PUT WHAT ON THE GRILL? SMART SHADE EVERYDAY SAVINGS SPRING S BEST SHORTCUTS. 2 surprising recipes that save. Plant now, save forever

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1 PUT WHAT ON THE GRILL? 2 surprising recipes that save SPRING S BEST SHORTCUTS No-stress billing Natural cooling Quick home updates SMART SHADE Plant now, save forever EVERYDAY SAVINGS 6 coupons for LEDs + more!

2 EDITOR S NOTE DIY: NIGHT LIGHTS Why LED holiday lights work year-round p. 6 FAST FIVE Upgrades to make your home comfortable p. 22 THE FIRST SIGNS OF SPRING! It s time for fresh starts spring cleaning, home improvements and getting out into the garden. This issue is all about preparing for the outdoor season. We bring you new, natural ways to save electricity while enjoying more time at home. Don t miss our BBQ feature with delicious recipes that use no electricity. We ve also included energy-saving landscaping tips and a simple DIY project to help you savour the season in your yard. The next time you re out picking up supplies, save with coupons for quick home fixes like LED bulbs, outdoor timers and more! Look for six coupons in this booklet to get you started. We also hope this issue inspires you to think about why living green matters and how small steps can add up to make a big difference at home, for our city and for our planet. GREEN GOES MAINSTREAM Why it s not just about saving p. 4 BRING HOME MORE GREEN Coupons for LEDs, power bars and more p. 8 DIGITAL DREAMS The path to paperless p. 15 Lauren Kirk Manager, Customer Care THE CASE FOR CLOTHESLINES GRILL LIKE A PRO! NATURAL COOLING TIPS Go ahead air your laundry! p. 10 Fire up the Q and save p. 16 Money does grow on trees! p

3 LIVE GREEN TRY MEATLESS MONDAY READ LABELS Raising livestock is energyintensive it s responsible for 18% of global greenhouse gases! Going meat-free, even once a week, can help reduce climate impact. Some packaging boasts natural or organic but it may not be as green as you think. Look for plantbased ingredients or certified ecolabels to back up claims. GREEN YOUR COMMUTE GARDEN GREENER Whenever possible, walk, bike or take transit instead of driving. Walking 30 minutes a day can reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 50% and you ll save on fuel costs too. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to control weeds and fertilize the soil. To create a natural pesticide, spray weeds with a mixture of undiluted vinegar and a bit of dish soap. These days eco-friendly is everywhere. But it s not just about conservation it s about making choices that are good for you, your city and the environment. Here are a few simple tips. THINK LOCAL Whenever possible, eat and buy locally-sourced items. You ll support the local economy and help reduce the pollution and energy use from transportation. BUY WISE When shopping for electronics or appliances, look for ENERGY STAR certified models that have been tested and meet energyefficiency standards. SHIFT AND SAVE Shift laundry, dishwashing and even charging your electronic devices to off-peak hours (after 7 p.m. and on weekends) to save. Source: davidsuzuki.org TURN OVER A NEW LEAF TELL US HOW YOU RE SAVING ENERGY AT HOME. Tweet us using the hashtag #TOSaves for a chance to win a 250 gift certificate towards LEAF s fullservice backyard tree planting program. (Read more about LEAF on page 20.) WIN 250 towards a new tree! WHAT S INCLUDED? Consultation with a certified arborist Tips to care for your tree One winner every month until September 2016! Tree delivery and planting Prizes include: six (6) LEAF Gift Certificates (one (1) per Month during the Contest Period) with a value of (CAD) each. Limit of one entry per person 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: Contest closes September 30, ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY. NO SUBSTITUTIONS. 4 5

4 DIY LIGHTS 3 WAYS to use LED string lights year-round Who says string lights should be limited to the holidays? Add ambience with LED outdoor string lighting. LEDs stay cool to the touch and are designed for outdoors, making them a safe, energy-efficient option. 1 STRING TO LIFE 2 BOTTLE IT UP 3 HAVE A BALL TYPES OF LED STRING LIGHTING Personalize string lighting with ping pong balls or other waterproof wraps. Fill bottles or jars with batteryoperated LED string lights to create a luminous centrepiece. Wrap a grapevine sphere with solar string lighting. Leave any excess inside so it glows from within. GOOD: Plug-in strings BETTER: Battery-operated strings BEST: Solar-powered strings Make sure your bulbs are LEDs, because they don t heat up. 6 7

