British Columbians’ routines still impacted by pandemic: Report
Posted March 13, 2023 1:32 pm.
Last Updated March 13, 2023 1:36 pm.
Over three years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, it seems that British Columbians are still sleeping in more, showering less, and cooking at home, according to a new report from BC Hydro.
The utility explains that there seems to have been a permanent change in the daily routines and habits of people in the province due to the pandemic, with 70 per cent of respondents reporting their routine still remains changed compared to before the pandemic.
“The changes to British Columbians’ daily habits has resulted in weekday electricity use peaking slightly later in the morning and earlier in the evening, much like it did in the first months of the pandemic,” the report says.
It says the change is due to “societal changes,” like working remotely, adding that many are still working from home at least one day a week.
“Without the commute from the office to home, we are seeing more British Columbians starting their chores such as cooking or doing laundry earlier in the evening rather than later,” Kevin Aquino, a spokesperson with BC Hydro told CityNews.
“Data still shows a slight shift in how and when British Columbians are using electricity, and with more than 70 per cent of British Columbians still living very different routines from pre-pandemic, weekday electricity uses is peaking later in the morning and earlier in the evening.”
Just over half, 51 per cent of people, reported that their work routine has changed.
“This might be why some are still sleeping in (26 per cent) and going to bed later (19 per cent) on weekdays. In fact, working from home and not having a commute is the main reason nearly half said they are sleeping in more on weekdays. And with less office time, some are grooming less – 15 per cent said they are showering less often in the morning and for shorter periods of time than they used to on pre-pandemic weekdays,” the report reads.
People also appear to be making use of more time spent at home to keep things tidy. Seventy per cent of people working at home say they are doing chores on weekdays — with 48 per cent citing laundry and 44 per cent doing their dishes.
Eating, TV watching, and sleeping changes
In September 2020, respondents reported increases in things like sleeping in on weekdays, making coffee at home, and showering less and those trends appear to have continued years later.
BC Hydro says that “many habits permanently shifted because of a life-changing pandemic,” and a chart comparing habits then vs. now highlights some of the changes.
In September 2020, 12 per cent of people reported that they were sleeping in more on weekdays, in February 2023 that number jumped up to 26 per cent — a 14 percentage point increase.
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Similarly, 20 per cent reported they were making coffee at home, compared with 34 per cent — a 14 percentage point increase.
Respondents also reported showering less, with 14 per cent in September of that year compared with 15 per cent — a one per cent increase.
It seems that the popularity of watching and streaming has also continued to grow, as the initial report of 29 per cent has nearly doubled, and is up to 56 per cent.
The amount of take-out has stayed the same, with both numbers sitting at 27 per cent.
For people looking to cut back on their energy bills, Aquino says the utility has some recommendations.
“If you are working from home we do encourage using some of the energy-saving features on office equipment. So, energy-saving modes on devices and equipment typically use around 70 per cent less energy,” he said.
Although the release notes that residential electricity use is normal for this time of the year, BC Hydro says the overall peak times are different.
-With files from Mike Gazzola
