I suggest that it is time for a change at your utility to make a meaningful electric conservation offer.  Here are 3 examples;

1. Retrofitting ALL forced air furnaces with an ECM electric motor will cost the homeowner about $600 not $6000 - and will reduce the furnaces electricity consumption by some 200%. If the homeowner leaves the circulating fan on, the savings are about doubled.
2. Replacing ALL old refrigerators pre 1995 with 20 cu ft Energy Star models at a cost of about $600 will reduce electrical consumption by over 400%.
3. For the some 600k, mostly rural Ontario homeowners, with electric baseboard heat from the Ontario Hydro era, add a ductless, – 20C, air source heat pump for about $3500 to $4000 to reduce the homeowners electrical heating consumption by a half or more .

If the utility up-fronted the capital costs, the home owner can repay the capital cost on their hydro bill from a portion of the savings. The utility, through the OEB process, can make its business good by a distribution rate increase based on the net conservation savings. Home owners save, the utility saves, OPG saves and the spiral of rate increases might slow.

We are overdue for a change at Ontario utilities – Get serious about Conservation!

 
Bob Fisher