Unseasonably hot weather in early May has pushed British Columbians’ electricity demands to about 7,600 megawatts.
BC Hydro, in a news release Tuesday (May 5), says that’s the highest level ever seen in May, especially this early in the month. Electricity demand is expected to stay above average until temperatures cool on Wednesday.
Peak hourly demand – the single hour each day when customers use the most electricity – was expected to have peaked on Monday. Nineteen daily temperature highs were broken across the province on Monday.
BC Hydro says British Columbians have turned to air conditioners and fans over the past few days to stay comfortable amid the unusually hot weather.
Despite the early season surge, BC Hydro says the overall electricity use “remains well below the peak levels typically seen during the coldest winter periods.”
However, the news release adds that BC Hydro’s clean electricity system is fully equipped to meet the increased demand.
About 70 per cent of households in B.C. now have some form of air conditioning, BC Hydro says, “reflecting a sharp increase in recent years as summers become hotter.” More people are also using air purifiers and other devices to improve indoor air quality during wildfires.
BC Hydro says it’s offering limited-time rebates on energy‑efficient cooling and air‑quality equipment from May 1 to Aug. 21.
Customers can receive savings of $50 off select Energy Star window air conditioners and high-efficiency portable units, $30 off select Energy Star air purifiers and $10 off select WaterSense certified showerheads. For air conditioners, in-store rebates are available at Best Buy, Costco, London Drugs, RONA, The Home Depot and Visions Electronics.