More and more British Columbians are using AC: BC Hydro

BC Hydro says the use of air conditioners has jumped dramatically in recent years. More than 40 per cent of customers now have AC in their home, that’s up from 25 per cent ten years ago.

Last year, 63 per cent of AC owners used their units for five hours or more per day. The worst day for energy consumption was June 28, during the heat dome, when temperatures spiked above 40 degrees celcius.

“Last summer BC Hydro experienced 19 of its top 25 all-time summer daily peak hours for system load. This includes breaking its all-time summer peak hourly demand record on June 28, 2021 when demand reached 8,568 megawatts, shattering the previous record by more than 600 megawatts—the equivalent of turning on 600,000 portable air conditioners,” BC Hydro said.

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Most homeowners who installed new units or upgraded old ones say they did it because of the ongoing impacts from climate change.

“While most said they are prepared for high heat this year, 59 per cent said they are anxious about the potential for more heatwaves,” BC Hydro said.

Not surprisingly, the demand on the electrical grid has done up too and BC Hydro expects that will continue as we get into summer.

BC Hydro recommends looking into a heat pump system, compared to a system powered by gas. BC Hydro does have a $3,000 rebate for those who are switching from fossil fuel based system and combined with the provincial rebates some homeowners may see up to $11,000.

A recent BC Coroners report into last year’s heat dome included promises of more financial help for homeowners when it comes to cooling systems like air conditioners.

“By summer 2023, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy will ensure the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program includes both passive and active cooling measures as eligible for rebates. Rebate priorities should be focused on census areas identified in the lower  quintiles of material deprivation index and targeted to low income households and the least energy efficient residential building stock,” the report said.