TAKE ENERGY SAVINGS INTO YOUR OWN HANDS

Shop happy

COUPONS

THAT SAVE

Old with a

new twist

MAKE YOUR OWN

MASON JAR LED LAMP

TAKE ENERGY

SAVINGS INTO

YOUR OWN HANDS

Budget-friendly

UPGRADES

for every home

WAYS TO

AUTOMATE

SAVINGS

With balmy summer nights behind us, it’s time to move those T-shirts to the back of the closet in favour of cozy sweaters. Crisp fall weather also means more time spent indoors and lights left on longer. In this DIY issue, we show you easy ways to take control of your energy costs and do more with less. From simple changes in habits to budget-friendly upgrades, we offer many low-cost/no-cost ways to get your home in shape – without breaking the bank. Start with our fall maintenance checklist to get your home ready for winter. Then, stock up on energy-saving products and use the coupons included to save in every room. We also share some easy DIY décor projects and recipes to get you in the mood for fall and still save electricity.

P.S

: Don’t forget to enter our social media photo challenge for a chance to win a Wink Smart Home Starter Kit (page 5).

Lauren Kirk Manager, Customer Care

MEET OUR SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM!

Behind the scenes, our team works 24/7 to deliver handy conservation tips, timely updates on outages and downed lines, and news to keep our customers in the know!

EDITOR’S NOTE

EVERYDAY

SAVINGS IN

YOUR HANDS

Maja

Hasdeep

2

CONTENTS

WHAT’S INSIDE

Make your own LED lamp 4

Your fall home energy checklist 6

Shop and save with coupons! 8

LEDs: Our expert enlightens 15

Tech talk:

How to automate your home 16

Tips: 5 ways to keep the heat in 18

Introducing the all-new outage map

19

Time for a new furnace? Get rebates

20

Holiday recipes that won’t gobble up electricity 22

SET THE MOOD

Guest expert Samantha Sannella on why it’s worth switching to LEDs.

8

15

COUPONS

5

22

WIN A WINK SMART

HOME STARTER KIT!

SNAP

& SHARE!

16

M

AKE

YOUR OWN

MASON JAR

LED LAMP

STEP

₁

Trace the diameter of the socket onto the lid. Use the hammer and nail to perforate the lid.

STEP

₂

Gently tap out the inner circle.

STEP

₃

Screw the socket

into the lid so that it sits neatly on the surface.

ON THE COVER

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Mason jar with screw-on lid • Cord set with socket • LED bulb • Hammer • Finishing nail • Marker • Rope or yarn

STEP

₅

Tighten the jar lid and hang.

Twist the LED into the socket and lower into the jar.

STEP

₄

Contest rules and conditions on back cover.

STYLE IT UP!

LEDs stay cool to the touch, making it easy to safely decorate your lamp with rope or yarn.

WIN A WINK SMART HOME

STARTER KIT ($219 VALUE)

Share a photo and tell us how you’re saving energy using the hashtag

#TOsaves. One winner every month until

March 2016!

Control lights and other devices from your smartphone, and enhance home security.

KIT INCLUDES:

Wink HUB Nest Protect Link Starter Kit

• • •

SNAP

& SHARE!

5

FALL

PRE

p

YOUR DIY FALL ENERGY CHECKLIST

SCHEDULE

A TUNE-UP

Clean or replace furnace filters once a month during heating season.

SET TO SAVE

Set your thermostat to 20°C during the day, 18°C overnight and 16°C when you’re away.

WRAP

YOUR PIPES

Insulate the first 2 metres of hot water pipes extending from your tank to prevent heat loss.

INSPECT YOUR

DETECTORS

Test and replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working.

DEGREES MAKE

A DIFFERENCE

Set your electric water heater temperature to 48°C to save energy and avoid scalding.

SEAL THE DEAL

Caulk or seal drafts around windows, doors and electrical outlets to save up to $350 a year.

With nights getting cooler, chilly days won’t be far behind. This is the perfect time of year to get your home ready for winter. Here are 10 easy steps to keep your home cozy and your energy costs in check.

4

5

2

1

3

6

6

PUT LIGHTS

ON TIMERS

Install timers on indoor and outdoor lights to save energy and keep your home secure.

SHRINK

HEAT LOSS

Use heat-shrink plastic to reduce heat loss from windows you aren’t going to open over the winter.

CLEAR THE

AIRWAYS

Clean dryer lint traps, stove vents and bathroom vents to prevent fires and save energy.

DON’T LET

DUST SETTLE

Vacuum your refrigerator’s coils and intake grille every 3 months to maximize efficiency.

3 EFFORTLESS WAYS

TO GET ORGANIZED

TAKE IT ONLINE

Manage your account the easy way with tools and services in one convenient place – My TorontoHydro®_.

