Greener Together
Take a Peak!
Smart meters and Time-of-Use rates are new energy management tools that will enable you to help smooth “peak demand”. When we’re all using a lot of electricity at the same time we create “peak demand” periods. And supplying electricity at those peak times has a range of impacts:
- It adds to our electricity costs because higher demand leads to higher prices.
- It's hard on the environment because meeting the peaks may require the building of additional electricity generation plants.
- It adds to the amount of new generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure Ontario must build; and consumers must pay for.
- It puts a strain on our electricity system.
Time-of-Use pricing rewards you for using electricity during low-demand periods whenever possible. These Time-of-Use rates – off-peak, mid-peak and on-peak, will vary between summer and winter. So working together to reduce our use at peak times makes good sense.
You won’t be able to shift all of your electricity use away from peak demand periods, but the more you are able to shift, the more you can manage your costs and contribute to lower overall peak electricity prices for everyone.
Where to start? Run the dishwasher before you go to bed and let it run through the night!
Come on, Ontario! Let’s shift our energy use! By implementing a few steps in your everyday life you will lower your energy consumption, and save you money simply by adjusting the time you do normal household tasks. Shift your high energy consumption activities to earlier in the morning or late at night rather than mid-day.
What exactly can you do to see results? Check out our Tips for Saving page for some great tips but here are just a few ideas of things you can do to get started:
- Wait to do the laundry until after 9:00pm or on the weekend, if this is not feasible, at least wait until after 7:00pm, when energy is in an off-peak time.
- Cooking in your microwave uses two-thirds less energy than your stove. It also doesn’t cause your house to become unbearably hot! Be a speedy chef!
- Recharge batteries, cell phones and MP3 players overnight – be sure to unplug them when they’re fully charged.
Want to learn more about Time-of-Use? Check out the Ontario Electrical Board newsletter or visit the website of your hydro company.
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Welcome
“The Greener Together” web site is your opportunity to keep up to date on the latest energy efficiency programs that help to support greener communities. We all have the power to reduce energy consumption in ways that can add up to big savings in the places we live. The ‘Greener Together’ blog led by our Conservation Ambassador, Oliver, will be telling stories about the collective changes taking place to create more energy efficient communities. We hope you will join in the conversation that will be happening each month, featuring new ideas and solutions that will put your time and energy to good use. Also, use the blog to ask questions of our Conservation Ambassador or to provide input into topics of interest you would like to see on the site.
“If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.”
Ontario is striving to reduce its energy demand and needs your help. The less energy we use, the less resources need to be consumed to supply that demand. How can you make a difference? Use this website and create your own Power Plan. Every couple of months the site will feature 5 tips that will help you lower your energy bill. These tips can be used to create your Power Plan. Remembering to turn off the lights in unoccupied rooms or shutting down computers running at night are just a couple of ways we can work together to decrease our energy footprint.
Use sticky note reminders on your computer and/or light switches to ensure that you switch off these common energy sinks that are often forgotten.
my power plan
Saving energy seems like a good idea, but without a plan of action where does a person start? Committing to just one or two actions a month may be the best way to make the changes that are suggested on this site. You probably are already doing 
lots of things like shutting off the tap when brushing your teeth, or turning off lights in occupied rooms. There is always room for improvement and that is why we suggest you try making your own Power Plan. Each month challenge yourself, your room mates, partner, or children to stick to a task. The stories that you share with our conservation ambassador will become part of this site, offering inspiration to others facing similar challenges. See how one family created their plan
Rewards yourself with 20 air miles and take the Power Pledge today.
Make a positive change by taking The Power Pledge — it won't take long! With a few simple changes, you can lower your electricity use and increase your savings. Plus, you’ll join the other Ontarians who have already taken The Power Pledge to make a positive impact on the environment.
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We are proud to have Passion for Action as our technology partner in the development our this web site and the Commute Tracker functionality. Passion for Action is a Vancouver based social enterprise that has been supporting non-profit organization's create innovative programs and tools since 2002. Passion for Action develops CMS based web sites, database connect actiity tracker and carbon footprint calculators, and engagement programming. www.passion4action.com
We are proud to have Passion for Action as our technology partner in the development our this web site and the Commute Tracker functionality. Passion for Action is a Vancouver based social enterprise that has been supporting non-profit organization's create innovative programs and tools since 2002. Passion for Action develops CMS based web sites, database connect actiity tracker and carbon footprint calculators, and engagement programming. www.passion4action.com
We are proud to have Passion for Action as our technology partner in the development our this web site and the Commute Tracker functionality. Passion for Action is a Vancouver based social enterprise that has been supporting non-profit organization's create innovative programs and tools since 2002. Passion for Action develops CMS based web sites, database connect actiity tracker and carbon footprint calculators, and engagement programming. www.passion4action.com
We are proud to have Passion for Action as our technology partner in the development our this web site and the Commute Tracker functionality. Passion for Action is a Vancouver based social enterprise that has been supporting non-profit organization's create innovative programs and tools since 2002. Passion for Action develops CMS based web sites, database connect actiity tracker and carbon footprint calculators, and engagement programming. www.passion4action.com
TEST
“The Greener Together” web site is your opportunity to keep up to date on the latest energy efficiency programs that help to support greener communities. We all have the power to reduce energy consumption in ways that can add up to big savings in the places we live. The ‘Greener Together’ blog led by our Conservation Ambassador, Oliver, will be telling stories about the collective changes taking place to create more energy efficient communities. We hope you will join in the conversation that will be happening each month, featuring new ideas and solutions that will put your time and energy to good use. Also, use the blog to ask questions of our Conservation Ambassador or to provide input into topics of interest you would like to see on the site.
