Guide to saving during winter peaks
4 minutes reading
As thousands of customers signed up for Hilo
and Rate Flex D can attest, it’s easy to help reduce winter peaks. But which actions have the greatest impact? Read on to learn which habits can lead to real savings on your winter electricity bill.
1. Heat more wisely and maintain your comfort
When it’s -30°C, our first impulse is not to turn down the heat. Nevertheless, it’s the best way to reduce electricity demand and save money.
On very cold days, heating can account for up to 80% of the electricity use of an average Québec household.
Save up to 20% on your winter electricity bill
When you sign up for Hilo, you're automatically enrolled in the Flex D rate. Together, these two options help you reduce your electricity use during winter peaks–effortlessly. Hilo automates the management of your thermostats based on the participation mode you choose (moderate, bold, or extreme), lowering the temperature at the right time while keeping your home comfortable. If you prefer not to use Hilo, you can still benefit from the Flex D rate by adjusting your thermostats manually: lower the set temperature by at least 2°C at the start of the peak event and close the doors to unused rooms.
2. Use less hot water and put off using it until after the peak period
After heating, hot water is next in line when it comes to high electricity consumption. Hot water can account for up to 20% of your annual electricity use. To prevent your water heater from operating during the winter peak and undermining your efforts, delay using your dishwasher and washing machine until after the winter peaks—or program them to turn on once the peak period is over. If you absolutely have to do laundry, opt for handwashing or use cold water.
Between 80% and 90% of the electricity a washing machine consumes is used for heating water, and hot water cycles require up to 18 times more electricity than cold water cycles.
Obviously, the best habit to adopt is to also delay taking showers, but if that’s not possible, consider taking a short shower instead of a long, hot bath. Did you know? A half‑filled bathtub uses 33% more hot water than a 7 minute shower.
3. Give your range a break
Some appliances, such as the kitchen range, are particularly energy-intensive. To maximize your savings, avoid heating food in the oven: use small appliances during winter peaks. In comparison, a slow cooker uses up to 80% less electricity, and you can cook your meal before the winter peak begins! You can also opt to use your toaster oven, microwave or air fryer, as they consume significantly less electricity.
4. Charge your car at the right time
If you have an electric car, remember to program the charging time outside winter peaks. Certain EVduty charger models can even be connected to the Hilo application to maximize your savings during winter peak events.
Collective efforts that make a difference
During the 2024–2025 winter season, more than 400,000 customers took part in efforts to reduce electricity consumption during peak periods. Together, they helped achieve a demand reduction capacity of 530 megawatts per peak event, which is equivalent to the electricity consumption of about 70,000 homes. These impressive results show that when Quebecers come together, individual actions can add up to a major collective impact on the power grid.
