Beatrice Lang
The Peak Perks program is a demand response program that aims to reduce electricity demand during peak hours. It is offered by EnergyHub in partnership with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in Ontario. The program is open to residents and small businesses with eligible smart thermostats who are willing to reduce their energy consumption during periods of high electricity demand, typically on hot summer days. Participants are rewarded with financial incentives such as prepaid gift cards or credits on their bills. Similar programs offered by other electricity providers, such as EnergyUnited and PG&E, also aim to incentivize customers to manage their energy usage during peak demand periods, contributing to a more reliable and sustainable energy grid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Peak Perks |
| Administering Authority | Save on Energy |
| Area | Ontario, Canada |
| Participants | Residents and small businesses with eligible smart thermostats |
| Incentives | $75 virtual prepaid Mastercard for enrolling, $20 for each additional year of enrolment |
| Conditions | Participants must reduce energy use during periods of peak electricity demand |
| Occurrence | Up to 10 times between June and September, only on weekdays, for up to 3 hours |
| Opt-Out | Participants can opt out of thermostat adjustments at any time |
| Exclusions | Electricity customers in Cornwall, Ontario, who are connected to the Hydro Quebec electricity grid |
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What You'll Learn
How to earn incentives
The Peak Perks program is a great way for residents and small businesses to save on their energy bills and earn incentives. Here are some ways to earn these incentives:
Enroll in the Program
When you sign up for the Peak Perks program, you will receive a $75 virtual prepaid Mastercard®. This is a great incentive to start managing your electricity consumption and saving money.
Stay Enrolled
For each additional year that you stay enrolled in the program, you will receive an additional $20 virtual prepaid Mastercard®. This incentive is a great way to encourage continued participation and help reduce energy consumption during peak periods.
Reduce Energy Use During Peak Demand
The main objective of the Peak Perks program is to reduce energy consumption during periods of high electricity demand, typically during the hottest summer days. Participants are rewarded for reducing their energy use during these peak times, which helps to lower the stress on the electrical grid. You can do this by adjusting your thermostat, lighting, and shifting the time you use large appliances.
Take Advantage of Smart Thermostat Rebates
If you don't already have a smart thermostat, you can take advantage of rebates and offers available through the Peak Perks program or your local electric utility. Smart thermostats allow you to conveniently manage your energy use and participate in brief, time-limited thermostat adjustments during peak demand periods.
Enroll in Additional Programs
In addition to Peak Perks, there are other programs offered by energy providers that can help you save on your energy bills and earn incentives. For example, EnergyUnited offers the Peak Time Perks program, which rewards participants for allowing adjustments to their thermostat during peak periods. There are also programs like WaterSaver, which offers a $50 gift card enrollment bonus and additional monthly incentives for reducing energy consumption.
By following these steps and participating in the Peak Perks program, you can effectively earn incentives while contributing to a more reliable and sustainable energy grid.
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Eligibility requirements
To be eligible to participate in the Peak Perks program, you must meet the following requirements:
Residential or Small Business Electricity Customer:
Firstly, you must be a residential or small business electricity customer in Ontario, Canada. This program is specifically designed for customers within the Ontario energy market.
Eligible Thermostat and Air Conditioning System:
You must have an eligible smart thermostat installed in your home or business. The eligible thermostats include specific models from ecobee, Emerson Sensi, Google Nest, and Honeywell. This thermostat should be connected to a central air conditioning system or a heat pump unit. The thermostat must also be Wi-Fi-enabled, allowing for remote adjustments.
Business Employee Limitations:
If you are a business owner, your business should have 50 or fewer employees on-site at any point in time, under its full operating capacity. This ensures that the program is targeted at small businesses.
Non-Participation in Other Demand Response Programs:
You should not be participating in any other demand response programs in Ontario where your thermostat is automatically adjusted to reduce energy consumption during peak demand periods. This ensures that there are no conflicts with other energy-saving initiatives.
