Tips & Resources

THe Power to Save booklet cover

In this how-to guide, you’ll get tips to manage your electricity, take control of your bills, and save money, including:

Easy ways to save energy, outlined by season and the appliances around your home
Information about the three different rate options to help you choose the one that’s right for your personal lifestyle
Top five tips to become a “Power Shifter”
Simple instructions to register for and log in to My Alectra, our online customer portal
A helpful appliance use chart showing the differences between on-peak and off-peak price periods
Bonus: A crossword and brain teasers are included as an educational tool for kids!

Download the Power to Save customer booklet

Energy usage climbs substantially during periods of hot weather, especially for those customers who use air conditioning, dehumidifiers or have a pool. Also, appliances such as refrigerators and freezers work harder to maintain temperature under these conditions.

Use these tips to help lessen the impact and better manage your electricity cost

As an alternative to air conditioning, use ceiling and portable fans to circulate the air when you are in the room - they cost pennies to operate and can provide comfort in spaces that are not air conditioned.

On cool nights, open the windows and use bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans to help remove warm air from inside your home. Be sure to clean exhaust fans regularly to keep them running efficiently and prevent overheating.

Whenever possible, use the microwave, toaster oven or barbecue.

Use a clothesline or clothes rack to dry your clothes instead of a dryer.

Use curtains or blinds to shade windows during hot sunny days.

Use solar outdoor lighting for landscaping and change incandescent light bulbs to LED light bulbs.

Put your swimming pool pump on a timer and consider upgrading to an ENERGY STAR® certified unit.

Summer Water-saving Tips

Reducing water consumption can help lower your household costs. Here are a few tips to consider:

Use rain barrels to collect and store rainwater from your rooftop, which can be used for watering plants and gardens.

Keep a jug of drinking water in the fridge instead of running the tap until the water is cold.

Don't cut grass too short; leave clippings on your lawn to work as mulch and retain moisture.

Install low-flow shower heads and reduce time spent in the shower.

Minimize lawn watering. If you have to water your lawn, do it in the evening or early morning for less evaporation. During the summer your lawn only needs 2.5 cm of water per week.

Winter Energy-saving Tips

Approximately 60 per cent of the energy consumed by an average home is used for heating and cooling. Several consecutive days of extreme cold weather of -25°C or more can put added stress on your home heating and energy costs.

Here are some simple measures you can take to reduce the effects of the cold winter on your electricity bills.

Eliminate cold drafts

Install weather stripping around doors and windows, and foam gaskets in wall outlets.
Open curtains and shades on sunny days to allow the sun to naturally warm your home; close window coverings at night to help keep warm air inside.
Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan to push warm air downward.
Check your attic – if you have less than 150 mm (15 cm) of insulation, install more.

Turn off electronics and lighting

Plug your electronics into a power bar and turn it off when not in use.
Visiting family for the holidays or going on a sunny vacation? Unplug non-essential electronics such as televisions, microwaves, computers, etc.
Save energy and make your bulbs last longer by using indoor and outdoor timers, motion detectors and dimmer switches for lights.
Use LED holiday lights and replace indoor and outdoor incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR^® certified LED light bulbs, which use up to 75 per cent less energy.

Control temperature and time-of-use

Turn down your thermostat – lowering the temperature a degree or two can help you save on energy costs.
Use programmable thermostats to maintain comfortable temperatures – 20°C to 21°C when you are at home; 18°C when you are asleep or away.
Programmable thermostats are also available for electric baseboard heaters.
Shift use of electric appliances such as dishwashers, dryers and ovens to off-peak price periods – 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends and holidays.

Maintain heating equipment

Change your furnace filter regularly and keep vents clear of furniture and appliances for optimum operating efficiency.
An annual furnace inspection by an HVAC professional can save on costly repairs.
Wrap your electric hot water tank with a water heater blanket to reduce energy loss by up to 40 per cent, especially if your tank is more than 10 years old.
If finances permit, replace your old inefficient furnace, water heater, appliances, windows and doors with new ENERGY STAR^®certified models for year-round savings and comfort.

Resources for all seasons

Follow these industry links to learn more

Ontario Ministry of Energy - https://www.ontario.ca/page/how-use-less-electricity-home
Save on Energy - https://www.saveonenergy.ca/
Energy Star - https://www.energystar.gov

Appliance Usage Table

How much are your appliances costing you? Use the table below to estimate the average annual electricity consumption and cost of your appliances, and discover opportunities for energy savings.

