Peak Saver challenges
Challenge your household to shift, save and earn
Peak Saver challenges allow you to earn financial rewards for reducing your electricity use during peak events, which are brief periods of high demand on our system.
Can you shift and save this winter? Get rewarded for it.
Winter events run from November 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
Earn rewards for successful challenges
Participate in challenges during peak events—short periods when electricity use is expected to be highest, typically during very cold or hot weather.
When you shift or save enough electricity to meet the challenge's reduction target, you earn rewards. For instance, achieving a 20% reduction might earn you a $3 reward.
We typically host 15 to 20 peak events each challenge season, with each lasting one to four hours.
By participating, you not only earn rewards but also help reduce strain on your community's electrical system during peak times.
How Peak Saver challenges work
Here's what to expect:
- Alert: You'll receive an email/text with the date and time of the next peak event, including the challenge reduction target and potential reward. For example, reduce by 20% to earn $3.
- Shift or reduce: Shift high-energy activities to before or after the event and reduce your electricity use during the event.
- Reward: Earn a reward if you meet the challenge target.
You can participate in as many or as few challenges as you'd like. There's no penalty for not succeeding.
Your total reward will be provided via a credit on your BC Hydro bill after each challenge season. We have two Peak Saver challenge seasons each year.
Winter season
- Events run from November through March.
- Total reward applied to your BC Hydro bill between April and June.
Summer season
- Events run from June through September.
- Total reward applied to your BC Hydro bill between October and December.
Currently, summer Peak Saver is available by invitation only in select residential locations.
We'll estimate your typical use based on an average from your three days with the highest usage out of the previous five days including weekends and holidays. Prior challenge days are excluded.
After the challenge, we compare your typical use to your actual use. If you reduced your electricity use enough to meet the challenge target, you'll earn the reward.
You can view this comparison for each challenge by logging in to your Peak Saver timeline.
To succeed, you’ll need to take steps to shift or reduce electricity use during challenge. Here are some ideas:
Heating (winter challenges)
- Turn down thermostats on electric heating systems by one or two degrees if you can. Layer up with a sweater or blanket.
- Turn down or turn off heating in unused rooms during the challenge.
Water heating
- Use the shower or bath before or after the challenge – heating the water uses a lot of electricity.
- If you have a hot tub or pool, don't heat them up or use the pool pump during challenges.
Cooking, cleaning & lighting
- Instead of cooking with your oven or stove, try using small appliances like a toaster oven or slow cooker.
- Don't run your dishwasher, clothes washer or dryer during a challenge. Hang dry your clothes when you can.
- Turn off unnecessary lights.
- Don't use corded vacuum cleaners, irons, or power tools during a challenge.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging
- If you charge an EV at home, delay charging until after the challenge.
Cooling (summer challenges)
- Cool your home before the challenge starts using your preferred cooling method and again after it ends, if needed.
- Keep windows and blinds closed during the day to keep the heat out and open during the evening to allow cool air to flow through your home.
For more everyday tips, explore our ways to save energy everywhere in your home.
Already participating? Track your results
We'll email you after each challenge once your results are ready. For a summary of your results and rewards earned to date, log in and check your Peak Saver timeline.