Electricity Provider and Grid Considerations:
Eligibility also depends on your electricity provider and the grid you are connected to. For example, electricity customers in Cornwall, Ontario, who are connected to the Hydro Quebec electricity grid, are not eligible for the Peak Perks program.
It is important to note that eligibility requirements may vary slightly depending on your specific location and electricity provider. It is always a good idea to review the program requirements and eligibility criteria provided by your local utility company or energy provider.
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How to enrol
To enrol in the Peak Perks program, you must be a residential or small business electricity customer in Ontario with a smart thermostat. Specifically, you must have a smart thermostat that is connected to a central air conditioning system or a heat pump. Eligible thermostats include ecobee, Emerson Sensi, Google Nest, and Honeywell.
If you meet these requirements, you can enrol in the Peak Perks program by visiting the Peak Perks website or the website of your electricity provider. For example, EnergyUnited customers can enrol in Peak Time Perks by visiting the EnergyUnited website.
Additionally, if you are an Enbridge customer, you may be able to take advantage of the Home Renovation Savings Program, which offers rebates on smart thermostats and other eligible energy-efficiency upgrades. You can also check with your local electric utility for any rebates that may be available or watch for any deals offered by smart thermostat manufacturers.
Once you have enrolled in the Peak Perks program, you will be notified via text and/or email during periods of high electricity demand. Your thermostat will then automatically adjust the temperature to reduce your energy consumption. You can opt out of these adjustments at any time through your thermostat's app, your web browser, or directly on your thermostat.
By enrolling in the Peak Perks program, you will receive incentives such as a $75 virtual prepaid Mastercard when you enrol and an additional $20 virtual prepaid Mastercard for each year you remain enrolled.
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What happens during an event
The Peak Perks program is a residential demand response program that aims to reduce peak electrical load in Ontario. It is a collaboration between EnergyHub and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), Ontario's grid operator.
During an event, you will be notified via text and/or email, and your smart thermostat will automatically adjust the temperature to reduce energy consumption. These adjustments are brief and time-limited, typically lasting between 3 and 4 hours, and occur only on weekdays during periods of peak electricity demand. You can opt out of an event at any time through your thermostat's app, web browser, or directly on your thermostat.
The number of interventions is limited, and the temperature adjustments are biased towards saving electricity. The adjustments can also be overridden if needed. Once the event ends, your thermostat will resume its normal programming.
By participating in these events, you will be rewarded for managing your electricity consumption and helping to reduce stress on the grid during hot days. The program offers financial incentives, such as a $75 virtual prepaid Mastercard upon enrollment and a $20 virtual prepaid Mastercard for each additional year of participation.
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Other energy incentive programs
The Peak Perks program is a demand response program that rewards participants for reducing their energy use during periods of high electricity demand in Ontario. It is a Bring Your Own Thermostat (BYOT) program, meaning participants must have an eligible smart thermostat installed.
The US Department of Energy offers various financial incentives and assistance programs to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption. These include:
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) - This program reduces energy costs for low-income households by improving their homes' energy efficiency.
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - LIHEAP provides financial assistance to eligible low-income households to help with heating and cooling energy costs, bill payments, and energy crisis assistance.
- Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM) - These mortgages help buyers qualify for more expensive homes if they are energy-efficient or enable buyers to make energy-efficient improvements to their existing homes.
- Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency - Taxpayers can claim credits for investing in renewable energy technology (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.) or making energy-efficient improvements to their primary homes. These credits can be worth up to 30% of the costs and can be combined with other credits for significant savings.
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Frequently asked questions
The perks program for electricity, also known as the Peak Perks program, is a way for residential customers to be rewarded financially for supporting the grid during peak summer months.
Customers who are willing to conserve energy and reduce their air conditioning at peak times will receive a \$75 virtual prepaid Mastercard for enrolling, as well as a \$20 virtual prepaid Mastercard for each year they stay enrolled.
To enrol in the perks program, you must be a residential or small business electricity customer with a smart thermostat connected to a central air conditioning system or a heat pump. You can then enrol via the Peak Perks website or by contacting the program providers directly.
