Together we save. 10 TREND ALERT What s new in home appliance trends? 12 MAKE A SAVINGS SPLASH Get a $400 pool pump rebate

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2 EDITOR S NOTE Together we save LET S MAKE A DEAL Coupons for six energy-efficient products page 4 IT'S EASIER ONLINE Check out our latest online tools, from our enhanced outage map and move-in/ move-out tool, to tracking your electricity usage at MyOakvilleHydro page TREND ALERT What s new in home appliance trends? 1 MAKE A SAVINGS SPLASH Get a $400 pool pump rebate SIX SAFETY STATS How well can you detect electrical hazards? page 9 With over 193,000 people (and growing!), our town has an increasing energy footprint. But we ve got an even bigger opportunity: to lead the way to a more energy-efficient future. 13 NICE RIDE! Get plugged in to the cars of the future It s so exciting to see conservation efforts get real results. It s also why we continue to provide you with fresh new ideas to use electricity wisely through this handy booklet. In this issue, we share information on coupons for energy-saving products, rebates for central air upgrades and electric vehicles, low-energy party and recipe ideas, as well as the tools and features available at MyOakvilleHydro. We hope you enjoy it. Keep up the great work, Mary Caputi Conservation Leader 14 REFRESHING REBATES Get up to $650 towards heating and cooling upgrades 0 ONGOING SUPPORT Help for households in need POWER PUDDING Quick low-energy breakfast or snack 14 COMFORT CONTROL How a smart thermostat can help you save automatically 16 HOSTING GUESTS? GO GREEN How to throw a laidback, low-energy get-together that s easy on the environment 1 Two ways to go paperless 3

3 GET IN ON THE ACTION SAY HELLO TO OUR ENERGY EXPERTS We ll be at select stores this spring with energy-saving tips and prizes. See our website for dates and locations. wow! $ 4 POWER BARS Plug electronics and other devices in to save up to 10% a month in electricity costs. The event everyone s $ 5 talking about! L FIND COUPONS IN STORES MARCH 31 APRIL 30 See a list of participating retailers at oakvillehydro.com/coupons DOWNLOAD EVEN MORE COUPONS ONLINE $ 3 OFF Power bars with integrated timer or auto-shutoff OFF Single packs of dimmer switches, timers or INDOOR MOTION SENSORS Forgot to turn your lights off? Sensors save automatically. OFF ENERGY STAR certified specialty (single or double packs) LEDs Long-lasting, durable and work well indoors and out. yay! 4 5

4 $ 15 INDOOR LIGHT FIXTURES OFF Use a quarter of the electricity of standard fixtures. ENERGY STAR certified light fixtures (3+ sockets) WHOA! $ 8 LEDs OFF ENERGY STAR c e r t i fi e d (multipacks of 3 or more) They use 75% less electricity and last up to 50,000 hours! cool! $ 4 OFF Heavy-duty OUTDOOR TIMERS Put pool pumps on timers to save up to $50 a month on electricity. 6 7

5 Are you safety savvy? It shouldn t come as a shock that electricity can be dangerous or even deadly but how well do you know the hazards? Take the quiz to find out 1 3 How close can I safely get to an overhead power line? a. 1 metre (3 feet). b. 3 metres (10 feet). c. 10 metres (30 feet). How dangerous is it to touch a power line? a. Brushing up against one wouldn't hurt. b. Maybe just a little jolt? c. Very dangerous maybe even deadly! When planting a tree or building a deck, what should I do first? a. Start digging. b. Poke around to find any underground lines. c. Call ON1Call at to have underground lines located safely How far away should I stay from a downed power line? a. 10 metres about the length of a school bus. b. 5 metres is a good safe distance. c. Less than 1 metre. What do I do if a power line falls on my car? a. Get out of the car quickly! b. Stay in the car until the power has been disconnected. c. Ask someone nearby to remove the power line. Are transformer boxes safe? a. Kids play near them all the time they must be safe. b. I might get a little shock if I opened one. c. They are very dangerous. Find more safety tips at oakvillehydro.com 8 9 Answers: 1-b, -c, 3-c, 4-a, 5-b, 6-c

