Make peak demand events a family affair!
The start of the cold season is the perfect time to get smarter about your energy use — especially during peak demand events. And if you’ve got kids at home, involving them can be both easy and fun, all while keeping your savings on track. Here are a few simple ways to make it happen.
First things first: What’s a peak demand event?
Winter peak periods are times when Hydro-Québec’s grid experiences high demand, usually between December and March. That’s when peak demand events come into play! During these events, the set temperature on your thermostats is automatically lowered to reduce your energy use. You won’t be caught off guard: a notification will be sent before 6 p.m. the day before, giving you plenty of time to prepare with your family and choose your settings. Naturally, the more you participate, the more energy — and money — your household can save!
“We eat earlier when there’s an event in the evening, or I change the menu. I also run the washer and dryer earlier or later. It’s easy to get ready for these events, and my girls often ask me how many kilowatt-hours we saved (alt: used)!”
— James, father of two kids, ages 9 and 13
Choose your participation mode: Moderate, Intrepid, or Extreme
You’re in control of your settings! For each event, you choose whichever participation mode — Moderate, Intrepid, or Extreme — best fits your needs. You can also add a preheating phase before the event. That way, the temperature rises by a few degrees to keep you comfortable, then decreases during the reduction phase.
Need to maintain the temperature in the nursery? You can exclude specific thermostats from Hilo’s automation during an event. Do your kids stay with you every other week? Simply switch from Extreme mode to Intrepid or Moderate with preheating turned on when they’re back home. Every family can decide what works best for them in terms of both comfort... and savings.
“I turn off automation in my girls’ rooms so they stay comfortable during peak demand events!”
— Coralie, mother of two kids under 5
“Extreme mode was a bit too intense for my kids, even with an extra sweater. So we switched to Moderate mode — and everyone was happy!”
— Julie, mother of two young adults
Peak events can be fun (yes, really!)
Why not turn these events into opportunities for play and relaxation with a fun family activity? Think a living room picnic, a movie night under a blanket with popcorn and candy, or even a sing-along shower — the possibilities are endless! You could also explore more energy-efficient ways of cooking meals the whole family will love.
“For evening events, the kids bring out their fleece animal onesies!”
— Pascale, mother of two kids, ages 3 and 5