SET UP AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS

With a pre-authorized payment plan, your bills will always be paid securely and on time.

CUT DOWN ON CLUTTER

Switch to eBills to access your current and past bills online – anytime, anywhere. Go paperless at

mytorontohydro.com

10

8

7

9

7

FAST FIXES

FOR FALL

For one month only, pick up

in-store coupons

for these must-have energy-saving products.

Save energy, stay comfortable and keep your

home looking better for less.

We’ve included

4 coupons

to get you started.

THE IN-STORE COUPON EVENT IS BACK!

$

₄

_OFF

$

1

_O

_-

_3O

_OFF

$

3

_OFF

HEAVY-DUTY

OUTDOOR TIMERS

Beef up your home security with outdoor lights set automatically.

INDOOR DIMMER SWITCH

Dim the lights for electricity savings.

BASEBOARD

PROGRAMMABLE

THERMOSTATS

Set to save up to 10% on heating costs.

WEATHERSTRIPPING

Keep the heat in by sealing drafts around doors and windows.

$

2

_-

₃

_OFF

POWER BARS

WITH TIMERS OR

AUTO-SHUTOFF

Fight phantom power to save up to 10% on electricity costs!

$

₄

_OFF

$

5

_OFF

ENERGY STAR

®

CERTIFIED SPECIALTY

CFLS (MULTIPACKS)

Switch 5 incandescent bulbs to CFLs and save up to $30 a year!

Please note: Retailers are subject to change. Product selection may vary by location.

The Home Depot Union Lighting Walmart Giant Tiger

MEET THE

ENERGY EXPERTS

SEPT. 26 & 27, OCT. 10

Visit any Toronto location of Lowe’s or The Home Depot. We’ll be on-site from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with tips, prizes and answers to your questions about energy efficiency. Can’t make it? Download more coupons online

torontohydro.com/coupons

SHOP AND SAVE!

PICK UP MORE COUPONS AT THESE PARTICIPATING STORES

Canadian Tire Canada Computers Costco

Dollarama

eLightful Products & Services Inc. FactoryDirect.ca Lowe’s Home Hardware Living Lighting RONA Royal Lighting Sescolite 10

$

₅

_OFF

$

₆

_OFF

GENERAL LEDS

INDOOR

MOTION

SENSORS

SENSE APPEAL

Why waste energy? Set sensors to save.

SWITCH IT UP

Turn old into new to save up to 75%.

STAR SPOTTING

With hundreds of styles available, you won’t be able to take your eyes off them.

FOLLOW THE LIGHT

LEDs lead the way, with longer life and savings up to 75%.

LIGHTING FIXTURES

SPECIALTY LEDS

$

₁₅

_OFF

LIGHTING EXPERT

SAMANTHA SANNELLA

ON THE ADVANTAGES

OF LED LIGHTING

Samantha Sannella is a design consultant, owner of Urban Retreat Homes and is the former president and CEO of the Design Exchange. She also teaches part-time at Ryerson University.

Anything that uses a regular bulb can be changed to an LED

WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS

TO USE LEDS IN YOUR HOME?

Start with ceiling fixtures and pendants – anything that uses a regular bulb can be changed to an LED. In Toronto, many homes have halogen pot lights that give off a lot of heat and burn out often. These are also replaceable with slimline LED retrofit fixtures.

DON’T LEDS PRODUCE “COLD” LIGHT?

Not at all! Colour temperature for LEDs has greatly improved. For residential lights, choose an LED with a temperature of between 2,500 K and 3,500 K. This will give the home a lovely warm glow.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE

HESITANT ABOUT THE COST OF LEDS?

I say, invest, invest, invest! The cost of LEDs has decreased and Toronto Hydro offers coupons to save even more. Your utility bills will be lower and you won’t have to climb a ladder to replace a light which is a great benefit.

WHERE ARE SOME UNEXPECTED

AREAS TO USE LEDS?

My favourite place is in a kitchen cabinet drawer, so that when you open it, the light automatically switches on. LEDs can also be installed for dramatic effect with crown moulding and baseboards, as well as in the shower.

CAN LEDS ENHANCE OUTDOOR SPACES?

LEDs make great additions to the garden for the ‘twinkle’ effect and for security lighting. Because they rarely burn out, they are a good maintenance-free option.

LEDs last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs

THE

SMART

_ER

HOME

THE FUTURE IS HERE — AND

IT’S HELPING YOU SAVE ENERGY

WIN A WINK SMART HOME STARTER KIT!

Snap a photo of how you’re saving energy using the hashtag #TOsaves for your chance to win a home automation package valued at $219!

LIGHT CONTROL

Install sensors and timers to shut off lights in rooms when no one’s there. Download coupons at

torontohydro.com/coupons

SMART THERMOSTATS

Control your home’s temperature remotely – some systems are even zone-based to keep rooms at different temperatures.