5 COUPON EVENT IN-STORE COUPONS ARE BACK! APRIL 1 MAY OFF Indoor motion sensors Sensors make sure you re not lighting an empty room. Pick up coupons for these home essentials for effortless savings that really add up. 3-8 OFF ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs LEDs are durable, versatile and stay cool to the touch OFF ENERGY STAR certified Light fixtures Set the mood, sit back and enjoy energy savings of up to 75%. 4 OFF Power bars Plug in electronics to save up to 10% on your monthly bill. 8 9

6 MEET THE ENERGY EXPERTS APRIL 9 & 10 AND APRIL 16 & 17 Visit any Toronto location of Lowe s or the Home Depot from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 3 OFF General LEDs Stock up! LEDs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Line-drying laundry comes with added benefits. Save electricity dryers use more than any other appliance Keep fabrics lasting longer Sunlight is a natural disinfectant Air-drying even prevents static cling! Get advice on how to choose energy-saving products Get tips for even more ways to save at home Play games and win prizes 8 OFF General or specialty LEDs (multipacks) Chandelier, spotlight, tri-light you name it, there s an LED for it. CRUNCHY TOWELS? HERE S A TIP Vinegar is a natural fabric softener. Add 3/4 1 cup ( ml) to your rinse cycle to keep your fabrics soft! DON T SHOP WITHOUT A COUPON Pick them up at participating stores visit our website for a full list. torontohydro.com/coupons 15 OFF Light fixtures Add oomph to any room with hundreds of styles available! 10 11

7 SAVE 3 on ENERGY STAR certified general LED bulbs, single or double packs (A-lamp bulbs) This coupon has no cash value and cannot be combined with other discounts, rebates or offers. Offer applicable at time of purchase by Ontario residents for personal use only at participating Ontario retailers. Only one coupon can be used per item, with a limit of five coupons per product type (SKU) for each customer. This coupon only applies on products with a pre-tax price greater than the face value of the coupon. All taxes are based on the original purchase price, prior to the coupon discount and payable by the customer. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) does not provide any warranties, guarantees or endorsements, for any product and assumes no liability for their use. For participating retailers and more information, visit saveonenergy.ca Coupon valid through December 31, This coupon is subject to terms and conditions set out on this coupon. OM Official Mark of the Independent Electricity System Operator. 10 OFF Ceiling fans Rotate this a ceiling fan uses only 10% of the electricity of a window air conditioner. SAVE 8 on ENERGY STAR certified general or specialty LED bulbs, multipacks of 3 or more This coupon has no cash value and cannot be combined with other discounts, rebates or offers. Offer applicable at time of purchase by Ontario residents for personal use only at participating Ontario retailers. Only one coupon can be used per item, with a limit of five coupons per product type (SKU) for each customer. This coupon only applies on products with a pre-tax price greater than the face value of the coupon. All taxes are based on the original purchase price, prior to the coupon discount and payable by the customer. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) does not provide any warranties, guarantees or endorsements, for any product and assumes no liability for their use. For participating retailers and more information, visit saveonenergy.ca Coupon valid through December 31, This coupon is subject to terms and conditions set out on this coupon. OM Official Mark of the Independent Electricity System Operator. 4 OFF Heavy-duty Outdoor timers Set pool pumps on timers to run only during off-peak hours. SAVE 15 on ENERGY STAR certified light fixtures (indoor hard wired) with 3 or more sockets This coupon has no cash value and cannot be combined with other discounts, rebates or offers. Offer applicable at time of purchase by Ontario residents for personal use only at participating Ontario retailers. Only one coupon can be used per item, with a limit of five coupons per product type (SKU) for each customer. This coupon only applies on products with a pre-tax price greater than the face value of the coupon. All taxes are based on the original purchase price, prior to the coupon discount and payable by the customer. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) does not provide any warranties, guarantees or endorsements, for any product and assumes no liability for their use. For participating retailers and more information, visit saveonenergy.ca Coupon valid through December 31, This coupon is subject to terms and conditions set out on this coupon. OM Official Mark of the Independent Electricity System Operator. 10 OFF Clotheslines Air-drying keeps fabrics fresh, helps them last longer and even prevents static cling! 13

