Through a collaborative pilot project, homeowners in Oakville will soon have a more sustainable, cost-effective option for heating water in their homes.
As a result of a new partnership between Oakville Hydro, Mattamy Homes Canada, and Hootwater Inc., a device developed by Hootwater will be installed on electric water tanks in new homes in Mattamy’s Upper Joshua Creek community development.
As new communities and home energy demands become increasingly electrified, an ongoing challenge exists to find new solutions for water heating. Electric tanks use energy when consuming hot water, which may occur when rates are highest and grid demand is peaking.
This device offers homeowners the opportunity to save on water-heating costs by shifting demand away from peak periods.
“Water heating ranks as one of the largest energy consumers in households," said Scott Mudie, EVP and Chief Energy Transformation Officer at Oakville Hydro.
"We have teamed up with Hootwater to demonstrate the efficacy of the Hoot Smart Device in our collaborative pilot project with Mattamy Homes. At Oakville Hydro, we’re committed to leveraging technology to reduce our carbon footprint by improving efficiency, optimizing resource use and promoting cleaner energy alternatives.”
Through the leadership of Mattamy Homes Canada, Oakville Hydro, and a new, innovative technology from Toronto-based Hootwater, each new home in Mattamy’s current phase of the Upper Joshua Creek community will come equipped with a Hoot Smart Device. This device will shift much of the water heating to off-peak hours while maintaining a consistent supply of hot water for homeowners.
“At Mattamy Homes Canada, we are on focused on [sic] building more energy-efficient homes that include lower carbon and cost-effective solutions for our homeowners," said Brad Carr, CEO of Mattamy Homes Canada.
"Partnering with like-minded organizations that share our vision of a more sustainable future is a key element of this commitment. This initiative with Hootwater and Oakville Hydro is a great example of how different players in our industry can come together to make a difference.”
To enhance the value proposition for homeowners in this community, Oakville Hydro is offering a monthly $5 bill credit for residents who activate their Hoot Smart Device.
This incentive underscores the utility's commitment to increasing energy efficiency through the use of innovative solutions that contribute to improving the stability of the electricity grid, while also benefiting the customer.
"Our company was founded on the premise that ‘it’s time to give a Hoot about your hot water'," said Bob Chown, President of Hootwater Inc.
"We are pleased to partner with Mattamy Homes and Oakville Hydro on this first project that sets a new standard for home water heating in Ontario.”