Chatham-Kent’s hydro provider has launched a new initiative to make it easier for its customers to track and reduce their energy usage.
Alongside Ontario Energy Minister Todd Smith, Entegrus Powerlines Inc. announced on Monday that it will begin offering Green Button data to families and businesses across several communities, including Chatham-Kent.
Green Button allows electricity consumers to digitally download their hourly usage data from their utility in a standardized digital format. The data can then be used to inform customers on how to manage their energy in a way that helps save them money.
“Families and businesses want to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to their energy bills,” said Smith. “Green Button is part of our commitment to give consumers more choice when it comes to their energy use and will enable easy, quick and safe access to their consumption data through smartphone or computer apps so they can find customized tips to reduce energy use or switch electricity price plans to save money.”
According to Entegrus, studies have shown that access to energy data can help consumers save up to 18 per cent on their monthly bills.
The provincial government introduced a requirement on November 1, 2021 that most regulated Ontario electricity and natural gas utilities must provide their customers with access to their energy usage data in Green Button format no later than November 1, 2023.