Consumption 101
5 min
WHY BE ENERGY WISE? Peak periods and actions you can take to ease the pressure on the grid
What’s a peak period?
Peak periods occur when we’re all using electricity at the same time, when our daily routines lead to high demand: in the morning and the late afternoon and evening.
In winter, the peaks are more intense because most Quebecers heat with electricity. On the coldest days, that puts significant pressure on the grid.
To see how peak periods affect the grid, you can check power demand data in real time.
Video : Winter Peaks
Examples and simple analogies make it easy to understand how winter peaks affect our grid and why it’s essential to adopt the right habits.
Running time: 1 minute 20 seconds
Peak demand events
In winter, particularly on the coldest days, the power grid can be under significant pressure. Hydro-Québec may ask its customers to use less electricity at specific times during what we call peak demand events.
- There may be up to 30 peak demand events each winter, from December 1 to March 30 between 6 and 10 a.m. and 4 and 8 p.m.
- To participate in peak demand events and save up to 20% on your winter electricity bill, sign up for one of the options offered.
Small changes make a big difference
By rethinking when we use electricity and taking simple actions, we can ease pressure on the grid.
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Heating
Turn down the heat by at least 2 °C at the start of a peak period.
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Hot water
Use hot water outside peak hours whenever you can.
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Appliances
Wait until the peak has passed to use major appliances like the dryer and dishwasher.
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Electric vehicle
Opt to charge your EV during the night whenever you can.
Keep it simple: Install smart thermostats for $0
With smart thermostats now at $0 including installation*, Hilo automatically reduces your electricity use during peak demand events and helps you maximize your savings.
*Conditions apply.
Why use less electricity during peak periods?
When you use less electricity during peak periods, you help limit demand. Hydro-Québec can then avoid (or defer) the additional costs of:
- purchasing electricity at higher prices from neighbouring systems
- installing new equipment in existing generating stations
- building new electrical facilities
Being energy wise means doing our part to make the grid more stable and sustainable and build a green energy future.
We all have a part to play
Québec still relies on fuels that emit GHGs. It’s essential to use energy more wisely and replace fossil fuels with clean energy. We all have a part to play!
Running time: 1 minute 32 seconds
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