Power-draining Halloween mega displays on the rise, BC Hydro says

Halloween is catching up to Christmas when it comes to huge displays of lights and inflatables.

BC Hydro says Halloween ‘mega displays’ have become much more common in recent years and many are draining the provincial electricity load.

A survey finds almost a quarter of British Columbians now decorate about the same amount for both Halloween and Christmas and almost 10 per cent are decorating more for Oct. 31.

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“Much like during the holidays, about a quarter will be using electronic Halloween decorations this year, including outdoor lights (13 per cent), electronic jack-o-lanterns (13 per cent) and plug-in inflatables (five per cent). Of those using electronic decorations, 20 per cent will use multiple plug-ins, which could add to electricity costs,” BC Hydro said. 

Some Halloween stores are even selling decorations for hundreds of dollars, further adding to the wallet drain.

The utility company says holiday displays now account for about three per cent of the provincial electricity load during the holidays, with Halloween set to catch up if current trends continue.

BC Hydro says the other issue is that 22 per cent of the lights are older, inefficient incandescent bulbs, instead of LEDs, which last ten times longer.

Another cost-saving tip is to plug lights into timers so they aren’t on all night long, BC Hydro suggests.