6 Ask Christina Top of the charts Q: A: Q: A: Q: A: Christina, our e-correspondence expert, answers your questions about ebills. IS MY ebill THE SAME AS A PAPER BILL? Yes, your electronic bill will contain all the information that appears on your paper bill. The only difference is that ebills are accessible online anytime, in one convenient place. HOW WILL I KNOW A NEW BILL IS AVAILABLE? We ll send you a notification every time a new bill is ready online. DO I HAVE TO BACK UP MY BILLING INFORMATION ON MY COMPUTER? We securely store up to two years of past bill and payment history online, so there s no need to make backups during this time. Four appliance trends to watch for Customization and convenience lead the trends in home appliances this year and don t forget energy efficiency. 1 SMART SENSING Sensors make appliances more efficient, and life a little easier. The latest washers, for example, can adjust cycles automatically according to fabric and load levels to help save water. ENERGY STAR certified dryers use moisture sensors that detect when clothes are dry and stop the cycle automatically. CONNECTIVITY Monitor and control the latest appliances right from your smart phone. Think ovens that notify you when your food is ready, or refrigerators with wireless cameras that allow you to peek inside while you re out getting groceries. 3 CUSTOMIZATION New appliances adjust to your lifestyle with handy pre-set options. Some dishwashers have special programs for half-loads or delicate glasses. You can also set them to run automatically during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lowest. 4 ENERGY EFFICIENCY With every generation of products, energy efficiency continues to improve. This is a priority for consumers, as saving on water and energy costs means the appliance can pay for itself sooner

7 Take the plunge! UPGRADE YOUR POOL PUMP WITH A $400 REBATE! Most swimming pool pumps run 4/7, often at a higher speed than necessary for the task. That s a big opportunity to save energy! Get $400 to upgrade from a constant-speed to a variablespeed pool pump. You ll save on the purchase price and on electricity costs year after year. Rebates? HOW REFRESHING! Ticket price Annual energy consumption Average annual electricity cost COMPARE THE COSTS OF UPGRADING CONSTANT- SPEED PUMP $450,196 kwh $369 VARIABLE- SPEED PUMP $1,00 $400 rebate = $ kwh $73 Road warriors Why electric vehicles are leading the charge They re quiet, convenient and cost less to drive. If you re thinking of buying an electric vehicle (EV), it s now easier than ever to make the switch. GET MONEY BACK Government incentives give back up to $14,000 for an EV and up to $1,000 for a home charging station. BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 90%. Do you own or plan to buy an EV? 1 SPEND LESS Save hundreds of dollars a year on gasoline and on maintenance. Save even more by charging during off-peak hours. Over time, your car could pay for itself! DRIVE FURTHER A single charge can take you 140 to 450 km and, if you need a boost, there are more than 4,000 public charging stations Canada-wide. Get a special price on leasing a premium home charging station. Sign up for EVfutureGRID, a first-ofits-kind pilot program! GET A GREEN LICENCE PLATE It s smoother sailing with free access to certain high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. For more details: futuregrid.ca engineering@ oakvillehydro.com , ext. 66 Total cost over 10 years $3,690 $730 Get rebates at participating dealers. See full details at oakvillehydro.com/ poolsaver That s $,960 saved! In electricity costs over 10 years. COOL TIP! Set your pump on a timer to run only during offpeak hours when prices are lowest. Running it just six hours a day will reduce energy use by 75%. Based on $0.17/kWh, operating 16 hours per day. 1 13

8 No sweat STAY COOL WHILE KEEPING AIR CONDITIONING COSTS IN CHECK We ve all experienced those sticky summer nights when heat and humidity make it hard to stay comfortable. But cooling can account for high seasonal costs! So what s an eco-friendly, budget-conscious person to do? Here are two ways to stay comfortable without breaking the bank. Heating & Cooling Incentive GET UP TO $650* IN REBATES Upgrade to a high-efficiency central air conditioner and reduce electricity use by as much as 50%. The latest systems are quieter, more reliable and can keep your air quality consistently good. Get up to $400 for a high-efficiency central air conditioner and $50 for a high-efficiency furnace. See full details at oakvillehydro.com/heatingandcooling TWO WAYS TO STAY AS COOL AS A CUCUMBER *Incentives for installations of eligible equipment completed between January 1, 017 and June 30, 017. Your contractor must enter your online incentive submission by July 8, 017 and all supporting documentation, including the proof of purchase, must be submitted by August 30, Get set with smart tech SMART THERMOSTATS PUT YOU IN CONTROL Don t let high-tech intimidate you. With a smart thermostat, saving energy is easier than you think. 14 Learns your habits Some thermostats learn your patterns by detecting when your smart phone is nearby and adjusting your thermostat automatically. Set it and forget it Reduce cooling costs by setting your thermostat to 5 C for eight hours a day. Then shift to C automatically during offpeak hours to save. Always in control Away unexpectedly? No sweat control your home s temperature remotely using your smart phone or tablet so you don t waste energy. Connect and save Smart thermostats connect to WiFi, so you can monitor your energy use in real time. See more tips at oakvillehydro.com/cooltips IS YOUR AIR CONDITIONER PAST ITS PRIME? Four signs an upgrade s in order: It s over 10 years old Your home feels too humid Your system s noisy Your system needs frequent repairs 15

