Rate DT – Dual Energy
for residential and agricultural customers

In the following situations, Rate DT is not right for you anymore:

• You’ve totally removed your dual‑energy system.
• You’ve made major changes to your dual‑energy system, so it no longer meets the conditions for Rate DT.

If either of those statements is true, please get in touch with our customer services department right away to change your rate.

If your setup has not changed, the following reasons may explain why you haven’t enjoyed any savings:

• The fuel part of your dual‑energy system broke down last winter and you didn’t have it repaired right away or you ran out of fuel over the course of the winter.

  Since you’re supposed to heat with fuel in cold weather, you should make sure that the fuel part of your dual‑energy system is working properly. If it burns oil or propane, keep the tank topped up. We therefore suggest having the fuel part of your dual‑energy system repaired immediately whenever it breaks down and having your tank filled before winter comes. That way you can heat with fuel during cold snaps and reduce your electricity use during the periods when it is billed at the higher price.

• The switch on your dual‑energy system was in electric or manual mode all winter.

  For the biggest savings, set the switch to dual‑energy or automatic mode. This will ensure the following:

  • Fuel is used for heating as soon as the outdoor temperature dips below –12°C or –15°C, depending on the region
  • Electricity is used as soon as the temperature is above or equal to –12°C or –15°C, depending on the region

  You should only use manual mode briefly while waiting for repairs to be done.

• You used an electric space heater when it was very cold out.

  For the biggest savings, use as little electricity as possible whenever the outdoor temperature is below –12°C or –15°C, depending on the region. You should avoid using an electric space heater. It’s also a good idea to use less hot water and limit your use of nonessential appliances and electronics. You’ll save more than 80% on electricity consumption that is put off until it isn’t as cold out.

• The winter was particularly harsh.

  Your savings at Rate DT depend on the weather. You save less during a very cold winter, because a lot of your electricity use is billed at the higher price. But you save more in a mild winter, because almost all your electricity use is billed at the lower price.

  So it’s important to look at your savings over several years to see whether Rate DT is still the best rate for you.

All dual‑energy systems eligible for Rate DT are equipped with an automatic switch permitting transfer from one source of energy to the other. However, some dual‑energy systems have a manual switch that can be used to manually select the energy source. This manual switch is completely optional. Many dual‑energy systems without a manual switch have a central heat pump as the electric component.

To maximize your savings under Rate DT, be sure the switch is set to dual‑energy mode so that your dual‑energy system switches between energy sources automatically.

Hydro‑Québec does not recommend manual switching. It should only be used if one of the components (electric or fuel) of the dual‑energy system stops working properly. If this happens, you can use manual mode to continue heating with the component that is still functioning.

If you decide to switch your heating system’s energy source manually, we advise you to switch to fuel mode as soon as the temperature goes below –12°C or –15°C (depending on the region). At those temperatures, heating with fuel is less expensive given that electricity is billed at the higher price.

To obtain a free indicator light, please call 1 800 363‑7443.

Note: It should be noted that dual‑energy heating systems work with or without an indicator light. Its only purpose is to indicate which energy source is being used for heating and therefore which electricity price applies.

Procedure

1. Replace the light at a time when the lower price under Rate DT applies. Make sure the red light to the left of the control on the meter box is OFF.
2. Lift off the cap above the indicator light and remove the screw it was hiding.
3. Disconnect the two wires behind the indicator light.
4. Remove the mounting plate of the old indicator light if it has one.

Important

The new light is built into the box. Do not try to remove it. Install the entire box.

5. Open the indicator light box by pressing on both sides.
6. Secure the box to the wall using the screws provided.
7. Connect the two wires to the terminal block (order of connection is insignificant).
8. Close the box.
9. Check that the new indicator is working properly once the higher Rate DT price applies (red light on the meter box is ON).

Are you wondering if the savings under Rate DT are enough to offset the price of replacing your dual‑energy system?

Yes, generally speaking, savings at Rate DT over a period of 20 years will cover all the extra costs of replacing your entire dual‑energy system, compared with buying an electric system. The extra costs can also be absorbed more quickly if you realize additional savings related to summer uses of electricity (air-conditioning, pool heater).

Furthermore, you are more likely to allocate the cost of replacing the main parts of your dual‑energy system over several years as part of regular maintenance, rather than replacing the entire system at once.

Have you decided to replace your dual‑energy system with another type of heating system?

If so, your contract is no longer eligible for Rate DT. It’s important that you contact us without delay so we can switch you to another rate.