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Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Care

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What is the peaksaver program?
PDI with support from the Ontario Power Authority, is making it simple for Ontarians to do their part to conserve energy and ease the strain on the electricity system during summer peak demand times. 

PDI will help you arrange the installation of a device, (either a programmable thermostat or outdoor control unit), that allows us to briefly reduce the central air conditioning (CAC) electricity usage during ‘critical’ peak use times – typically weekday afternoons during the hottest days of the summer, but not on holidays or weekends. 

Why does PDI offer this program anyway?
We are always looking for ways to help our customers and our province conserve electricity to ensure a continual supply of electricity. Programs like peaksaver help everyone in the long run by reducing the need to import electricity and reducing the pressures on our distribution system. It's totally green - peaksaver will help to reduce the emissions caused by electricity generation help to reduce the number of smog days.

What will I save by participating in peaksaver?
You’ll be helping reduce smog and air pollution because coal-fired and gas-fired generating stations will be used less often. And you’ll help avoid the need for costly new generating stations.

By reducing the amount of electricity needed at peak times you’ll be reducing the chance of voltage reductions or other disruptions in the power system.
And you’ll help electricity prices lower. During peak times, Ontario has to buy power from other places and this is expensive, increasing the overall cost of electricity. By helping to reduce the demand for energy, you help to ensure less expensive electricity is purchased for the province’s needs. 

In the future, after Time of Use Rates are introduced, there has been discussion around Critical Peak Pricing or CPP.  With Smart Metering, we know what you have used in any particular hour and you may be charged whatever the hourly rate happens to be for the CPP event. The amount can be significantly higher than the “Off Peak” price. But, if you have a thermostat that controls your usage during these events, it would have the potential to save you money.

Can I really make a difference by participating?
Yes. By participating, you and thousands of others will allow us to reduce the strain on the electrical system during peak periods. By doing very little on your part, you are making a significant contribution to conserving electricity and helping to improve our environment. We expect that the peaksaver program will reduce the demand on the electrical system. This means we will need to import less electricity that saves everyone money by keeping electric prices low.

Who is eligible for the peaksaver program?
For residential customers: Any PDI customer who has central air conditioning is eligible for the peaksaver program. You must own the home or building. Residential customers can also volunteer electric water heaters for the program.

For business customers: PDI business customers are eligible if your air conditioners and water heater are approximately the same size as those used by residential customers. If you have your landlord or property manager's approval to participate, have them contact us to enroll in the program. 

For businesses that have a “Dual Zone” central air system, you can use a control switch to participate in the program. The control switch will be installed at the main disconnect for your central air unit and will not affect the use of your existing thermostats.

How do I sign up?
You can sign up online, or contact PDI's peaksaver call centre at (705) 748-6900 for details on enrollment and installation of your new device. 

Do I receive anything for participating?
Participants in the peaksaver program have the option of receiving a free programmable thermostat (valued at $250), or an outdoor control switch. Both will be installed by a certified technician at no charge, and you will receive $25 from the Ontario Power Authority.

Will it cost me anything to participate?
It will not cost you anything to participate and there is no maintenance cost. Just for signing up and having the device installed, you will receive $25. 

I already have a Programmable Thermostat or prefer not to change my thermostat, can I still participate?
Yes, if you already have a new programmable thermostat or wish to keep your existing thermostat and wish to participate in the program, we can install a control unit which will perform the same function as the peaksaver thermostat. The unit will cycle down the usage of your CAC by 50% during the duration of the even.

For example: If you’re CAC was running for 30 minutes in the previous hour, the control unit will know this and will run for 15 minutes in the hour. It may run for 7 minutes in the first half hour and run for another 7 minutes the next half hour.

The control unit is not just an On/Off switch, it has real intelligence and learns based on your usage patterns. It is quite a remarkable device.

Who do I call when I have questions or problems?
Any questions can be directed to us at (705) 748-6900 or info@peterboroughutilities.ca

What do I do if I don't own the house or business property?  Can I still enroll?
Yes, you can still enroll. Your landlord will need to provide a letter of permission to have the peaksaver programmable thermostat or outdoor control unit installed at your residence.  

Won't it be sweltering when I get home?
Residents who participated last summer said they hardly noticed when the cycle-down had taken place. The peaksaver event is typically transparent to the participant over the four-hour period there is only a very small rise in temperature. 

Won't there be a power surge when it comes back on?
No, the technology takes this into account. The remote-controlled devices only reduce the electricity usage but do not turn off the air conditioners. Also, the air conditioners participating in the program are managed randomly to avoid a power surge.

Will you have access to any other systems in my house? Will you be able to control my whole house?
No, we will not have access to any other system in your house. We will only have access to the central air conditioning or electric hot water heater if you opt to include this.

Do I have to be home when this is installed?
If you select the new programmable thermostat, yes, we will need you to be home so that our qualified, certified professionals will be able to install your thermostat. If you choose the outdoor control unit, no, you do not have to be home.

What happens if I'm using an appliance during the time it will be shut off?
You will not need to do anything. Your water heater will be cycled off for the whole peak period, but since it has a reserve of hot water you should have plenty of hot water during that brief time.

If I am unhappy with peaksaver, can I stop being part of the program?
Yes, if for whatever reason you are not happy, you have questions or problems with your peaksaver thermostat please call (705) 748-6900 to speak to a representative.  

I already have a high-efficiency AC system, should I bother participating in this program?
Although a high-efficiency system uses less electricity than an older or less-efficient system, any and all electricity savings are helpful during a peak-use period.  

What is the Ontario Power Authority?
It is an organization set up by the Ontario provincial government to Plan the Ontario Power System, Develop Generation, Develop the Electricity Sector and encourage electricity conservation.

Are there other programs to save electricity that are available to homeowners now?
Yes, there are currently 2 additional programs being offered by the Ontario Power Authority that you may be interested in: 

The Great Refrigerator Roundup – Ontarians are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to dispose of their energy-intensive, secondary refrigerators in an environmentally friendly way. Complete program details can be found at The Great Refrigerator Roundup.

Cool Savings Rebate - Rebates are offered to residents who replace old air conditioning systems with ENERGY STAR® – qualified models, on tune-ups for existing air conditioning systems and installations of programmable thermostats by program-registered technicians. Participating heating and cooling contractors as well as complete program details can be found on the Ontario Power Authority’s website: www.everykilowattcounts.com


Tips to becoming an even bigger power star...
Here are four more things you can do to reduce your demand for electricity during peak times:

  • Delay using major appliances like clothes dryers, washing machines and dishwashers until after 8 p.m.
  • Turn up your air conditioning thermostat higher than 24 degrees Celsius.
  • Use fans instead of air conditioners
  • Turn off all unnecessary lights (use compact fluorescent light bulbs if you can – they use 75 percent less electricity).

If you have an old secondary refrigerator that you are not using, arrange to have it picked up for free. Visit www.everykilowattcounts.com/roundup for more information