Hilo challenges help you save. During the colder months, we suggest up to 30 reduction challenges. If you agree to take them on, you get a cash reward. It’s easy: accept Hilo’s automatic prompts and get a reward for each kilowatthour (kWh) that you don’t use.
Hilo challenges help you save. During the colder months, we suggest up to 30 reduction challenges. If you agree to take them on, you get a cash reward. It’s easy: accept Hilo’s automatic prompts and get a reward for each kilowatthour (kWh) that you don’t use.
A Hilo challenge is a single event during which you’re invited to reduce the setpoint temperature of your thermostats. Hilo challenges take place during peak consumption periods, between 6 and 10 a.m. or 5 to 9 p.m., or during both these periods.
In a typical Quebec winter, you can expect about 30 Hilo challenges. The more you participate in, the more rewards you’ll earn! For every challenge, you decide the terms of your participation – bold or moderate mode, with or without preheating – according to your preferences. Bold participation mode reduces the setpoint temperature of your thermostats more significantly than moderate mode, but the potential rewards are more generous. You can also program a preheating period in certain rooms for added comfort.
It’s easy! You’re automatically signed up to participate in all the Hilo challenges for which you will receive notifications. Of course, you always stay in control of your thermostats and can choose not to participate in a challenge.
Before the set challenge time, the temperature will go up to ensure an optimal level of comfort in your home. You can program some or all of your thermostats to preheat or you can decide not to preheat at all. It’s your call!
The temperature in your home will go down during the challenge. You can program some or all of your thermostats to drop to a lower temperature.
The temperature in your home will gradually return to its normal level all on its own. Challenge met? Your reward awaits.
Hilo alerts you before each new challenge to give you the time to get ready. During the colder months (from December 1 to March 31), the challenges can take place from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and at the end of the day from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Before each Hilo challenge, you can select your mode of participation: moderate or intrepid. In moderate mode, the temperature will go up by 1.5°C during the preheating phase and will drop by 3°C during the reduction phase. In intrepid mode, the temperature will go up by 2°C during the preheating phase and will drop by 4°C during the reduction phase. Moderate or intrepid, it’s your call!
It’s simple: the less energy you consume during a challenge, the more cash you get back.
We’ll take care of everything, and you'll be able to track your challenges with the Hilo mobile app.
Did you complete the Hilo challenge without a hitch? Did you get cold? We want to know everything. By sharing your comfort level, your satisfaction with the challenge and your experience as a whole, you’ll help us continue improving.
Peaks periods occur when electricity demand is at its highest because so many customers are cranking up the heat or using energy-intensive appliances at the same time. That puts the Hydro-Québec grid under a lot of pressure for a few hours.