8 SAVE 10 on ENERGY STAR certified ceiling fans This coupon has no cash value and cannot be combined with other discounts, rebates or offers. Offer applicable at time of purchase by Ontario residents for personal use only at participating Ontario retailers. Only one coupon can be used per item, with a limit of five coupons per product type (SKU) for each customer. This coupon only applies on products with a pre-tax price greater than the face value of the coupon. All taxes are based on the original purchase price, prior to the coupon discount and payable by the customer. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) does not provide any warranties, guarantees or endorsements, for any product and assumes no liability for their use. For participating retailers and more information, visit saveonenergy.ca SAVE 4 on heavy-duty outdoor timers This coupon has no cash value and cannot be combined with other discounts, rebates or offers. Offer applicable at time of purchase by Ontario residents for personal use only at participating Ontario retailers. Only one coupon can be used per item, with a limit of five coupons per product type (SKU) for each customer. This coupon only applies on products with a pre-tax price greater than the face value of the coupon. All taxes are based on the original purchase price, prior to the coupon discount and payable by the customer. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) does not provide any warranties, guarantees or endorsements, for any product and assumes no liability for their use. For participating retailers and more information, visit saveonenergy.ca SAVE 10 on outdoor clothesline umbrella stands or clothesline kits This coupon has no cash value and cannot be combined with other discounts, rebates or offers. Offer applicable at time of purchase by Ontario residents for personal use only at participating Ontario retailers. Only one coupon can be used per item, with a limit of five coupons per product type (SKU) for each customer. This coupon only applies on products with a pre-tax price greater than the face value of the coupon. All taxes are based on the original purchase price, prior to the coupon discount and payable by the customer. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) does not provide any warranties, guarantees or endorsements, for any product and assumes no liability for their use. For participating retailers and more information, visit saveonenergy.ca Coupon valid through December 31, This coupon is subject to terms and conditions set out on this coupon. OM Official Mark of the Independent Electricity System Operator. Coupon valid through December 31, This coupon is subject to terms and conditions set out on this coupon. OM Official Mark of the Independent Electricity System Operator. Coupon valid through December 31, This coupon is subject to terms and conditions set out on this coupon. OM Official Mark of the Independent Electricity System Operator. How to get off the paper trail 1 SIGN UP FOR EBILLS Manage and store bills online, 24/7. 2 PAY BILLS ONLINE Online payments are quick, save postage and can even be automated. 3 RETHINK YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS Switch to digital versions of magazines, newspapers or catalogues. 4 CLEAR THE CLUTTER Shred or file? Set aside time to pare back your documents. 5 TAKE NOTES DIGITALLY Get into the habit of keeping grocery lists or appointments on tablets or smartphones. Charge devices during off-peak hours to save. ASK ANNIE E-correspondence expert Annie Hum debunks ebilling myths Q: Isn t it safer to keep paper records? A: With ebills, your bills are securely stored online in one place, so there s no risk of losing them. Q: What if I miss a new bill? A: Just look for the notification we send one every time your new bill is ready online. Q: Won t I miss important information? A: ebills are accessed through your My TorontoHydro account, so you ll have access to even more information and services, such as pre-authorized payment, online inserts, your electricity dashboard and more. Q: How do I pay without a paper bill? A: It s quick and easy to pay your bill online through your bank. You can also set up automatic payments. Set up your account at mytorontohydro.com 15

