Hydro-Québec offering all customers free smart thermostats

Hydro-Quebec said a Hilo smart thermostat can save customers on bills throughout Quebec's winters. (Source: Hydro-Quebec)

Hydro-Québec announced on Thursday that it was rolling out “the most ambitious energy efficiency strategy in its history,” which will see it offer smart thermostats to households and propose dynamic energy consumption options for large commercial and institutional buildings.

The Crown utility will invest $10 billion between now and 2035 to save 10 per cent of all the electricity consumed in the province, “at the lowest price compared with all possible sources of supply,” said Dave Rhéaume, Hydro-Québec’s executive vice-president of commercial activities and head of customer relations.

In these turbulent economic times, Rhéaume stressed the importance of “acting collectively” and “investing in our greatest strengths to consume more efficiently and ensure our energy autonomy.”

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 He said “this is an important moment in the evolution of Hydro-Québec.”

He is delighted that “energy efficiency will support our economy by creating more than 5,000 new jobs in every region of Quebec.”

Ultimately, the savings will be equivalent to the consumption of one house in four.

Hydro-Québec is launching three major initiatives totalling $2 billion that will affect the entire population.

For residential customers, it is introducing a $0 access program for smart thermostats to help households reduce their electricity consumption and thus lower their bills. Hydro-Québec’s goal is to have more than one million units installed.

The offering for tenants and vulnerable customers will also be modernized.

For commercial and institutional customers, the utility wants large buildings to become “models of energy efficiency” by better managing heating, ventilation and lighting, and by taking into account occupancy times.

It will create “a new alliance to encourage managers of large buildings to put in place the best energy practices.”

The Efficient Solutions program for the acquisition of equipment in small and medium-sized businesses should help to reduce their energy bills by up to 20 per cent.

For industrial customers, a personalized technical and financial support service has been set up “to remove the main obstacles to carrying out projects” and make industries more competitive at the same time.

Modernized standards will also enhance the energy performance of buildings and industries, contributing to 25 per cent of total energy savings.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 24, 2025.