LOADS OF SAVINGS

The latest washers and dryers can be set to run only during off-peak hours – and can even be controlled remotely.

TRACK, MEASURE, MANAGE

Track your home’s electricity use right from your smart-phone or computer. Get a free home electricity report with the PowerLens® _{Energy Calculator. Find this and} other helpful tools at mytorontohydro.com

From home security monitoring to voice-activated lights, smart technology is connecting every aspect of our lives. Now, energy management technology is leading the charge, with 61%* of online households planning to buy some form of home automation to save energy. It’s an effortless way to manage your home’s energy use – even while you’re away.

STILL PLUGGED IN? STILL PAYING!

Electronics and appliances still draw power even if they’re turned off. This phantom power can account for up to 10% of your electricity bill!

WHERE TO PUT

SAVINGS ON

AUTO-PILOT

RAISE THE POWER BAR

Fight phantom power by cutting power to electronics and devices automatically. Download coupons for power bars at

torontohydro.com/coupons

HOME SECURITY

Sensors on outdoor lights can enhance safety and even alert you by phone or text if there is unusual activity.

A COOLER FRIDGE

Some fridges will alert your phone if the door is left open or the temperature goes up.

*Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®_{) Adoption and Usage of}

Home Automation Technologies, 2013

ARE YOU READY

FOR WINTER?

HOW TO TAKE THE BITE OUT OF HIGHER HEATING COSTS

Last February set a record as Toronto’s coldest month ever, with wind chills hitting the -40°C mark and a whopping 23 extreme cold alerts issued by Toronto Public Health.

With another potentially long winter ahead, Torontonians – especially

those living on fixed or modest incomes – may feel the sting of higher-than-usual heating bills. With as much as 50% of energy costs spent on

heating, even small, inexpensive ways to save energy can make a big

difference in staying comfortable while keeping costs down.

5 BUDGET-FRIENDLY WAYS

TO KEEP THE HEAT IN

Use weatherstripping around doors and windows to reduce heating costs by up to 30% Open blinds during the day and close them at night Keep humidity levels at no higher than 30% to make

your home feel warmer

Turn down the heat by just 2 degrees to reduce heating costs by up to 5%

Close heat registers in rooms you’re not using

IS MONEY TIGHT?

SUPPORT TO HELP YOU SAVE

Find out if you qualify for FREE home energy upgrades:

ENERGY STAR® certified appliances ENERGY STAR® _{certified light bulbs} Low-flow showerheads, power bars, insulation and more

torontohydro.com/help

1-855-234-9376

• • • • •

Energy Conservation In Action

Toronto Hydro has hired GreenSaver to deliver this program.

• • •

POWER

OUTAGES

THERE’S A MAP FOR THAT

OUR OUTAGE MAP IS NEW,

IMPROVED AND MORE HELPFUL THAN EVER

REGISTER FOR OUTAGE ALERTS

We’re currently developing a notification program to provide you with timely updates during major outages. Sign up atoutageTO.com

INVESTING IN

TORONTO’S FUTURE

Toronto’s building boom is putting a strain on our electricity system. That’s why we’re investing approximately $195 million in the Clare R. Copeland Transformer Station. This new underground station will help increase reliability and avoid widespread outages. Watch the video at

torontohydro.com/ copelandstation

Toronto Hydro has hired GreenSaver to deliver this program.

• See estimated times for restoration (ETR)

• Get timely status updates

• Search by address

• More detailed, accurate boundaries

During a cold spell, there’s nothing worse than a furnace on the fritz. Don’t wait for an emergency – if your furnace is more than 10 years old, replace it with incentives for going high efficiency. By acting now, you’ll leave yourself plenty of time to shop around, compare costs and take advantage of rebates.

DITCH

THE

DUCT

TAPE

*Incentives are available for installation of eligible equipment completed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2015 and submitted no later than Feb. 1, 2016. Equipment must be purchased from and installed by a participating contractor. $250 incentive with purchase and installation of an eligible furnace. $250 OR $400 incentive with purchase and installation of an eligible central air conditioner system. †_{Energy Display image is for illustration only,}

may not be exactly as shown. You must have a central air conditioner, electric water heater and/or pool pump in good working order to participate. Limited time offer.

To qualify, your new system must be purchased from and installed by a participating contractor. For details, visit torontohydro.com/heatingandcooling

THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN’T FIX YOURSELF

Get $250* when you install a new high-efficiency furnace Get up to $400 when you install a new high-efficiency central air conditioner 20

HOW TO SHOP LIKE A PRO

YOUR GUIDE TO CHOOSING A CONTRACTOR

Read online reviews or talk to friends and neighbours

Look for a company that offers licenced air conditioning or refrigeration technicians Ensure the contractor has general liability insurance, so you’re not on the hook for any damage to your home or personal injury Check that they take part in industry

associations, such as the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada Ask about bundling incentives and rebates

Get everything in writing

Y

E

A

R

S

A

V

E

12 5

/

$

CENTRAL AIR?

