B.C. Hydro braces for energy spike over the holidays
Most British Columbians plan to resume the seasonal celebrations this year such as cooking a feast or stringing up lights after last year's subdued pandemic, according to a new survey.
As such, B.C. Hydro is expecting a spike in energy use over the December holidays as families and friends resume festivities following COVID -19 stay-at-home measures last year.
The survey, conducted on behalf of B.C. Hydro, finds most (97 per cent) of British Columbians will be making up for lost time by hosting more dinners and gatherings over the holidays.
Last year, more than half (54 per cent) of those surveyed didn't cook a big holiday meal at home. The agency's data shows the province's overall residential electricity load dropped on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2020. On Christmas Day night the load dropped by over
four per cent and seven per sent on Boxing Day, according to a B.C. Hydro report Friday.
However, this year's survey shows that 37 per cent of B.C. respondents said they'll be hosting more gatherings and 43 per cent will be attending more, given the higher COVID vaccination rate and fewer restrictions.
Forty-four per cent plan on cooking a big holiday meal and more than half (51 per cent) plan on putting up lights, which could mean higher electricity use, according to B.C. Hydro.
The online survey for B.C. Hydro was conducted by Majid Khoury from Nov. 19-21, and carries a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.46 per cent.
In the report Friday, B.C. Hydro offers residents some tips on how to save energy this season:
■ Cook for conservation: If you're cooking a big holiday meal, use a microwave, toaster oven or instant pot whenever possible.
■ Use star power: Appliances can account for up to 20 per cent of a household's electricity use. Using ENERGY STAR-certified appliances can help customers save on their holiday energy bills.
■ Switch to LEDs: Save about $40 over the holiday season by switching eight strands of incandescent lights to energy efficient LEDs. LED holiday lights also last 10 times longer and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours.
■ Plug decorations into timers or use smart plugs to manage electricity use: Reduce electricity costs by only having lights on when needed.
■ Give the gift of two-in-one heating and cooling.