Frequently Asked Questions About Take A Load Off Toronto Spring Campaign

What are these events?
Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (Toronto Hydro) has partnered with four Toronto retailers to educate our customers about electricity savings during special in-store events.

The offers featured at the Take A Load Off Toronto Spring Campaign events taking place at Toronto retailers are open to Toronto residents only. The events include free clothesline giveaways and discounts on conservation products, including specialty compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and cold water laundry detergent. On top of this, Toronto Hydro event representatives we will be giving out Every Kilowatt Counts (EKC) discount coupons for a variety of energy efficient products and will be on hand to offer valuable, money-saving tips on how to easily conserve electricity.

Return to top

How long are the events running?
The events will take place at different retailers over 3 weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from April 26 to May 11, 2008. Check the schedule for event times and locations.

Return to top

How do I get the free clothesline?
Visit a participating retailer on a designated event day and be one of the first 500 Toronto residents to visit our event area between 10am and 5pm and receive a free clothesline*, courtesy of Toronto Hydro.

Not every store has an event every day so please check the schedule for event times and participating locations.

*LIMIT: 1 clothesline per City of Toronto household. Proof of Toronto residency will be required.

THE PROCESS:

• Go to a participating store
• Locate Take A Load Off Toronto Event Area
• The first 500 Toronto residents will receive a free clothesline (Limit 1 clothesline per City of Toronto household)
• You will be required to show proof that you are Toronto resident
• Complete a brief survey and provide your postal code (optional)
• Learn about ways to save electricity in and around your home
• Take advantage of great discounts offered by Toronto Hydro on featured energy saving products: $2 off cold water laundry detergent and $3 off specialty ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs

Return to top

Can anyone get a free clothesline?
Quantities are limited and each event starts at 10am. Each of the first 500 Toronto residents to attend the Take A Load Off Toronto events can receive a free clothesline. Proof of Toronto residency will be required and there is a limit of 1 clothesline per City of Toronto household.

Return to top

Where can I put up the clothesline?
The clothesline is made for both indoor and outdoor use. Be sure to read the instructions that come with the clothesline carefully before mounting and using the clothesline. The clothesline should be mounted on a surface that can withstand the weight the clothesline will bear.

Return to top

How do I take advantage of the discounts offered by Toronto Hydro on featured energy saving products?
To reduce the amount of waste produced, this year our campaign has gone paperless. When you visit a participating retailer on designated event days, the discounts on featured energy-saving products will already be programmed into the cash register system. Simply select the discounted products you wish to purchase, bring them directly to the cash register and the discounts will automatically be applied when the item is scanned.

Return to top

I have a business, is the offer open to businesses?
The Take A Load Off Toronto events are targeting Toronto Hydro's residential customers, not businesses. There are a number of other conservation and demand-management programs available for businesses. Click here, to learn about them.

Return to top

What is "Every Kilowatt Counts" and how do the instant discount coupons work?
In addition to the giveaways and discounts, Toronto Hydro is working with the Ontario Power Authority to promote the "Every Kilowatt Counts" campaign. This coupon campaign offers everyone in Ontario the chance to redeem instant discount coupons off energy efficient products in the home. Toronto Hydro's team of representatives will have the following discount coupons for customers to use in stores:

• $15 instant rebate on ENERGY STAR qualified residential light fixtures (includes ENERGY STAR ceiling fans that have lights)
• $8 instant rebate on T8 Fluorescent Fixtures and ballasts for residential applications: Utility rooms, garages and kitchens.
• $3 instant rebate on Air Conditioner (Furnace) Filters: Pleated Fabric or Electrostatic only - purchase of 2 or more filters
• $4 instant rebate on ENERGY STAR qualified Compact Fluorescent Flood lights (outdoor or indoor - includes dimmables)
• $5 instant rebate on Heavy Duty Timer for: Pool and Spa pumps.

Return to top

Why is Toronto Hydro giving out FREE Clotheslines?
Toronto Hydro is engaging in a conservation campaign to help encourage Torontonians to conserve electricity. Take a Load Off Toronto is an innovative way to speak to our customers about conservation and remind them that they can do little things to help relieve stress on our electricity distribution system and manage their electricity consumption. This program meets Ontario's call to establish a 'conservation culture' in the province and includes the promotion of energy efficient products, incentive programs and public education.

Return to top

Why should I use a clothesline?

• Customers who switch (from using a dryer to using a clothesline) will save money and lower their electricity costs.
• You can save approximately $30 in energy costs per year by using your clothesline to dry a quarter of your laundry. The more often you use your clothesline the more you can save!
• Your clothes will not only smell great but they will last longer.
• It is physical activity which you can do in or outside.