BIG REWARDS!

Sign up for peaksaver

PLUS®_{and get a free}

energy display† _($100

value) to help you manage your electricity use. Sign up at

torontohydro.com/ peaksaver

HAS YOUR FRIDGE

REACHED ITS

SHELF LIFE?

That old fridge or freezer

could be costing you up to $125 a year in electricity! We’ll take it away and recycle it,

free of charge. Book a pickup at torontohydro.com/ pickup

Get a

FREE

Energy

Display

NO-BAKE PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

1 pkg. (250 g) cream cheese, softened 1 cup (250 ml) canned pumpkin 3/8 cup (90 ml) maple syrup 1/4 tsp. (1.5 ml) ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. (1.5 ml) ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp. (1.5 ml) ground allspice 1/4 tsp. (1.5 ml) ground ginger

2 cups (500 ml) whipped topping or whipped whipping cream plus extra for garnish 1 prepared graham cracker crumb crust (9-inch)

IMPRESS WITH LESS — THESE

HOLIDAY TREATS REQUIRE

JUST A PINCH OF ELECTRICITY

.

FAMILY

FRIENDLY

FAMILY

FRIENDLY

Mix first 7 ingredients in an electric mixer until smooth. Stir in 2 cups of whipped topping. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate 3 hours. Serve with remaining whipped topping.

SLOW-COOKED SPICED NUTS

1/4 cup (60 ml) pure maple syrup 3 tbsp. (45 ml) unsalted butter 2 tsp. (10 ml) ground cinnamon 1 tsp. (5 ml) kosher salt 1/8 tsp. (1 ml) cayenne pepper 2 cups (500 ml) pecan halves 2 cups (500 ml) roasted cashews 2 cups (500 ml) raw whole almonds

Coat a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Mix first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Add nuts and toss to coat. Transfer to slow cooker and cook on high for one hour. Reduce heat to low and stir periodically for one hour until dry.

SLOW COOKERS

use 65% less energy in 7 hours than an electric oven uses in 1 hour.

DIY PLACE CARD SETTINGS

Seat your guests in style with place cards made from mini-pumpkins, gold spray paint and a paper cut-out of a leaf!

Subject to additional terms and conditions found at torontohydro.com/conservation. Funded by the Independent Electricity System Operator and offered by Toronto Hydro. OM_{Official Mark adopted and used}

by the Independent Electricity System Operator. Used under licence. ®_{A registered trademark of}

Toronto Hydro Corporation used under licence. “Toronto Hydro” means Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited. All trademarks and copyrights are owned by their respective owners.

Find additional tips and tools online to help you save electricity at:

torontohydro.com/conservation

ARE YOU

MOVING?

IT’S EASIER ONLINE

Our online moving assistant will help you process your move quickly and easily – no forms, no phone calls. Available 24/7 at

torontohydro.com/moving

KEEP OUR NEW

OUTAGE CENTRE HANDY

During a major outage, find the latest updates, our Twitter feed, a link to our emergency guide and other resources at

outageTO.com

GENERAL CUSTOMER CARE INQUIRIES

416-542-8000

(Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

REPORT AN OUTAGE

416-542-8000, press 1

(24 hours, 7 days a week)

REPORT A STREETLIGHT OUT

416-542-3195, press 1, then press 4

(24 hours, 7 days a week)

REPORT AN EMERGENCY

416-542-8000, press 1 (24 hours, 7 days a week)

CONSTRUCTION AND

LINE COVER REQUEST

416-542-2618 (24 hours, 7 days a week)

FOLLOW US FOR

UP-TO-THE-MINUTE NEWS AND UPDATES

HOW TO

REACH US

WIN A WINK SMART HOME STARTER KIT CONTEST RULES:

All three of the following prizes will be awarded to each of the winners in this Contest: six (6) Wink Hub Gateways (one (1) per Month during the Contest Period) each with an approximate retail value of $55.00 (CAD) before any applicable taxes; six (6) Nest Protect 2nd Gen Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm (one (1) per Month during the Contest Period) each with an approximate retail value $109.00 (CAD) before any applicable taxes; and six (6) GE Link Starter Kits (one (1) per Month during the Contest Period) each with an approximate retail value of $55.00 (CAD) before any applicable taxes. Limit of one entry per Account per Month. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received each applicable Month during the Contest Period. Entries received during a given Month will not be carried forward for entry into future Months. No purchase necessary. Contest winner will be required to answer a skill testing question. See Contest Rules for full prize details: torontohydro.com/TOsaves. Contest closes March 15, 2016. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY. NO SUBSTITUTIONS.