Toronto Hydro wants you to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Earth Hour this weekend

Toronto Hydro is encouraging residents to participate in Earth Hour by turning off all non-essential electronic devices and lights between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. tonight. (CNW Group/Toronto Hydro Corporation)

Toronto Hydro customers have helped take the equivalent of 600 large condos off the grid by reducing their electricity use. They’re encouraged to continue this commitment to conservation by participating in Earth Hour tonight. (CNW Group/Toronto Hydro Corporation)

This year's event highlights a decade of smarter energy use by Torontonians

TORONTO, March 25, 2017 /CNW/ - Toronto Hydro is encouraging customers to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of Earth Hour by going dark on Saturday, March 25 between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 

Ten years after the inaugural Earth Hour, our latest conservation numbers show that customers are making a concerted effort to save energy year-round.

In fact, according to our recent Twitter poll, 54% of people say they've become smarter about their electricity use habits in the last 10 years. From 2006-2015, Torontonians achieved 1,756 gigawatt hours (GWh) in total energy savings, the equivalent of taking 600 large condos off the grid. Those savings have helped the city avoid 1.1 million tonnes in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which is the equivalent of taking 34,000 cars off the road.

To maintain those positive energy use trends, and to show support for Earth Hour, customers can safely go "off the grid" by turning off all non-essential lighting, appliances and devices for the entire hour. Remember, if using candles as a light source, do not leave them unattended.

Last year, electricity usage during Earth Hour dropped by 3.2% in Toronto.

For tips to help you save energy during Earth Hour and throughout the year, visit torontohydro.com/conservation.

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

• Install and use a programmable thermostat to automatically manage your heating and cooling
• Switch to ENERGY STAR® certified LED bulbs for more durable, versatile and longer-lasting lights that use up to 75% less electricity than standard bulbs
• Plug in to power bars with timers/auto shut-off or unplug appliances and devices that aren't being used to avoid phantom power
• Save laundry and set your dishwasher for off-peak hours, evenings after 7 p.m. and all-day weekends and holidays to save

QUOTES

"We want to congratulate our customers for their year-round commitment to reducing their electricity use. We encourage everyone who's able to participate in this year's event to show their support for Earth Hour and turn off their lights on Saturday between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m."

- Tori Gass, Media Relations Specialist, Toronto Hydro

ABOUT EARTH HOUR

Earth Hour is a global environmental initiative in partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which asks individuals, businesses, governments and communities to turn off their lights to show their support for environmentally sustainable action.

ABOUT TORONTO HYDRO

Toronto Hydro owns and operates the electricity distribution system for Canada's largest city. A leader in conservation and demand management, it has 761,000 customers located in the city of Toronto and distributes approximately 19% of the electricity consumed in Ontario.

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SOURCE Toronto Hydro Corporation

Tori Gass, Communications and Public Relations, 416-903-4037, [email protected]; 24-hour media line: 416-903-6845, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.torontohydro.com