Reduce the use of energy-intensive appliances
How Hilo works
Save more by using less
Hilo automates your connected devices during peak demand events — helping you use less electricity and save without sacrificing comfort.
How does it work?
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Maximize your savings with Hilo and Rate Flex D
With Hilo, you benefit from Rate Flex D, which helps you save with lower electricity prices in winter. The only exception is during key periods called peak demand events.
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Reduce your consumption when it matters most
By lowering your electricity use during winter peaks, you help limit the need to import costlier, less clean energy.
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Let Hilo do the work
During peak events, Hilo automates the management of your connected devices. The Hilo hub, included with your registration, connects your Hilo products and compatible devices to the app. Choose your participation level based on your comfort, and you're all set!
What’s a peak demand event?
A peak demand event is a period — usually during extreme cold — when Hydro‑Québec anticipates high electricity demand across the province. To prevent overloading the grid, everyone is encouraged to reduce their energy use during these critical times. That’s where Hilo comes in. By automating certain devices — like your thermostats — Hilo helps you lower your consumption without the hassle.
Overview
- Up to 30 events per winter
- Events take place between December 1 and March 31
- Each event lasts four hours: from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., any day of the week
- Hilo manages your connected devices to reduce your electricity use, with minimal impact on your comfort. You can take back control at any time, if needed.
Under no circumstances can this information be considered a substitute for the document titled Electricity Rates.
Duration: 1 minute 30 seconds
- Narrator We're planning a peak demand event for tomorrow morning.
- 00:06 Think you can lower your electricity use when it counts?
- 00:11 Choose the participation mode that feels right for you.
- 00:17 Before the event, your home is automatically preheated.
- 00:22 At the start of the event, the temperature is automatically lowered.
- 00:27 Once the event ends, the temperature gradually returns to normal.
- 00:35 The more devices you connect to Hilo,
- 00:37 the more you can cut your consumption and save.
- 00:41 When you sign up for Hilo, you're automatically switched
- 00:44 to Hydro-Québec's Rate Flex D.
- 00:48 How dœs it work?
- 00:49 In winter, outside of peak events, the electricity costs less than it would
- 00:54 under the base rate.
- 00:56 During peak events, it costs more.
- 01:00 With Rate Flex D,
- 01:01 you can save up to 20% on your winter electricity bill.
- 01:06 The electricity saved during peak events
- 01:08 becomes available for the rest of the grid,
- 01:11 helping meet Québec's growing energy demand.
- 01:16 Hilo simplifies your life and helps you reduce your energy use
- 01:20 with remote control of your connected devices.
- 01:27 Hilo by Hydro-Québec
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Preheating phase
2 hours
Your home's temperature rises to keep you comfortable during the peak event. By default, preheating is enabled for all connected thermostats. You can choose to apply it to only some of them — or turn it off entirely. It’s up to you! Depending on your participation mode, the temperature will increase by 1°C or 2°C during this phase.
Reduction phase (peak event)
4 hours
Depending on the mode you’ve selected for your thermostats — Moderate, Intrepid, or Extreme — your home’s temperature will drop by 3, 4, or 6°C. If applicable, your EV charging will also be paused, and your water heater controller will cut power to the tank. Since electricity prices are higher during peak demand events, reducing your consumption helps you maintain your savings. You can always take back control of your automated devices, if needed.
Recovery phase
1 hour
The temperature gradually returns to normal, and any paused EV charging resumes. If you have a water heater controller, it restarted the device at the end of the peak event (i.e., the reduction phase) — no effort required on your part.
Hilo controls your connected devices. The rest is up to you
During peak demand events, the less you consume, the more you maintain your savings. Every small action makes a difference...
Limit hot water consumption
Limit use of your air exchanger — especially in exchange mode
What does the Hilo app do?
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Peak event notifications
Get a notification the day before each peak demand event — and another just before it starts — so you have time to prepare. Take the opportunity to plan your use of energy-intensive appliances that aren’t connected to Hilo. -
Settings and preferences
Want to make changes? You can adjust your settings in the app — including your participation mode, which devices are automated, and whether preheating is enabled. By default, all connected devices are included in automation, and preheating is enabled for all thermostats.
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Monitoring your consumption
With Rate Flex D, electricity prices increase during peak demand events. By automatically reducing your smart devices’ electricity consumption, Hilo helps you maximize your savings in winter. Most customers can view their consumption in real time* in the mobile app, while others can access their data the following day.
*This feature may not be available, depending on the meter type. Learn more.
Have questions about how Hilo works?
There’s no fixed temperature threshold, but temperature is an important factor.
Peak events are scheduled when Hydro-Québec anticipates high electricity demand across the province during the winter — that's the main consideration. On cold days, many people use more energy at the same time, which puts pressure on the grid. As a result, temperature plays a key role in forecasting demand.
However, demand doesn’t stay the same at a given temperature. For example, after several consecutive days at –10°C, electricity demand is typically higher on the last day than on the first.
Other factors that influence demand forecasts include operational constraints related to electricity supply, transmission, and distribution. To manage demand effectively, Hydro-Québec rigorously applies a range of tools, including dynamic pricing.
If, after your first winter with Hilo and Rate Flex D, your electricity bill ends up being higher than it would have been under the base rate (Rate D), we’ll refund you the difference.
This guarantee lets you try it risk-free and with peace of mind.
Rate Flex D can help you save significantly on your electricity bill.
In winter:
- Outside of peak demand events — that is, for more than 95% of the season — electricity is priced below the base rate (Rate D).
- During peak demand events — which account for no more than 5% of the season — electricity is priced higher than the base rate.
- For the rest of the year, standard Rate D (base rate) prices apply.
To learn more, visit the Rate Flex D page on Hydro-Québec's website.
