As bitterly cold temperatures grip the East Coast, energy providers like Hydro-Québec and Toronto Hydro are feeling the pressure. Extreme weather conditions like these are a test of resilience for electrical grids, with rising demand for heating putting unprecedented stress on infrastructure.
The Impact of Cold Weather on the Grid Cold weather drives a surge in electricity consumption, particularly in cities like Montreal and Toronto, where many buildings rely on electric heating. This increased demand can:
• Peak periods can quickly push the grid to its limits, raising the risk of loss of power
• Highly inefficient older buildings putting a serious strain, one of the leading causes for blackouts in Montreal.
• High winds in highly populated areas can also put a strain on wires and lead to more loss of power
In the last week and a half, the weather has left more than 107k Québec residents without power.
For Hydro-Québec, electricity demand during cold snaps often breaks records, and Toronto Hydro must manage similar spikes, especially during early morning and evening peak hours. Periods like these demonstrate just how fragile our energy systems can be when pushed to the brink.
Small Actions, Big Impact In cities where the electrical grid is under stress, small actions can make a big difference . From lowering thermostats by just a degree or two to unplugging unnecessary electronics, individuals can play a role in easing the strain.
But individual actions aren’t enough. In Montreal, 48% of carbon emissions come from buildings ...and the majority from commercial properties. Building owners and property managers have a significant opportunity—and responsibility—to reduce their energy consumption and improve efficiency during these critical moments.
How Large Building Owners Can Help Fortunately, there are tools available to support businesses in taking action, this can relieve a bit of pressure on the everyday home owner.
For example, EcoView is designed to help businesses and property managers:
• Identify inefficiencies in their buildings’ energy usage.
• Track performance to understand where improvements are needed.
• Take targeted actions to reduce consumption and avoid unnecessary strain on the grid.
By implementing energy-saving measures, businesses can not only lower their emissions but also contribute to grid stability during extreme weather events. This collaboration is essential to avoid blackouts and keep cities running smoothly.
A Collective Responsibility The Arctic winds are a reminder of how interconnected we are when it comes to energy usage. Small individual actions, paired with larger commitments from building owners and businesses, can collectively make a significant difference.
As temperatures drop, let’s rise to the occasion by reducing energy consumption, improving building efficiency, and doing our part to protect our grid. Together, we can ensure our communities remain warm, safe, and sustainable—no matter how cold it gets outside.
💡 Ready to make a difference? Learn how EcoView can help your business reduce emissions and energy usage while protecting the grid.
