Since 2022, over 130,000 BC Hydro customers have earned rewards by shifting electricity use during peak times. With new incentives, customers can now earn even more through the Peak Saver program including $50 plus a $100 bonus for enrolling an eligible smart thermostat, and $50 plus a $250 bonus for enrolling an eligible EV charger.
Peak Saver is a voluntary rewards program that helps BC Hydro manage electricity demand during peak times by encouraging customers to reduce their usage. Participants can choose between two ways to take part:
- Manual participation: Customers actively reduce their electricity consumption during designated peak events and earn $3 per successful event.
- Automated participation through connected devices: Customers enrol their eligible smart devices, such as thermostats, EV chargers, hot water controllers, and batteries, and receive $50 per season.
Seasonal rewards are typically $50 per device type for most devices, and $250 for batteries. BC Hydro is now offering increased incentives for participation including a one-time bonus when customers enroll an eligible device. Now, enroll your device and double your rewards - get $100 for a smart thermostat, $250 for an EV charger, $500 for a battery, and $100 for a load controller.
TThere are almost 131,000 participants in the Peak Saver program across the province, with most reporting minimal impact to their daily routines. In fact, 79 per cent of participants with connected devices in automated participation said they did not even notice when events were taking place.1
For customers manually lowering their consumption, when a Peak Saver event is scheduled, participants receive a text or email with the date, time, and energy-saving goal, for example, reduce electricity use by 20 per cent to earn $3. During the event, customers shift high-energy activities to before or after the designated time and reduce their electricity use. If they meet the challenge target, they earn a reward toward their BC Hydro bill.
During Peak Saver events, participants most commonly take the following actions to shift electricity use:
- Adjusting thermostats in electrically heated homes or using a programmable thermostat - heating costs can increase by about 5 per cent for every degree above 20°C.
- Delaying laundry and dishwashing.
- Using small appliances like slow cookers, toaster ovens, and pressure cookers that use up to 70 per cent less electricity than large appliances.
- Turning off unnecessary lights.
In addition to earning rewards, Peak Saver participants across B.C. provide BC Hydro with capacity savings of about 34 megawatts for all events, the equivalent to charging around 40,000 electric vehicles.
TTo set yourself up for Peak Saver success, purchase an eligible four-pack of Mysa smart thermostats in-store from Costco until January 2, 2026, and save instantly at checkout. To enroll a connected device or participate in Peak Saver, visit bchydro.com/powersmart.
[1] Based on Fiscal 2025 winter post-season analysis
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
e. media@bchydro.com
p. 604 928 6468
