Toronto Hydro Lights the Way with Incentives for Green-minded Builders

TORONTO, April 20 /CNW/ -

NEWS

Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited ("Toronto Hydro") is introducing a new incentive program to encourage Toronto builders to install ENERGY STAR(R) qualified lighting fixtures. Toronto Hydro will now provide a financial incentive of $15 per ENERGY STAR qualified fixture installed during the construction of any new high rise or low rise residential building.

The incentive program is designed to help builders/developers offset the incremental up-front costs of installing more efficient lighting in new buildings. It also encourages the adoption of higher efficiency building practices that are intended to create greener buildings, lower environmental footprint and ultimately benefit the end user by reducing their future energy consumption and costs.

The adoption of higher efficiency building practices by builders and developers may well help offset future electricity load growth and ease the strain on Toronto Hydro's grid.

To Qualify: Projects must be constructed or under construction in 2010 and meet the minimum incentive level of $200 (about 14 fixtures). To qualify, the customer must complete an application and obtain advance approval for the proposed project. The process is straightforward and can be completed on the Toronto Hydro website with approvals given normally within one week.

For more information on the program, to apply for the program, and to view various ENERGY STAR fixtures that qualify, visit www.torontohydro.com/construction.

QUOTE

    
    "Offering condominium buyers greener, more energy efficient buildings may
     well provide developers with an attractive sales offer for some
     buyers."

    Chris Tyrrell, Chief Conservation Officer, Toronto Hydro
    

FACTS

Energy Star Qualified Fixtures*:

    
    -   Use approximately 75 per cent less energy than standard incandescent
        lighting;
    -   Are standardized and interchangeable between manufacturers;
    -   Carry a two-year warranty - double the industry standard;
    -   Are designed for optimum performance, distributing light efficiently
        and evenly;
    -   Come in hundreds of decorative styles including hard-wired options
        such as front porch, dining room, kitchen ceiling and under-cabinet,
        hallway ceiling and wall, bathroom vanity fixtures and more; and
    -   Mostly use ENERGY STAR qualified Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) -
        on average, they only need to be changed once every seven years.
    

LINKS:

Toronto Hydro: www.torontohydro.com/construction.

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 690,000 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.

*Natural Resources Canada

For further information: Tanya Bruckmueller, Toronto Hydro, [email protected], W: [phone], C: [phone]