Peak Saver
Earn rewards for shifting or reducing your electricity use
The Peak Saver program allows you to earn money for reducing your electricity use during peak-demand periods.
The current program runs from November 15, 2022 to March 31, 2023. Registration is now closed.
About the program
When the temperature drops in the winter, the demand for electricity rises. During peak times of the day when everyone is home doing laundry, cooking and trying to stay warm, electricity usage is at its highest. This puts a greater strain on our electrical system.
The Peak Saver program provides customers with the opportunity to earn financial rewards for reducing their electricity use during specific days and times, known as Peak Saver events. This will not only help lower your energy bills, but also helps reduce demand on the electricity system in the community during peak times.
Plus, for each Peak Saver event where you reduce your electricity use by 20%, you’ll earn $3.
How Peak Saver events work
Peak Saver events are short periods (one to three hours) when electricity demand is at its highest. When one’s coming up, here’s what you can expect:
- Alert: You’ll receive an email with the date and time of the next Peak Saver event.
- Shift or reduce: Shift any high energy-consuming activities to before or after the event. Reduce your electricity use during the event where possible.
- Reward: Earn $3 per event if you reduce your electricity use by 20%.
You can participate in as many or as few Peak Saver events as you want.
Your total reward will be provided via a credit on your BC Hydro bill between April and June 2023, after the Peak Saver program ends.
Before each event we’ll estimate your typical use based on an average from your three days with the highest usage out of the previous five days (excluding weekends, holidays, and prior event days).
After the event, we compare your typical use to your actual use during the event. If you reduced your electricity use by 20% or more, you’ll earn a reward of $3 per event.
You can view this comparison for each event in your Peak Saver timeline.
During the Peak Saver event, your goal is to try to use less electricity. Here are some ways to save:
- Turn down thermostats on electric heating systems by one or two degrees if you can. Layer up with a sweater or blanket.
- Turn off unnecessary lights.
- Don’t run your dishwasher, clothes washer or dryer during the event.
- Instead of cooking with your oven or stove, try using small appliances like a toaster oven or slow cooker.