Toronto Hydro Summer Challenge is back

Toronto Hydro Summer Challenge offers Toronto residents and small businesses energy savings incentives: cut summer electricity use by 10% to earn a 10% bill credit. Register online by July 15; weather-normalized, conservation-focused program.

Toronto Hydro-Electric System asked customers if they would conserve more electricity if there was a financial incentive to do so.

According to a Leger Marketing survey, the overwhelming answer was 'yes' – 84 per cent of Torontonians would cut back. In response, Toronto Hydro is pleased to offer the 2009 Summer Challenge. If customers save 10 per cent on their summer electricity usage, they will receive a 10 per cent credit on their autumn electricity bill, alongside upgrade incentives available through related programs. This is on top of what they have already saved just by using less.

Customers need to register online before July 15 to be able to participate.

Residential customers that have been at their current address prior to July 1, 2008, are eligible to participate in the Summer Challenge as part of broader CDM programs planned by the utility. In order to receive the credit, they need to reduce electricity consumption between July 1 and August 31, compared to the same period last year. The data will be adjusted or normalized based on any weather differences between the summer of 2008 and 2009.

"Toronto Hydro was the first utility in Canada to introduce this popular program. We are thrilled to be repeat it again based on its previous success, such as its energy conservation program with The Home Depot initiative. I encourage all Torontonians to take advantage of this program and save energy and money," says David O’Brien, President and CEO of Toronto Hydro Corporation.

Some of the facts on Summer Challenge:

• To register for the Summer Challenge go to: www.torontohydro.com/summerchallenge or www.countmeintoronto.ca, and learn about 10 per cent hydro rebates available to participants.

• Eligible customers are residential customers and small commercial customers using less than 50 kW/month and at the same address since July 1, 2008, and the Power Savings Blitz program for small business helps support upgrades.

• Toronto Hydro first launched the Summer Challenge in 2006 - the first of its kind in Canada.

• In 2006, more than 28 per cent (or 153,637) of eligible customers took the challenge and received the 10 per cent credit. Approximately 102,000 customers reduced their use between 10 and 25 per cent and 51,237 customers achieved a reduction of 25 per cent or more.

• In 2007, 30 per cent of eligible customers achieved the savings target for a reduction of 57.6 million kWh, a level of conservation that can create a revenue shortfall for utilities.

• Also in 2007, Toronto Hydro introduced the Summer Challenge for Businesses: 24 per cent of businesses achieved the target, resulting in an energy savings of 87.8 million kWh, and a program targeting data centres expanded outreach.

• Online poll was conducted using Leger Marketing's Web panel May 7 to May 14, 2009. A total of 1,077 interviews were conducted with Toronto adults, aged 18 years or older.

• Margin of error is +/- 2.9 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

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