Overview
While you’ve always been able to access your energy data via your
MyAccount, the Green Button
® program has been introduced and required by the
Ontario government to provide customers with even more control over their electricity bills.
Customers can use Green Button to download their hourly electricity data in a standardized format from their utility and authorize the secure transfer of this data to applications of their choice.
Understanding Green Button
There are two parts to the Green Button program: Download My Data and Connect My Data.
- Green Button Download My Data® allows customers to access their data in a safe and convenient format.
- Green Button Connect My Data® lets you securely share your usage data with registered third-party vendors who can then analyze it and provide conservation and usage-reduction recommendations and services. As more utilities in Ontario implement Green Button, new applications are expected to be developed to serve all types of customers, including residential, commercial, and industrial energy users. Please note there are currently no third-party vendors with Milton Hydro.
The Green Button program will go live for Milton Hydro customers on November 1st, 2023. This page will be updated with access information at that time.
How to use Green Button Download My Data
You can download your Green Button data one of the following ways:
From MyAccount:
First log in to MyAccount. Then:
- Click the Smart Meter Tab.
- Click Downloads.
- Select the Green Button.
- Follow the prompts to select the data you would like to download.
- Click Download.
- An XML file containing your selected data will be downloaded.
- This file can be shared with a third-party or uploaded to a Green Button app to view.
From the Milton Hydro Website:
- Go directly to the Green Button Portal.
- Enter your required account information to validate that you are the account owner (Note: You will need to have a recent bill handy).
- Select the Download My Data tab.
- Follow the prompts to select the data you would like to download.
- Click Download.
- An XML file containing your selected data will be downloaded.
- This file can be shared with a third-party or uploaded to a Green Button app to view.
How to use Green Button Connect My Data
Sharing your data starts on the third-party vendor’s website.
- Go to the authorized third-party vendor’s Green Button registration web page.
- Complete the third-party vendor data-sharing authorization request form.
- You will be redirected to Milton Hydro’s Green Button portal to authenticate, verify the data sharing information, review the terms and conditions, and authorize data sharing.
- Milton Hydro will then exchange a security token with the authorized third-party vendor which will allow secure, automated data sharing.
Are you a Third-Party Provider?
To connect with Milton Hydro customers through the Green Button program, follow the below registration link, agree to the online Terms and Conditions, and complete the
Green Button Third-Party Vendor application form.
A confirmation email will be sent to all successful registrants with information on when we will be deploying the Green Button program to our customer base.
Register Here
Green Button Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Green Button program all about?
Green Button is a data standard that provides energy customers with more choice in how you access your electricity and natural gas data.
With a simple and secure process, customers will be able to securely download (access) or connect (share) their energy usage data in an industry-standard format with registered third parties.
Watch this video to better understand the Green Button program. CLICK HERE
What is the benefit of the Green Button Program?
Green Button provides a unified, industry-standard data format, which can be used to analyze and manage a consumer’s energy usage. The introduction of Green Button industry-standard data across Ontario utilities will provide the foundation for the development of new tools and applications for customers to analyze and monitor their energy usage to reduce costs.
Below are just a few of the benefits of Green Button data:
- Improve energy efficiency – Consumers can use Green Button data to identify and compare their energy usage in order to improve energy-efficiency within their home or business.
- Reduce energy costs -By learning their usage patterns and habits, consumers can make informed choices about how much energy they use and when they use it. When consumers use energy during off-peak hours (also known as peak-shaving) and invest in energy-efficient appliances, it saves money and can help reduce strain on the grid.
- Energy conservation –consumers can use their data to conserve energy to help reduce their carbon footprint and protect the environment.
- Green button tools to understand large volumes of energy data will help pave the way for future innovations in the energy sector.
Green Button Data for Residential and Small Commercial Customers:
- Many customers are already viewing their energy data through a customer portal on their utility website. With Green Button, third party apps can analyze the data and provide insights to help customers make sense of their energy use and make informed decisions to help reduce costs.
- With CMD, data is shared on an ongoing basis. This allows third parties to provide insights and alerts on usage trends and changes.
Green Button Data for Businesses:
- For customers with a large number of properties across multiple utilities, Green Button provides a standardized format so that the data they receive from each utility is in a similar format. Green Button third parties in the commercial sector are able to analyze large volumes of data across multiple facilities to provide energy management advice.
- With CMD, data is shared on an ongoing basis. This allows third parties to provide insights and alerts on usage trends and changes including monitoring the impact of energy efficiency measures taken.
- Green Button will also make it easier for facilities to complete mandatory government reporting requirements.
What can I do with the data I download?
When you download your data, you can review it yourself, upload it to an application to analyze, or send it to a third-party vendor to analyze.
How can I access Green Button?
You can download your Green Button data one of the following ways:
From MyAccount:
Log in to MyAccount
- Click the Smart Meter Tab.
- Click Downloads.
- Select the Green Button.
- Follow the prompts to select the data you would like to download.
- Click Download.
- An XML file containing your selected data will be downloaded.
- This file can be shared with a third-party or uploaded to a Green Button app to view.
From the Milton Hydro Website:
- Go directly to the Green Button Portal .
- Enter your required account information to validate that you are the account owner (Note: You will need to have a recent bill handy).
- Select the Download My Data tab.
- Follow the prompts to select the data you would like to download.
- Click Download.
- An XML file containing your selected data will be downloaded.
- This file can be shared with a third-party or uploaded to a Green Button app to view.
How do I know that my data is secure?
Milton Hydro has been certified by the Green Button Alliance. This is the industry standard to ensure compliance with data sharing and security standards.
Third-party vendors must also be certified by the Green Button Alliance to be authorized as a registered vendor. Before you authorize a third-party vendor, be sure to carefully read the terms and conditions on their website so that you understand how they will use, share, or retain your data.
What format will my data be downloaded in?
When you download your data, it will be in an industry-standard XML format. Please note that XML files are designed to be read and analyzed by computer applications, not humans.
What data is shared with the authorized third-party vendor(s)?
When authorizing a third-party vendor to access your data, you will select the type of data you want to share with them and for which account (if you have multiple accounts).
You can select your Energy Usage Data, Billing Data and/or Account Information to be shared. Your utility provider will share the type of data you have selected and authorized for that account.
How do I find a third-party vendor to share my data with through Green Button?
Data can be shared with authorized third-party vendors that have registered with and been authorized by Milton Hydro to use Connect My Data.
Below is a list of third-party vendors currently registered with Milton Hydro:
- Currently, there are no third-party vendors registered with Milton Hydro. Customers will not be able to share their data with third-party vendors until Milton Hydro has registered a third-party vendor.
Who do I contact for help with using the Green Button program?
Our Customer Service team would be happy to speak with you about the Green Button program. They can be reached M-F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm at (905) 876-4611.
You can also contact the Ontario Energy Board at 1(877) 632-2727.
Can a vendor submit an authorization form on behalf of a customer to access their data?
Customers are required to make their own authorizations online through one of the authorization methods.
The customer must also authenticate with the utility before the security token can be exchanged with the utility and data can be shared.
How long does a third-party vendor have access to customer data?
The customer selects the duration for which the data will be shared with an authorized third-party vendor, along with the frequency that the data will be shared.
The customer can revoke access at any time.
Can I stop sharing my data with a third-party vendor?
Yes, you can stop sharing your data with a third-party vendor at any time.
To do so, simply go to the Data Shares tab within the Milton Hydro Green Button portal, select the vendor you would like to stop sharing your data with, and click Revoke.
How long will my data be shared with an authorized third-party vendor?
When authorizing a third-party vendor to access your data, you select the duration and frequency that you would like to share your data for.