BC Hydro says most British Columbians care about conserving energy, but many are not taking action or assume it is harder than it actually is.
BC Hydro spokesperson Susie Rieder says energy consumption typically rises as temperatures decrease.
“Heating is the biggest use of energy in the fall and winter months. Heating costs go up about five per cent for every degree above 20 degrees Celsius,” explained Rieder.
You can save on heating costs by adjusting the thermostat throughout the day.
“Keeping the temperature at 16 degrees when you’re away from home or sleeping, 18 degrees when you’re doing housework and 21 degrees when you’re relaxing can avoid wasted heat and higher costs,” said Rieder.
“You can also invest in a smart thermostat that will automatically adjust the temperature depending on the time of day and your home’s activity.”
According to BC Hydro’s End Use Survey, 70 per cent of its customers actively think about saving energy, and about 59 per cent report feeling guilty if they do not make efforts to conserve electricity.
“There is a misconception that saving energy can be difficult, especially during the winter months when we turn up the heating and use lighting and appliances more often,” said Rieder.
“Saving electricity does not have to mean making sacrifices, it just takes a bit of planning, and BC Hydro has tools and incentives to help.”
BC Hydro’s free Team Power Smart Challenge is a way the company incentivizes customers to reduce energy consumption.
“We have upped the challenge reward from $50 to $100. You can sign up and pledge to reduce your energy consumption by 10 per cent over the course of a year,” said Rieder.
“If you meet that challenge, you’ll get the $100 reward. We’ve had 72,000 British Columbians who have received that $100 reward last year.”
In addition to smart thermostats and draft protection, there are a number of other energy and heat-saving tips from BC Hydro:
- Heat in zones – If you use baseboard heaters, only turn them on in occupied rooms and keep doors closed to keep the heat in.
- Watch your water use – Low-flow shower heads can cut down on energy costs. BC Hydro officials say showers can be the largest contributor to household hot water use, taking up to 15 per cent of a home’s total electricity use.
- Change your laundry routine – BC Hydro says about 80 per cent of a clothes washer’s energy is used to heat up the water, so washing your clothes in cold water can easily cut down on energy consumption.
- Use tools – BC Hydro’s electricity tracking tools can help you see when energy consumption is at its highest and lowest, allowing you to see where you can make adjustments.
“We found there’s an increase in the amount of people who think energy saving can be challenging – about 44 per cent of people believe saving electricity can take a lot of effort,” said Rieder.
“With our tools, tips and tricks, we try to make it easier for customers.”
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