Extreme cold snap pushes BC to set new record for electricity use

It’s been an absolutely frigid few days around the province, and BC Hydro says we have broken a record for peak electricity demand.

According to BC Hydro, between 5 and 6 pm on Monday, December 27, demand for electricity hit an all-time high of 10,902 megawatts.

You might also like:
• More temperature records broken in BC as cold snap continues
• It's so cold in Alberta hot water freezes the moment it hits the air (VIDEOS)
• How to help hummingbirds during Vancouver's extreme cold weather

That’s higher than the previous record of 10,577 megawatts set in 2020.

“The record represents the hour when demand for electricity was the highest yesterday,” says Simi Heer, BC Hydro spokesperson. “Most of the increase is likely due to additional home heating required during this cold snap.”

In a release, the power authority says BC has seen an overall increase in electricity demand since Friday. 

The hourly peak demand was 18% higher compared to Friday, December 24.

“BC Hydro has enough supply options in place to meet increasing electricity demand,” adds Heer. “However, if British Columbians want to help ease some of the demand on the system during peak times, we encourage shifting activities like doing laundry or running dishwashers to earlier in the day or later in the evening.”

If you are looking to conserve energy and lower your usage – and bill – BC Hydro has some tips.

Manage your home heating actively by turning the heat down when no one is home or when everyone is sleeping. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures at different times based on your family’s activities. BC Hydro recommends the following temperatures:

•  16 degrees Celsius when sleeping or away from home
•  21 degrees Celsius when relaxing, watching TV
• 18 degrees Celsius when doing housework or cleaning

• Avoid cranking up the thermostat – it does not heat the home up faster than turning it up a degree or two at a time.
• Keep windows covered with blinds and drapes for an extra layer of window insulation. Window coverings can be a quick and cost-effective way to cut heat loss and block cold drafts.
• Draftproof your home to reduce heat loss. Use caulking and weather stripping to seal gaps and cracks around doors, windows, and outlets to prevent heat from leaking out and cold air from coming in.
• Use energy-efficient lighting and put timers on your outdoor lights, including holiday lights, so they do not remain on for the entire day.
• Try washing your clothes in cold water only or turning off the heat-dry function on your dishwasher.