Toronto Hydro helps customers earn a green belt in conservation

TORONTO, Oct. 19 /CNW/ - Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited ("Toronto Hydro") is launching Beat the Peak for customers looking to become more proficient in the art of electricity shifting and to crescent-kick phantom power goodbye!

In partnership with Toronto-area Sears, Walmart Canada and select Canadian Tire and Staples, this month Toronto Hydro will give away 50,000 pre-programmed power bars.  The program will offer Toronto Hydro Time-of-Use (TOU) customers with an opportunity to take advantage of the rates by providing them with simple solutions to chop unnecessary kilowatt hour use during the highest priced or 'on-peak' times.  The power bars are pre-programmed to coincide with on-peak and off-peak rates in Toronto.

Leaving electronic gadgets or devices charging during on-peak times can really hit where it hurts - the electricity bill! Using a pre-programmed power bar is a solid self-defence technique when sparring against a rising bill. It ensures cell phones, digital cameras, MP3 players, computers and other devices are charged during the lowest priced or 'off-peak' times.

The pre-programmed power bar will even combat against most elusive electricity waster: phantom power!  Also known as standby power, phantom power is the electricity drawn even when an electronic device or appliance is not in use but still plugged in and it can account for a up to 15 per cent(1) of a household's electricity use. By turning itself off and on, the pre-programmed power bar will turn any customer into a lean, mean fighting machine against wasted electricity and ensure they beat the peak!

For more information on the pre-programmed power bar or to earn a third-degree green belt in conservation, click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip3ZWxMwAX0

Facts:

• How it works: The first 500 Toronto Hydro TOU customers are eligible to receive a free pre-programmed power bar when they present their 2010 August/September bill at Toronto-area Walmart Canada and Sears stores or select Canadian Tire and Staples stores during the last two weekends in October while supplies last
• Collectively, the electricity savings of using 50,000 pre-programmed powers bar is equivalent to the average annual electricity consumption of 300 households in Toronto (2).

Links:

For more details, program terms and conditions please visit: www.torontohydro.com/powerbar

About Toronto Hydro

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.

1. Ontario Power Authority
2. Toronto Hydro

For further information:

Media Contact:

Denise Attallah
[email protected]
W: 416-542-2636
C: 416-902-9437