Table Cell Value Kitchen Appliances
	Table Cell Value Wattage Range	Table Cell Value Estimated* Annual Consumption kWh (watts x hours/use x #uses)	Table Cell Value Time-of-Use Off-Peak Rate $0.076 / kWh	Table Cell Value Time-of-Use On-Peak Rate $0.158 / kWh	Table Cell Value Time-of-Use Mid-Peak Rate $0.122 / kWh	Table Cell Value Average Cost to use per year based on Alectra Winter Time-of-Use Rates**
Table Cell Value Bread Toaster (2-slice)	Table Cell Value 700W - 1000W	Table Cell Value 73	Table Cell Value $5.55	Table Cell Value $11.53	Table Cell Value $8.91	Table Cell Value $7
Table Cell Value Air Fryer	Table Cell Value 1500W	Table Cell Value 90	Table Cell Value $6.84	Table Cell Value $14.22	Table Cell Value $10.98	Table Cell Value $9
Table Cell Value Coffee Maker	Table Cell Value 800W - 1400W	Table Cell Value 108	Table Cell Value $8.21	Table Cell Value $17.06	Table Cell Value $13.18	Table Cell Value $11
Table Cell Value Dishwasher	Table Cell Value 1200W - 1500W	Table Cell Value 156	Table Cell Value $11.86	Table Cell Value $24.65	Table Cell Value $19.03	Table Cell Value $16
Table Cell Value Electric Kettle	Table Cell Value 1200W - 3000W	Table Cell Value 72	Table Cell Value $5.47	Table Cell Value $11.38	Table Cell Value $8.78	Table Cell Value $7
Table Cell Value Electric Stove and Cook Top	Table Cell Value 1000W - 5000W	Table Cell Value 1000 - 1500	Table Cell Value $76 - $114	Table Cell Value $158 - $237	Table Cell Value $122 - $183	Table Cell Value $100 - $150
Table Cell Value Fridge Freezer 22 cu. ft. (post 2000)	Table Cell Value dependent on model type	Table Cell Value 525	Table Cell Value $39.90	Table Cell Value $82.95	Table Cell Value $64.05	Table Cell Value $52
Table Cell Value Fridge Freezer 22 cu. ft. (pre 2000)	Table Cell Value dependent on model type	Table Cell Value 765	Table Cell Value $58.14	Table Cell Value $120.87	Table Cell Value $93.33	Table Cell Value $76
Table Cell Value Microwave	Table Cell Value 1000W - 2500W	Table Cell Value 60	Table Cell Value $4.56	Table Cell Value $9.48	Table Cell Value $7.32	Table Cell Value $6
Table Cell Value Toaster Oven	Table Cell Value 1500W	Table Cell Value 36	Table Cell Value $2.74	Table Cell Value $5.69	Table Cell Value $4.39	Table Cell Value $4
Table Cell Value Deep Freezer 16 cu. ft. (post 2000)	Table Cell Value dependent on model type	Table Cell Value 440	Table Cell Value $33.44	Table Cell Value $69.52	Table Cell Value $53.68	Table Cell Value $44
Table Cell Value Deep Freezer 16 cu. ft. (pre 2000)	Table Cell Value dependent on model type	Table Cell Value 655	Table Cell Value $49.78	Table Cell Value $103.49	Table Cell Value $79.91	Table Cell Value $65
Table Cell Value Clothes Cleaning
Table Cell Value Clothes Dryer	Table Cell Value 2000W - 5000W	Table Cell Value 1200	Table Cell Value $91.20	Table Cell Value $189.60	Table Cell Value $146.40	Table Cell Value $120
Table Cell Value Electric Iron	Table Cell Value 800W - 1500W	Table Cell Value 72	Table Cell Value $5.47	Table Cell Value $11.38	Table Cell Value $8.78	Table Cell Value $7
Table Cell Value Electric Iron	Table Cell Value 1000W	Table Cell Value 52	Table Cell Value $3.95	Table Cell Value $8.22	Table Cell Value $6.34	Table Cell Value $5
Table Cell Value Washing Machine	Table Cell Value 500W	Table Cell Value 60	Table Cell Value $4.56	Table Cell Value $9.48	Table Cell Value $7.32	Table Cell Value $6
Table Cell Value Supplementary Heating and Cooling
Table Cell Value 1.5 Ton Air Conditioner (Window)	Table Cell Value 1000W - 1500W	Table Cell Value 562.5	Table Cell Value $42.75	Table Cell Value $88.88	Table Cell Value $68.63	Table Cell Value $56
Table Cell Value Portable Electric Heater	Table Cell Value 1000W - 1500W	Table Cell Value 400	Table Cell Value $30.40	Table Cell Value $63.20	Table Cell Value $48.80	Table Cell Value $40
