Hot summer has increased electricity use in Toronto

Toronto Hydro reminds customers to be aware of week-day peak pricing times during hot August

TORONTO, Aug. 6 /CNW/ -

NEWS

It's been a hot summer so far and Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited ("Toronto Hydro") is reporting that Torontonians are using more electricity than last year.  According to the utility, electricity consumption is up largely due to air conditioning loads. This is because cooling degree days this June and July have increased by a whopping 187 per cent over June and July 2009. (224 versus 78).   As a result, Torontonians overall have used approximately 12% per cent more power this summer than last. Consumption for residential customers is up more than 18 per cent.

And summer cooling can be costly - it 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 $6.99 (electricity cost only) versus $4.99 for running it only during off-peak hours.*

With Time-of-Use electricity rates in effect for the majority of Torontonians, customers should try to conserve and shift non-essential electricity use to off-peak times. Shifting consumption will help moderate August electricity bills. Customers can log onto the TOU website (www.torontohydro.com/tou) to view their personalized electricity usage on an hourly, daily and weekly basis. The data is updated as recently as the day before. Logging on and viewing usage data may help to avoid unpleasant surprises on their hydro bills.

Toronto Hydro is helping some customers manage their air conditioning use through its PowerShift® program. So far this year, Toronto Hydro has activated the PowerShift® air conditioner cycling program 27 times. PowerShift® is used when temperatures reach 27 degrees Celsius or higher. More activations are expected through August.

Here are some tips to help customers conserve electricity and manage electricity costs this month:

• 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 keep the sun out.
• Many appliances use power while they're plugged in, even if they're not in use. This 'phantom power' could be costing you 5-10% more a year on your energy bills. Fight phantom power by unplugging appliances when they are not in use or by using a power bar.
• Hang clothes to dry rather than using your electric dryer.
• Sign up for peaksaver ® and get a $75 credit on your hydro bill. For more tips and information on Toronto Hydro's conservation programs like peaksaver ® and PowerShift®, visit www.torontohydro.com

*Cooling Day is a common industry term and is calculated on a base temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. 

*Smart  Meter Lane

BOILERPLATE:

Toronto Hydro Corporation is a holding company, which wholly-owns two principal subsidiaries:

• Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited - which distributes electricity and engages in Conservation and Demand Management ("CDM") activities; and
• Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc. - which provides street lighting services.

The principal business of the Corporation and its subsidiaries is the distribution of electricity by Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited. Toronto Hydro-Electric System owns and operates an electricity distribution system, which delivers electricity to approximately 696,000 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 Ontario.

For further information:

Denise Attallah, Toronto Hydro, [email protected], W: 416.542.2636, C: 416.902.9437