Image Credit: CFJC Today

By James Peters

Crank up the heat

Amid cold snap, BC residents set record for electricity consumption

Jan 14, 2020 | 1:14 PM

KAMLOOPS — The cold snap gripping the province has led to a record amount of electricity use.

According to a news release from BC Hydro, Monday (Jan. 13) saw peak hourly demand of 10,302 megawatts.

That eclipses the previous peak hourly demand record of 10,194 megawatts, set Jan. 3, 2017.

The Crown utility says it is expecting more extremely high demand for power in the coming days, with cold temperatures still in the forecast.

BC Hydro notes electricity demand increases in the evenings as many people return home from work, “turn up the heat, switch on the lights, do laundry and make dinner.”

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The utility says a great way to reduce electricity consumption is by setting a programmable thermostat to keep temperatures low while you are away from home. Draftproofing around windows and doors can also reduce heat loss by as much as 10 per cent.