Many people think that turning the heat back up after having turned it down simply cancels out any savings you may have made. This is based on an assumption that the heating system will use more electricity to reach the desired temperature. Although a widely held belief, it is nevertheless incorrect. With this strategy, it is indeed possible to use less electricity and save money.
Putting your heating system on pause
When you turn down the temperature setting on your thermostats, when you go out or go to bed or during a peak demand event, your heating system turns off or slows down considerably. During that time, you use a lot less electricity.
The inside of your home won’t cool down suddenly. A well‑insulated home conserves its heat for quite a while. The comfort level is maintained even though the heating has been turned down..
No energy catch-up
It is not uncommon to believe that a heating system then needs to “work harder” in order to compensate. In reality, it simply turns back on until the desired temperature is reached. The system uses the electricity it needs but no more.
Net savings
Even if the heating system turns back on and stays on for a while after the temperature is turned back up, it uses less electricity than had it been operating non‑stop. Turning the heating back on never uses more electricity than what was saved when the system was not operating.
Good habits that pay off
When temperatures drop, electricity demand rises sharply at certain times of day. These are known as peak periods.
During these periods, turning down the heating for a few hours generates even more savings if you sign up for an offer to help you save in winter. With Rate Flex D, you’ll be rewarded for your good habits.
Did you know?
With Rate Flex D, you can pay less for your electricity than with the base rate for most of the winter. Whether it’s with smart thermostats or the devices you already have at home, you can save up to 20% on your winter electricity bill!
How can you save during peak demand events?
The following diagram presents, step by step, a simple and effective strategy to reduce your electricity consumption during a peak demand, while including a preheating period to ensure your comfort.
- Maintain the temperature setting at 21 °C.
- Two hours before the peak demand event, preheat your home to 22.5 °C.
- At the start of the peak demand event, set the thermostat to 20 °C. Your heating system will stop or slow down significantly.
- The temperature will gradually drop to 20 °C.
- After the peak demand event, set your thermostat to 21 °C.
- Your heating system will only heat your home until it reaches the desired temperature.
The shaded area illustrates the electricity saved. Preheating your home requires electricity, but it is consumed before the peak demand event, when the price is lower. The result? Net savings.
Smart thermostats make it all easier
Do you ever forget to turn down the temperature setting? You don’t want to have to think about it every day? Smart thermostats do it for you. They automatically adjust the temperature based on your habits. That means you only use the electricity you actually need.
With the Hilo service, it’s even easier. Preheating your home, turning down the temperature setting and then turning the temperature back up—it’s all automated. You’ll save without lifting a finger!
A habit that pays off
Turning the heat down and then turning it back up—and using less electricity in the process—is a solid strategy. Now that the myth has been debunked, all that’s left to do is to adopt the habit and start saving.
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