Table Cell Value Space Heater	Table Cell Value 1500W	Table Cell Value 600	Table Cell Value $45.60	Table Cell Value $94.80	Table Cell Value $73.20	Table Cell Value $60
Table Cell Value Electric Heater Fan	Table Cell Value 1500W	Table Cell Value 600	Table Cell Value $45.60	Table Cell Value $94.80	Table Cell Value $73.20	Table Cell Value $60
Table Cell Value Ceiling Fan (48-inch)	Table Cell Value 60W - 80W	Table Cell Value 61.6	Table Cell Value $4.68	Table Cell Value $9.73	Table Cell Value $7.52	Table Cell Value $6
Table Cell Value Lighting
Table Cell Value Incandescent Lightbulb (60 watts)	Table Cell Value 60W	Table Cell Value 109.5	Table Cell Value $8.32	Table Cell Value $17.30	Table Cell Value $13.36	Table Cell Value $11
Table Cell Value LED Light Bulb	Table Cell Value 7W - 10W	Table Cell Value 12.775	Table Cell Value $0.97	Table Cell Value $2.02	Table Cell Value $1.56	Table Cell Value $1
Table Cell Value General Usage
Table Cell Value LCD TV (42-inch)	Table Cell Value 110W - 130W	Table Cell Value 131.4	Table Cell Value $9.99	Table Cell Value $20.76	Table Cell Value $16.03	Table Cell Value $13
Table Cell Value Amazon Echo	Table Cell Value 3W	Table Cell Value 26.28	Table Cell Value $2.00	Table Cell Value $4.15	Table Cell Value $3.21	Table Cell Value $3
Table Cell Value Clock Radio	Table Cell Value 1W - 2W	Table Cell Value 13.14	Table Cell Value $1.00	Table Cell Value $2.08	Table Cell Value $1.60	Table Cell Value $1
Table Cell Value Computer Monitor	Table Cell Value 25W - 30W	Table Cell Value 33	Table Cell Value $2.51	Table Cell Value $5.21	Table Cell Value $4.03	Table Cell Value $3
Table Cell Value Curling Iron	Table Cell Value 25W - 35W	Table Cell Value 3.3	Table Cell Value $0.25	Table Cell Value $0.52	Table Cell Value $0.40	Table Cell Value $0
Table Cell Value Dehumidifier	Table Cell Value 240W	Table Cell Value 96	Table Cell Value $7.30	Table Cell Value $15.17	Table Cell Value $11.71	Table Cell Value $10
Table Cell Value Desktop Computer	Table Cell Value 100W - 450W	Table Cell Value 462	Table Cell Value $35.11	Table Cell Value $73.00	Table Cell Value $56.36	Table Cell Value $46
Table Cell Value Electric Shaver	Table Cell Value 15W - 20W	Table Cell Value 1.4	Table Cell Value $0.11	Table Cell Value $0.22	Table Cell Value $0.17	Table Cell Value $0
Table Cell Value Game Console	Table Cell Value 120W - 170W	Table Cell Value 109.5	Table Cell Value $8.32	Table Cell Value $17.30	Table Cell Value $13.36	Table Cell Value $11
Table Cell Value Hair Blow Dryer	Table Cell Value 1000W - 3000W	Table Cell Value 109.89	Table Cell Value $8.35	Table Cell Value $17.36	Table Cell Value $13.41	Table Cell Value $11
Table Cell Value Laptop Computer	Table Cell Value 40W - 120W	Table Cell Value 105.6	Table Cell Value $8.03	Table Cell Value $16.68	Table Cell Value $12.88	Table Cell Value $11
Table Cell Value Phone Charger	Table Cell Value 4W - 7W	Table Cell Value 3.65	Table Cell Value $0.28	Table Cell Value $0.58	Table Cell Value $0.45	Table Cell Value $0
Table Cell Value PlayStation 4	Table Cell Value 85W - 150W	Table Cell Value 73	Table Cell Value $5.55	Table Cell Value $11.53	Table Cell Value $8.91	Table Cell Value $7
Table Cell Value Vacuum Cleaner	Table Cell Value 450W - 900W	Table Cell Value 78	Table Cell Value $5.93	Table Cell Value $12.32	Table Cell Value $9.52	Table Cell Value $8
Table Cell Value Wine Cooler (18 bottles)	Table Cell Value 83W	Table Cell Value 727.08	Table Cell Value $55.26	Table Cell Value $114.88	Table Cell Value $88.70	Table Cell Value $73

*Many factors contribute to usage. Family size, cooking needs, and home size are factors that must be taken into consideration with respect to overall usage.

**Does not include delivery, regulatory or Ontario Electricity Rebate.