FortisBC says that while they didn't quite break any power consumption records this week, the utility came very close.
"While we didn’t hit a record, we sure hit a spike," says FortisBC spokesperson Nicole Brown.
The heatwave across across the province this week has brought record-breaking temperatures, particularly in the Southern Interior, with temperatures reaching over 40 C in some regions.
During that time period, FortisBC's electricity system experienced its highest energy load of 714 megawatts on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. By comparison, that was 280 MW higher than an average summer day.
Brown says electricity demand on July 1, 2024 was 434 MW and the summer record for FortisBC occurred during the 2021 heat dome, at 764 MW on June 29, 2021.
Brown says the safety of the public is a top priority for FortisBC and while reducing energy consumption leads to lower bills, "it’s important to turn on your air conditioning or find an air-conditioned space during periods of extreme heat."
Environment Canada forecasts the hot temperatures to continue into the weekend and next week.
"We anticipate continued high loads on our system and want to remind customers they can stay safe, using less energy."
- Aim to be comfortable, not chilly. The recommended temperature is between 25 and 27°C.
- Draft proof around windows, doors and other openings to minimize conditioned air escaping from your home.
- Set your cooling system’s thermostat two degrees higher than usual and use ceiling fans to circulate the cool air. This can reduce your air conditioning costs by 14 per cent.
- Combine air conditioners with a portable fan to maximize their cooling power and reduce the energy used. Do not use a fan alone if the temperature in your home is 35°C or higher.
- Cool only the rooms that you’re using.
- Close blinds and windows during the day to minimize solar heat gain. Open them when the outside temperature cools to help air out your home.
- Plan meals that don’t heat up the kitchen—opt to barbecue outside or explore no-cook recipes that don’t require using the stove or oven.
- Customers with incomes under specific thresholds can order a free Energy Saving Kit, which has materials to help keep conditioned air inside their home. They can also get hands-on-help installing similar products through the Energy Conservation Assistance Program.
For more information on how to help avoid climbing energy bills during a heat wave click here.