“The Greener Together” web site is your opportunity to keep up to date on the latest energy efficiency programs that help to support greener communities. We all have the power to reduce energy consumption in ways that can add up to big savings in the places we live. The ‘Greener Together’ blog led by our Conservation Ambassador, Oliver, will be telling stories about the collective changes taking place to create more energy efficient communities. We hope you will join in the conversation that will be happening each month, featuring new ideas and solutions that will put your time and energy to good use. Also, use the blog to ask questions of our Conservation Ambassador or to provide input into topics of interest you would like to see on the site.
“The Greener Together” web site is your opportunity to keep up to date on the latest energy efficiency programs that help to support greener communities. We all have the power to reduce energy consumption in ways that can add up to big savings in the places we live. The ‘Greener Together’ blog led by our Conservation Ambassador, Oliver, will be telling stories about the collective changes taking place to create more energy efficient communities. We hope you will join in the conversation that will be happening each month, featuring new ideas and solutions that will put your time and energy to good use. Also, use the blog to ask questions of our Conservation Ambassador or to provide input into topics of interest you would like to see on the site.
“The Greener Together” web site is your opportunity to keep up to date on the latest energy efficiency programs that help to support greener communities. We all have the power to reduce energy consumption in ways that can add up to big savings in the places we live. The ‘Greener Together’ blog led by our Conservation Ambassador, Oliver, will be telling stories about the collective changes taking place to create more energy efficient communities. We hope you will join in the conversation that will be happening each month, featuring new ideas and solutions that will put your time and energy to good use. Also, use the blog to ask questions of our Conservation Ambassador or to provide input into topics of interest you would like to see on the site.
welcome.
“The Greener Together” web site is your opportunity to keep up to date on the latest energy efficiency programs that help to support greener communities. We all have the power to reduce energy consumption in ways that can add up to big savings in the places we live. The ‘Greener Together’ blog led by our Conservation Ambassador, Oliver, will be telling stories about the collective changes taking place to create more energy efficient communities. We hope you will join in the conversation that will be happening each month, featuring new ideas and solutions that will put your time and energy to good use. Also, use the blog to ask questions of our Conservation Ambassador or to provide input into topics of interest you would like to see on the site.
making a difference
“If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.”
Ontario is striving to reduce its energy demand and needs your help. The less energy we use, the less resources need to be consumed to supply that demand. How can you make a difference? Use this website and create your own Power Plan. Every couple of months the site will feature 5 tips that will help you lower your energy bill. These tips can be used to create your Power Plan. Remembering to turn off the lights in unoccupied rooms or shutting down computers running at night are just a couple of ways we can work together to decrease our energy footprint.
Use sticky note reminders on the computer and/or light switches to ensure that you switch off these common energy sinks that are often forgotten.
my power plan
Saving energy seems like a good idea, but without a plan of action where does a person start? Committing to just one or two actions a month may be the best way to make the changes that are suggested on this site. You probably are already doing lots of things like shutting off the tap when brushing your teeth, or turning off lights in occupied rooms. There is always room for improvement and that is why we suggest you try making your own Power Plan. Each month challenge yourself, your room mates, partner, or children to stick to a task. The stories that you share with our conservation ambassador will become part of this site, offering inspiration to others facing similar challenges. See how one family created their plan
Feature Program
Rewards yourself with 20 air miles and take the Power Pledge today.
Make a positive change by taking The Power Pledge — it won't take long! With a few simple changes, you can lower your electricity use and increase your savings. Plus, you’ll join the other Ontarians who have already taken The Power Pledge to make a positive impact on the environment.
Videos
Take a look at these fun energy savings videos to get some fun ideas that will save the planet.
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Energy Quiz
See how much energy you really use and who has the most energy smarts in your household.
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Myth Busters
Is it fact, or fiction? Energy myths debunked here. Learn what really makes a difference to the environment.
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