unit and you have an
account with a participating electric utility, then you’re eligible to
participate in the program.
11. Will I notice a change in the
comfort of my home?
This won’t sacrifice your control or the comfort of your home. When you
give your participating electric utility permission to send a signal to
slightly adjust your CAC, you’re helping the electricity system during times
of peak demand. When activated, your CAC will continue to cool your home,
however, in half-hour timeframes your CAC will be adjusted on and off. For
the first fifteen minutes it will continue to produce cool air and for the
second fifteen minutes, the fan continues to run to circulate the cool air
in your home.
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These half-hour increments
will last no longer than four hours at a time on any one day.
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Most participants noted
that they could not feel a difference in the temperature or comfort of
their home when the activations occurred.
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You can always opt out in
advance of a specified date by contacting your participating electric
utility.
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The devices and
installation are free and your participating electric utility is there
to help you should you have any questions.
12. Will there be a power surge
when it comes back on?
No, because the technology takes this into account. The remotely-controlled
devices reduce the electricity usage but don’t turn off your central air
conditioner. As well, the central air conditioners participating in the
program are adjusted at different times within each hour which also works to
avoid a power surge.
13. Do I have to participate?
The program is entirely voluntary. We're confident that people will find it
to be an easy way to help reduce the strain on our electricity system and
benefit communities and the environment.
14. Will you have access to any
other systems in my house? Will you be able to control my whole house?
Absolutely not. We will not have access to any other system in your house.
If you choose to participate in peaksaver, your
participating electric utility will only have access to the central air
conditioning and electric hot water heater (if available in your area).
15. Do I have to be home when this
is installed?
That will depend on your participating electric utility and the type of
device they are installing to manage the program. Contact 1-866-727-1611
16. I'm not comfortable with
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 your
participating electric utility.
17. What if they break my system?
Will they pay to fix it?
The installation will be done by qualified installers working on behalf of
your participating electric utility. They are well trained and will carry
appropriate liability insurance.
18. What does the environment have
to do with it?
In periods where demand for electricity is very high, it becomes more likely
that we will rely on gas and coal-fired plants to meet the shortfall. These
plants release greenhouse gases and contribute to air pollution.
19. Why do the OPA and my electric
utility have this program anyway?
We are always looking for ways to help our customers and our province
conserve electricity. Initiatives like peaksaver help
everyone in the long run by reducing the strain on our electricity system.
peaksaver will help to reduce the emissions caused by
electricity generation.
20. How do I request that my
equipment not be controlled for a particular date?
The program will only be activated Monday to Friday most likely between noon
to 6:00 p.m. and between May 1st and September 30th. If you would like to
opt out on a particular date, please
contact
1-866-727-1611 and you will be
able to opt out for a particular day. Electric utilities will require some
advanced notice.
21. 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
1-866-727-1611 to speak to a representative.
22. What happens if I'm using an
appliance during the time it will be shut off?
No, it will not be shut off. When you are enrolled in peaksaver
slight adjustments are only made to your CAC and (where available) your
electric water heater. For central air conditioners and electric water
heaters, the only difference may be a very slight difference in temperature
- most people won’t notice a change at all.
23. 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.
24. Who do I call when I have
questions or problems?
Your questions are always welcomed. Questions about this program can be
directed to 1-866-727-1611.
25. If I only have a room air
conditioner can I still participate in the program?
No. As it stands now, the program is currently limited to customers with
central air conditioning systems. If you have central air conditioning, you
may be able to also add an electric water heater. This varies by
participating electric utilities.
26. I already have a
high-efficiency central air conditioning 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
times when the electricity system is strained. |
