Manage your energy use better during winter peaks
Managing your energy use better means using electricity wisely and avoiding wasting energy. But it also means helping to reduce the pressure on Hydro‑Québec’s grid during cold snaps.
Join the collective effort
Every little bit helps when it comes to reducing the impact of winter peaks! You have three options:
- Rate Flex D (dynamic pricing)
- Winter credit (dynamic pricing)
- Hilo smart home service
Regardless of the option you choose, you’ll optimize your energy use at home when demand is high, which will lead to savings on your bill or cash rewards. How? By participating in close to 30 peak demand events or Hilo challenges between December 1 and March 31.
Which offer works best for you?
The actions you’re willing to take on a daily basis will help you decide. The following questions may help you make your decision:
- Would one of these options help me save money based on my lifestyle?
- Do I prefer taking steps myself using equipment I have at home?
- Would I prefer a turnkey solution that allows me to automate the management of my equipment?
Still hesitating? The following table will help you make an informed decision.
Comparison of offers
General operation
DYNAMIC PRICING Rate Flex D
You follow our advice and shift your electricity use outside peak demand events in order to save on your electricity bill.
DYNAMIC PRICING Winter credit
You follow our advice and reduce your electricity use during peak demand events to obtain credits on your electricity bill.
Hilo smart home service
You participate in the Hilo challenges to earn cash rewards: Hilo automatically manages the temperature setting of your thermostats to help you reduce your consumption.
Advantages
DYNAMIC PRICING Rate Flex D
In winter, you pay a lower electricity rate than the base rate, except during peak demand events, when the rate is higher.
You can make significant savings, but you may end up paying more if you don’t take the proper actions.
The day after a peak demand event, you can view your savings in your Customer Space.
DYNAMIC PRICING Winter credit
You receive one credit for every kilowatthour (kWh) curtailed* if you reduce your electricity use by 2 kWh or more per event.
This option is risk-free. If you follow our advice, your bill can only go down.
The day after a peak demand event, you can view your credits in your Customer Space.
Hilo smart home service
You earn cash rewards for each kilowatthour (kWh) curtailed* while you participate in the Hilo challenges.
You can also save up to 15% on your annual electricity bill.
With the Hilo app, you can easily manage your entire home, even remotely, and access your energy use data.
*A kilowatthour (kWh) curtailed corresponds to a kilowatthour not consumed during peak periods compared with your usual energy use.
Calculation of potential savings
DYNAMIC PRICING Rate Flex D
DYNAMIC PRICING Winter credit
Hilo smart home service
Required equipment
DYNAMIC PRICING Rate Flex D
Equipment currently in the home
DYNAMIC PRICING Winter credit
Equipment currently in the home
Hilo smart home service
Smart home bundles, including smart thermostats and connected devices, that are tailored to the size of your home.
To use the Hilo mobile app, you need a high-speed Internet connection and a smart mobile device.
Purchase cost
DYNAMIC PRICING Rate Flex D
None
DYNAMIC PRICING Winter credit
None
Hilo smart home service
Starting at $199.99** without monthly fees
**Some conditions apply.
How it works outside peak demand events or Hilo challenges (December 1 to March 31)
DYNAMIC PRICING Rate Flex D
You pay an electricity rate that is up to 30% lower than the base rate.
DYNAMIC PRICING Winter credit
You pay the base rate.
Hilo smart home service
You pay the base rate.
How it works during peak demand events or Hilo challenges (December 1 to March 31)
DYNAMIC PRICING Rate Flex D
You pay an electricity rate higher than the base rate, i.e., 51.967¢ per kilowatthour (kWh) used.
DYNAMIC PRICING Winter credit
You pay the base rate.
Hydro‑Québec gives you a credit of 51.967¢ for each kilowatthour (kWh) curtailed.
Hilo smart home service
You pay the base rate.
Hilo gives you a cash reward of 55¢ for each kilowatthour (kWh) curtailed.
Contract
DYNAMIC PRICING Rate Flex D
No
DYNAMIC PRICING Winter credit
No
Additional information and signing up
Dynamic pricing
You can sign up directly in your Hydro‑Québec Customer Space.
For more information:
- Consult our web page on dynamic pricing
- Contact our customer services at 1 877 234‑6548 (access code 8334)
Hilo smart home service
You can purchase a smart home bundle on Hilo’s website.
Installation included by a master electrician designated by Hilo.
For more information:
- Visit the Hilo website
- Contact Hilo’s customer services at 438 289‑4456 or at 1 844 500‑4456 (toll‑free)
What conditions need to be met?
In addition to your desire to use electricity more responsibly and to save money, you must be a Hydro‑Québec customer to take advantage of one of these offers. Please note that they cannot be combined.
A great success
During the winter 2021‑2022 season, these offers enabled tens of thousands of customers to save money while reducing demand on the power grid by more than 170 MW. How? Simply by making a few small changes to their consumption habits for about 100 hours during the winter. We all win by being energy wise.
Consult the results:
