Our customers are finding that enrolling in Peak Saver rewards brings unexpected perks, including board games and other family fun while reducing energy use during peak times of energy use in B.C.
Pluses around reducing energy use in peak periods go beyond financial rewards
Saving money, supporting the electricity grid and spending an evening playing games are among the reasons our Peak Saver participants enjoy the challenges.
When Peak Savers were invited to share the best part of participating, their testimonials revealed that the program's appeal goes well beyond earning rewards. Customers described becoming more aware of their electricity use, teaching their children about conservation and turning Peak Saver events into family traditions.
Here's how Peak Savers describe the experience in their own words.
Save energy and earn rewards
Peak Saver challenges reward customers for reducing their electricity use during peak events — brief periods when demand on the system is especially high. Peak events most commonly occur during very cold weather, and usually in the evening.
Events are brief periods of peak energy use, typically during cold weather, when demand is expected to be highest. We usually hold around 15 events every Peak Saver season, depending on the grid need. Before an event, you receive an email or text explaining the timing, electricity-reduction target and potential reward. A challenge might, for example, offer a $3 reward for reducing consumption by 20%.
You can participate in as many or as few events as you choose, with no penalty for missing an event or failing to reach the target. Successful rewards are added together and applied as a credit to your electricity bill after the season.
For families watching their household expenses, those rewards matter.
"As a Peak Saver participant and a single parent, every penny truly matters in my home," wrote Amanda R. Participating gave her an opportunity to save while challenging herself and her children to be more mindful about electricity use.
Michael P. agreed: "The Peak Saver events have been a fun challenge for our family, and saves us money! Every few dollars adds up."
Get details on how Peak Saver Challenges work, and how to register.
Help manage demand on B.C.'s electricity system
Peak events occur when electricity use is expected to be particularly high. By shifting activities such as laundry, dishwashing, cooking and electric-vehicle charging to another time, participating households collectively help reduce strain on their community's electrical system.
Customers use a variety of strategies during challenges. Some lower electric heating by a degree or two, turn down the heat in unused rooms or postpone showers. Others avoid using ovens, clothes dryers and dishwashers or delay charging an electric vehicle until the event ends.
Even households with advanced technology can participate. Duane L. combines rooftop solar panels with battery storage, allowing his home to draw less electricity from the grid during high-demand periods. We also have optional time of day pricing that works particularly well for EV owners who want to charge their vehicles at a lower rate overnight.
Did you know? In addition to Peak Saver event rewards, you can enroll your smart home devices in Peak Saver to allow us to adjust them remotely during times of high electricity demand. Seasonal rewards are $50 per device type for most devices, $250 for batteries.
The shared purpose behind Peak Saver is a major motivation for many participants.
Lu S. joined after reading that the program helps reduce demand and keep B.C.'s electricity grid reliable during peak periods.
"It made me think about the bigger picture, about being part of something that benefits our whole community," she wrote.
Retiree Karen L. sees Peak Saver as a way to make room on the system for people whose work and family schedules give them less flexibility.
"In using less power, I feel I leave power for those who work, making it necessary for them to do laundry and dishes after supper," she explained. "Being retired, I can consider the working population."
Discover where your electricity goes
Peak Saver events can also reveal which household activities use the most electricity.
Participants commonly postpone running the clothes washer, dryer and dishwasher. They might prepare dinner before an event, turn off unnecessary lights, and reduce electric heating where possible.
"The Peak Saver events have made our family more aware of what really sucks the hydro," wrote Michael P.
For Maria P., that awareness changed her household routine. After joining, she began scheduling high-energy tasks for early morning or later in the evening instead of automatically running appliances during busy periods.
Amanda R. discovered the timers on her dishwasher, washing machine and dryer and began using them to shift electricity use. She and her children also found alternatives to the dryer, including hanging blankets over chairs and placing towels and clothing on hangers.
"It wasn't always the easiest, but it worked — and it brought a sense of pride," she wrote.
These habits don't necessarily end when an event does. Customers say participating has made them more attentive to lights, heating, electronics and appliances throughout the year.
Did you know? Starting soon, eligible residential customers with electric baseboard heating can receive up to five free smart baseboard thermostats.
Turn savings into a family challenge
Many of the testimonials shared a more unexpected benefit: Peak Saver events have given families an excuse to put down their screens, slow the pace and spend time together.
Jacqueline M.'s family imagines what it would do if the power went out. They switch things off, light candles and bring out games such as Scrabble and cribbage. Sometimes they head outside for a walk, rain or shine.
"It's a great way to have a family fun night," she wrote. "The time always passes faster than expected."
Ann R. puts each event on the family calendar. Her children treat it as an adventure, reminding one another to turn off lights before settling in to read by candlelight.
Lee B.'s 6-year-old son thinks Peak Saver feels like camping. The family prepares dinner ahead of time, eats picnic-style by the fireplace and, when an event extends to bedtime, reads by the glow of a camping lantern.
"What started as a small way to help out and save $3 has become a magical little tradition in our home," Lee B. wrote.
Eric L. and his partner used the challenges to rediscover board games that had been gathering dust in their basement for decades.
"What was truly amazing and far more important is spending the time together at the kitchen table and just enjoying each other's company," he wrote.
Show children that small actions matter
Many parents also praised Peak Saver for making energy conservation tangible for children.
William B. said the program sparked conversations in his household and helped his children understand how everyday habits affect electricity consumption. Emily K.'s family calls an event "power saving mode," with the children racing around to unplug devices and switch off lights before trying to beat the family's previous reduction record.
Amanda R. found that using less electricity also encouraged more creativity, conversation and outdoor time with her children.
"It became more than just saving electricity — it turned into a valuable life lesson," she wrote. "I was able to teach my children why cutting back matters, not only for our household finances but also for the environment."
The testimonials show there is no single best part of Peak Saver. For some customers, it's the money. For others, it's supporting a reliable grid, adopting smarter habits or helping children understand conservation.
And for many, the unexpected reward is a few quieter hours with the people who matter most.