9 TASTY RECIPES THAT SAVE GRILLED PEACHES & CREAM Fire up the BBQ for quick, easy meals that are big on flavour but low on electricity. When you avoid cooking with your oven and stovetop, you also keep your air conditioner from working overtime. WHAT YOU LL NEED 3 ripe peaches, halved and pitted ZA ON THE Q WHAT YOU LL NEED Pizza dough or readymade cooked crust Olive oil 1 cup (250 ml) tomato sauce Cheese, such as sliced or grated mozzarella, fontina, Parmesan or other combination Toppings such as sliced mushrooms and tomatoes, olives, peppers, salami or pepperoni (toppings must be precooked or edible raw) 16 2 tbsp (30 ml) melted butter 6 squares of dark chocolate DIRECTIONS Vanilla ice cream DIRECTIONS Preheat gas BBQ to medium heat. Roll out the dough to 1/8 to 1/4" thickness. Brush both sides generously with olive oil. Cook peaches cut-side down on grill, 3 5 minutes Place the dough directly on the grill. Close the lid and cook until the bottom is golden brown (about 3 minutes). Remove and place large piece of aluminum foil on grill Using tongs and a pizza peel or cookie sheet, lift the crust and flip it over, so that the browned side is facing up. Cover the grilled side with sauce and toppings, then sprinkle with cheese. Turn one burner on your BBQ down or off and set the pizza on the grill over this section. Close the lid and grill 7 10 minutes. Remove from the grill, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired. Slice and serve. SAVE 30% SAVINGS TIP! Cooking on a natural gas-powered BBQ is up to 30% cheaper than on an electric stove. Place peaches on foil, cut-side up Place square of chocolate in each peach half Brush melted butter onto peaches Cover grill and cook minutes or until peaches are soft Serve with scoop of ice cream Source: thestar.com 17

10 NATURAL COOLING TIPS PRUNING, PLANTING AND POWERLINES When it comes to electrical safety, it helps to stay informed. Jim Sopik, Construction Maintenance Supervisor at Toronto Hydro, offers his advice. Creating the perfect backyard retreat can also help you save energy. Don t underestimate the power of trees, plants and foliage if properly thought out, a well-landscaped yard can reduce cooling costs by 15 50%. INSULATION 1 ft The natural way to keep cooling costs down GO WEST SAFETY FIRST To prevent serious injury or death, keep yourself, your tools and ladder at least 3 metres away from a powerline. Contact a certified arborist before getting out the shears. LEAVE LOTS OF ROOM When planting a tree, keep it a safe distance away from primary lines (those that run from pole to pole) and service wires (those that run to your house). Planting evergreen trees, shrubs and vines at least 30 cm (one foot) away from your home s wall creates dead air space that insulates in both winter and summer. THINK OF THE SEASON Certain trees have seasonal advantages. For example, deciduous trees let in sunlight during the winter but block up to 90% in the summer while still letting a breeze through. Place trees strategically on the south and west sides of your home to prevent direct sun exposure. GET GROUNDED Ground cover is a cost-effective project that anyone can plant on a weekend. Shrubs and groundcovering plants cool the air before it hits your home, reducing the need for air conditioning. THINK LONG-TERM Every tree grows differently, so how big will yours be in 30 to 40 years? See page 20 to learn how LEAF can help you plant the right tree in the right place. WHEN IN DOUBT, CALL If you have a safety concern about a tree growing near powerlines, here s what you should do: Trees on city-owned property: call 311 or submit an online request at www1.toronto.ca Trees on your property: hire a qualified arborist licensed to work on trees around powerlines

11 NATURAL COOLING TIPS How LEAF is helping homeowners branch out JANET MCKAY, Executive Director of LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), gets Toronto residents excited about trees. Through guided tree tours, do-it-yourself garden kits and subsidized tree programs, the organization is enhancing Toronto s urban forest one tree at a time. There s a lot to consider when it comes to planting a tree, says Janet. Soil type, light and space all affect a tree s chance at a long and healthy life. We help people plant the right tree in the right place. LEAF s full-service backyard tree planting program includes a 45-minute consultation with a certified arborist, as well as tree delivery and planting. We take care of everything most people end up with a variety of trees that work well together. A DIY planting program is also offered, which includes online consultation and tree delivery. LEAF provides advice and resources for how to care for the tree. We help people make informed choices about the best species for their home, for our city and for our urban forest, Janet explains. And we re always available for follow-up tree care questions too. For more information about LEAF s backyard tree planting programs, visit yourleaf.org. FULL SERVICE DO-IT-YOURSELF INCLUDES: Consultation with an arborist Online workshop and videos Personalized tree recommendation 5 8 ft. ( m) deciduous tree or 2 4 ft. ( m) evergreen Free delivery Full planting service Mulch and care guide TREE-L-C Janet s top tips for a healthy tree THINK LOCAL Native trees are more resilient in our climate, won t choke out other species, and can help protect urban wildlife such as birds and butterflies. MULCH IT Spread a layer of woodchip mulch (the bigger the area the better) around the base of the tree to keep the soil moist. SOAK IT Water young trees twice a week from spring through fall. For mature trees, run a slow-release soaker hose at the base for several hours every two weeks during the summer. PRUNE IT Weak or dead branches can come down in storms and cause electrical damage. Contact a certified arborist to prune them safely. ALWAYS CALL BEFORE YOU DIG Before doing any yard work, call to locate underground lines. It s free and it s the law! COOL OFFER Get up to 400 in rebates This summer, stay comfortable while keeping cooling costs down. High-efficiency air conditioners are quieter, more reliable and use less electricity. Get up to 400 when you install a new highefficiency central air conditioner Get up to 250 when you install a new highefficiency furnace Your new system must be purchased from and installed by a participating contractor. For details, visit torontohydro.com/ heatingandcooling 20 21