9 GET YOUR GRILL ON Less cooktop and oven use also reduces indoor heat gain. Try an all-bbq menu. LIGHT IT RIGHT Think solar-powered LED lighting to save. QUIET CUT Throw a low-energy party Here are a few simple tricks to keep the fun up and energy use down when you entertain this summer. Manual push lawn mowers run on human power only. SUPER SOAKER Avoid overwatering with sprinkler timers. COUNT ON THE COOLER Keep drinks in an ice chest to avoid continually opening your fridge. SMART CLEANUP Use the air dry setting to save up to 50% on dishwasher energy consumption. DRINK YOUR DRINK Hang onto your glass and wash fewer dishes with name charms

10 At your fi n g e r t i p s GREAT TOOLS AND FEATURES TO HELP YOU DO MORE ONLINE Outage? Track it online Get real-time outage information, right from your desktop or mobile device. 1 See outage-affected areas Know when your power will be restored Find out what caused the outage (if known) View the map at oakvilleoutages.ca One-stop services Sign up for MyOakvilleHydro The quick and convenient way to manage your account 4/7. Track your electricity usage See bill and payment history Register for ebilling Set up billing alerts and more! Set up your account at myoakvillehydro.com Moving? It s easier online 3 Scratch one thing off your moving checklist we ve made it easier to complete your move online. Just fill out the online form seven days before your moving date for seamless service that's ready when you move in. Complete your move at oakvillehydro.com 18 19

11 Together for Oakville Three programs to help more homes save IF YOU RE HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING UP WITH YOUR ELECTRICITY BILLS, WE HAVE PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP. Cut clutter, not trees Paper purge SIMPLIFY BILLING WITH TWO QUICK AND EASY SOLUTIONS 1 SIMPLIFY BILLING WITH ebills Switch to ebills for simple, secure, 4/7 access to your bills. Simply log in to your MyOakvilleHydro account. Not yet registered? No problem, it takes just minutes to set up. Go paperless at oakvillehydro.com MAKE PAYMENTS AUTOMATICALLY Make life easier with Pre-Authorized Payments. Save time, save postage and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your payment will always be made on time, even if you re away. Get details at oakvillehydro.com/pap 1 OESP LEAP 3 HAP Get ongoing assistance to help you pay your bill. The Ontario Electricity Support Program provides a monthly on-bill credit based on household income and size. Find out if you re eligible at ontarioelectricity support.ca In a bind? The Low- Income Energy Assistance Program provides one-time emergency grants to those who are having difficulty paying pastdue electricity bills. Learn if you qualify at oakvillehydro.com/leap If you qualify for the Home Assistance Program, we ll install FREE home energy upgrades, from light bulbs to appliances, to help you save energy and make your home more comfortable. To see if you qualify, please call GreenSaver, our program contractor, at

12 Try this easy, no-cook recipe to save time and electricity without adding heat to your kitchen. WHY A RECIPE? By saving electricity and keeping your air conditioner from working overtime, lowenergy cooking is a great way to go green. BONUS: It s also budgetand time-friendly. GOOD TO GO Compared to 30 minutes of daily stovetop cooking, this quick breakfast solution could also save about $50 a year in electricity costs!** **Based on $0.18/kWh using a 1500W stovetop for 30 minutes Got milk? Switch almond milk with your favourite choice of milk whole, organic or coconut. 1 Whisk chia seeds, almond milk, honey and cinnamon together until combined. Cover and refrigerate until mixture thickens, about six hours. 3 Scoop chia pudding into bowls. Serve with the toppings of your choice. PREP TIME: 10 minutes Makes: servings INGREDIENTS 480 ml ( cups) almond milk 10 ml (½ cup) white or black chia seeds 10 ml ( tsp) honey or maple syrup 1 ml (¼ tsp) cinnamon Toppings of your choice Local berries or other fruit as desired; chopped nuts; shredded coconut. 3

13 Time-of-use rates Just as traffic can peak during rush hour, so can our electricity use. With time-of-use pricing, you pay lower rates for the electricity you use during less busy times. WINTER HOURS Nov. 1 Apr p.m. 7 a.m. SUMMER HOURS May 1 Oct p.m. 7 a.m. Contact us General inquiries (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.) hydro@oakvillehydro.com 861 Redwood Square Oakville, ON L6L 6R6 7 a.m. 11 a.m. 11 a.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 a.m. 11 a.m. 11 a.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m. Report an outage oakvilleoutages.ca Year-round weekends and holidays ALL DAY Off-peak Mid-peak On-peak Report a streetlight out lights@oakvillehydro.com We re social! Find additional tips and tools to help you save electricity at oakvillehydro.com/ conservation Call before you dig or on1call.com SUMMER STORM A-BREWIN? DON T BE CAUGHT OFF-GUARD Emergency kit Update your 7-hour emergency kit so you re set all summer. Add extra bottled water, rain gear and sunscreen. Don t forget to check batteries and make sure the kit itself is waterproof. Subject to additional terms and conditions found at oakvillehydro.com/conservation. Subject to change without notice. Save on Energy is powered by the Independent Electricity System Operator and brought to you by Oakville Hydro. OM Official Mark of the Independent Electricity System Operator. Used under licence.