After 2021’s scorching summer season warmth, BC Hydro recommends transferring away from power-sucking AC models.
BC Hydro is working to handle issues British Columbians have over hotter summers and local weather change with residence enchancment solutions.
“Spring is the beginning of renovation season in B.C., however the excessive climate skilled throughout the province lately has many contemplating making residence enhancements that can higher put together them to courageous an more and more unpredictable local weather — particularly the summer season warmth,” mentioned a report launched by the provincial utility Friday.
Certainly, final yr, the highest ever summer season peak hourly electrical energy demand was recorded on June 28, when it reached 8,568 megawatts, the equal of turning on 600,000 moveable air conditioners. The brand new excessive shattered the report set earlier than the warmth wave started by greater than 600 megawatts.
BC Hydro is suggesting transferring away from power-sucking air con models and transferring to warmth pumps — an alternate it calls a greater answer for the surroundings and electrical energy invoice.
The report mentioned realities of local weather change are hitting residence with 69 per cent of British Columbians involved concerning the impacts of local weather change on their residence as one other doubtlessly scorching summer season looms.
“That is seemingly why many (21 per cent) are taking over residence enchancment tasks particularly to organize for extra excessive temperatures,” the report mentioned.
“With nearly 90 per cent of British Columbians immediately impacted by final yr’s excessive summer season temperatures, it’s no shock that AC use is on the rise,” BC Hydro spokesperson Kevin Aquino mentioned in an announcement.
“BC Hydro information reveals AC use has elevated by about 50 per cent over the previous decade from 1 / 4 of British Columbians utilizing it at residence to just about 40 per cent and new analysis means that determine could possibly be even greater,” he mentioned.
In September, BC Hydro reported that, after a summer season of unprecedented warmth and record-breaking demand for electrical energy, British Columbians have been contemplating air con a necessity — not a luxurious.
Whereas the demand for air con in B.C. has elevated from 25 per cent to just about 40 per cent within the final decade, a research launched by BC Hydro in September 2021 discovered that greater than 20 per cent of British Columbians bought or upgraded their air con models and programs final summer season, bringing the full quantity with AC even greater.
“This yr (2022), 1 / 4 of British Columbians wish to set up central AC,” the utility mentioned.
It doesn’t should be that approach, BC Hydro mentioned, noting a brand new survey signifies 16 per cent of B.C. residents mentioned they aren’t conscious {that a} warmth pump can be utilized to chill within the hotter months.
BC Hydro famous these not making the change are lacking out on substantial rebates.
The utility affords as much as $3,000 in rebates for switching from a fossil fuel-based system; it may be mixed with provincial and federal rebates for a complete financial savings of as much as $11,000 on value and set up with some municipalities including extra rebates on high of that.
As much as $2,000 in rebates can be found for purchasers switching from electrical baseboard heating.