12 HELP FOR YOUR HOME 3 1 With sunny weekends ahead, it s the perfect time to tackle some quick fix-it projects. Prioritize these DIY upgrades to make your home comfortable and save electricity. 1 GO WITH THE FLOW A low-flow showerhead can cut hot water use almost in half without sacrificing water pressure. Look for a showerhead with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm), or 9.5 litres per minute (l/min). Source: cmhc-schl.gc.ca 2 Small upgrades that save BIG TAP INTO SAVINGS Faucet aerators add air to the water stream, which saves water and makes the pressure feel greater. Look for flow rates no higher than 1.0 gpm or 3.8 l/min. 3 SWAP OLD FOR NEW Today s LEDs have come down in price, so they pay off faster in savings. They use up to 75% less electricity and last longer, which means less time spent replacing bulbs. 4 SEAL TO SAVE We tend to think of draftproofing as a winteronly task, but it also keeps valuable cool air in. Seal the cracks around doors, windows and outlets. 5 GET A DEHUMIDIFIER Higher temperatures can raise humidity levels. Get an ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifier to stay comfortable. Set it to come on during off-peak hours, when rates are lowest. STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET? 4 programs that can help FREE ENERGY UPGRADES If you qualify, we ll install upgrades to help you save electricity and make your home more comfortable. torontohydro.com/help GET A MONTHLY CREDIT ON YOUR BILL Find out if you qualify for the new Ontario Electricity Support Program. torontohydro.com/oesp IN A BIND? GET A ONE-TIME GRANT Emergency financial assistance may be available to help pay your bill. torontohydro.com/leap FREE HOME WINTERPROOFING You may qualify for new, professionally-installed insulation and draftproofing. enbridgegas.com/winterproofing 22 23

13 HOW TO REACH US GENERAL CUSTOMER CARE INQUIRIES (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m.) REPORT AN OUTAGE , press 1 (24 hours, 7 days a week) REPORT A STREETLIGHT OUT (24 hours, 7 days a week) REPORT AN EMERGENCY , press 1 (24 hours, 7 days a week) CONSTRUCTION AND LINE COVER REQUEST (24 hours, 7 days a week) SUMMER HOURS START MAY 1st Time-of-Use Rates Shift to off-peak hours, weekdays after 7 p.m. and allday weekends and statutory holidays. Weekdays 7 p.m. 7 a.m. 7 a.m. 11 a.m. 11 a.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m. Weekends and statutory holidays ALL DAY Off-peak Mid-peak On-peak WE RE MOVING TO MONTHLY! Stay tuned for more information about Ontario s move to monthly electricity bills, starting in the fall of FOLLOW US FOR UP-TO-THE- MINUTE NEWS AND UPDATES Find additional tips and tools online to help you save electricity at: torontohydro.com/conservation FPO Subject to additional terms and conditions found at torontohydro.com/conservation. saveonenergy is powered by the Independent Electricity System Operator and brought to you by Toronto Hydro. OM Official Mark of 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. *Incentives are available for installation of eligible equipment completed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 and submitted no later than Feb. 1 of the following calendar year. Equipment must be purchased from and installed by a participating contractor. 250 incentive with the purchase and installation of an eligible furnace. 250 OR 400 incentive with the purchase and installation of an eligible central air conditioner system.