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Cool Challenge Contest

You can help us all win by reducing your electricity use in peak periods. But to make it even sweeter, we are giving away 24 - $200 gift certificates for Mountain Equipment Co-op gear, LuluLemon clothing, Future Shop electronics and appliances, or Indigo books and music. That means you'll have at least a dozen chances to win in our two draws -- the first will take place July 31st and the second will take place on September 30th.

Want to make your odds of winning even better? Challenge your friends and family to also become PeakBusters. Simply send them an e-card from this site with a couple of clicks and you will receive an additional entry for every person who responds to one of your e-cards. This is a great way to spread the word about a great environmental action while also improving your chances.

There are two ways to enter. If your home is equipped with central air conditioning, simply arrange for the installation of a peaksaver device.

When you sign up for peaksaver, your local utility (e.g., Toronto Hydro, Enersource, Hydro One) will attach a small radio or internet controlled device to your air conditioner. On extremely hot days when power use soars, the utility may signal the device to turn up your air conditioner by a couple of degrees for a few hours (maximum of 4 hours), thereby saving valuable energy. Because your air conditioner continues to run, your home won't really feel a lot different -- but you will be helping to phase out the use of climate-damaging coal power. See our peaksaver page for more details on how the program works and for utility contact information.

If you don't have central air conditioning or live in a multi-residential building, you can still win! See the "No AC? You can still win" section below for details.

I'm installing peaksaver on my air conditioner

* indicates required field

I am signing up or have already signed up for my utility's peaksaver program. (More tips on using air conditioning efficiently.)*

First Name *
Last Name *
Address *
City *
Postal Code *
Phone *
Email *

I have read and agree to abide by the contest rules. *

I would like to join the OCAA's email list and be kept informed about how we can reduce the impact of electricity generation on climate change and smog.

By entering this contest, you are agreeing to allow the OCAA to contact your utility to confirm your participation in the peaksaver program if you are selected as a prize winner.

No AC? You can still win!

If you don't have central air conditioning or live in a multi-residential building, you can still win. Just tell us which of the actions below you are taking. (Please note: If your home is equipped with central air conditioning, you are only eligible to enter in the peaksaver category.)

You must have completed 3 of the following actions to enter (click box beside those you've done).

I only use large appliances such as dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer after 8 p.m.
I unplugged the beer fridge in the basement or garage and turned it in to the Great Refrigerator Round up.
I use solar power (clothesline) to dry my clothes.
I use cold water for laundry.
I turned down the temperature on my water heater.
I put my electric water heater on a timer so it is off when I am at work all day.
I've had an ecoEnergy Home Assessment and I'm getting my home's energy act together.
I've installed EnergyStar qualified ceiling fans to keep the cool moving in summer and the heat circulating in winter.
I've installed EnergyStar qualified appliances (refrigerator, clothes dryer, water heater).
I've installed a solar power system (photovoltaic or hot water).
I've switched to natural gas appliances for cooking or drying.
I've installed an on-demand water heater.
I've plugged "vampire" devices like device chargers, TV set top boxes, computers and other electronics into power bars and switch them off when not in use (many of these devices continue to use power even when "off").

Complete your contact details.

* indicates required field

First Name *
Last Name *
Address *
City *
Postal Code *
Phone *
Email *

I have read and agree to abide by the contest rules. *

I would like to join the OCAA's email list and be kept informed about how we can reduce the impact of electricity generation on climate change and smog.