Return to top

Can I use my clothesline during colder months?
It is possible to dry clothes outside during the winter on below-freezing days as long as it's sunny out. This is due to sublimation; the changing of a solid substance directly to a vapor without first passing through the liquid state. The term is also used to describe the reverse process of the gas changing directly to the solid again upon cooling. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sublime)

Alternatively, we suggest using the clothesline indoors in your basement or laundry room. During the winter months this can provide added humidity to the air. If your home is prone to indoor mold, you should be careful before erecting a clothesline or rack in the basement.

Return to top

Are there any tips for line drying?

• "Snap" the clothes. This shakes off debris and prevents wrinkling. You want to shake them one time so hard that they make a cracking sound.
• To prevent stiff jeans and towels -- a quick run through the dryer or a hard shake before hanging fluffs clothes up. Even towels will stay soft after they're hung to dry. They just need to be in the dryer long enough to get them puffed up. The dryer does need to be set on a heat setting, and it's a short amount of time.
• To avoid any wrinkles, place the hem of the article along the line (without folding it over) and peg along the hem.

(Source: Project Laundry List, www.laundrylist.org)

Return to top

Why is Toronto Hydro offering a discount only on cold water laundry detergent? I use normal detergent in my cold water and it work just fine.
Toronto Hydro is engaging in a conservation campaign to help encourage Torontonians to conserve electricity. Take a Load Off Toronto is an innovative way to speak to our customers about conservation and remind them that they can do little things to help relieve stress on our electricity distribution system and manage their electricity consumption. This program meets Ontario's call to establish a 'conservation culture' in the province and includes the promotion of energy efficient products, incentive programs and public education.

Washing and rinsing your laundry cycles in cold water helps reduce the amount of electricity your household uses. While many laundry detergents work equally well on cold, warm or hot water cycles, clearly marked cold-water laundry detergent are especially designed for cold water.

Savings by switching to cold water for your washing and rinse cycle:

(Based on electric water heater and thermostat temperature set at 140F, 6.3 laundry washes per week http://www.energyefficiency.org/cold/en/energy_and_cost_savings.html)

Can I use normal detergent to wash my clothes in cold water?
Yes, many laundry detergents work equally well on cold, warm or hot water cycles. Check the label or contact the manufacturer of your favorite laundry detergent to find out whether it works well in cold water.

For the purpose of Take a Load Off Toronto, Toronto Hydro is featuring clearly marked cold-water laundry detergent to encourage Torontonians to conserve electricity by washing/rinsing in cold water.

Return to top

Why is Toronto Hydro offering a discount on specialty CFLS?
Toronto Hydro is engaging in a conservation campaign to help encourage Torontonians to conserve electricity. Take a Load Off Toronto is an innovative way to speak to our customers about conservation and remind them that they can do little things to help relieve stress on our electricity distribution system and manage their electricity consumption. This program meets Ontario's call to establish a 'conservation culture' in the province and includes the promotion of energy efficient products, incentive programs and public education.

Return to top

Why should I switch my incandescent light bulbs for Compact Fluorescent Light (CFLs) Bulbs?

• Customers who switch will save money and lower their electricity costs.
• You can save approx. $27 in energy costs over the life of a compact fluorescent light bulb.
• Compact fluorescent lights last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. You only need to replace CFLs every five to six years - saving you money in the cost of replacement bulbs.
• CFLs use up to 75% less electricity than comparable standard light bulbs to produce the same amount of light.

Return to top

What are specialty CFLs and where can I use them around my home?
Specialty CFLs are non-twister CFL bulbs that can be used in a variety of different fixtures around your home. CFLs come in all shapes, sizes and wattages. Specialty bulbs now available for dimmers, tri-lights, chandeliers, floodlights, motion sensors, photocells, vanity strips and decorative fixtures (G25), torchiere floor lamps and enclosed fixtures.

Return to top

Do CFLs work with Dimmers (Dimmer Switches) and/or timers?
There are dimmable CFLs but they are not widely distributed. See store for details.

CFLs can be used with mechanical timers only. Digital timers may cause interference with the electronic ballast. Consult CFL bulb packaging for more information.

Return to top

How should CFLs be disposed of?
CFLs contain small amounts of mercury. We encourage you to dispose of your used bulbs in an environmentally friendly manner. For Toronto residents there are a few options offered by the city, which you will find here www.toronto.ca

The Home Depot and Ikea will also take back CFL bulbs and we hope that other retailers will soon follow suit.

Return to top

What if there isn't a participating retailer close to me?
There are 39 participating retailers across Toronto. Click here to see the list of 39 participating store locations. Not every store has an event every day so please check the schedule for event times.

Return to top

What are the event times and locations?
See schedule below

Return to top