The month-long cold snap across B.C. has set a new record for power consumption, BC Hydro said Wednesday.
The province hit 10,126 megawatts between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Jan. 3, breaking the utility’s previous record of 10,113 megawatts between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Nov. 29, 2006.
While negative double-digit temperatures are common across most of the Interior and northern B.C., the now month-long Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley cold snap has had residents reaching for their extra blankets and space heaters.
BC Hydro is expecting demand between 9,800 and 10,200 megawatts to remain constant as long as temperatures remain below normal.
Residential energy consumption typically increases 88 per cent on average during the winter months, Hydro says. It recommends lowering your thermostat, unplugging unused electronics and doing laundry in cold water to save on your power bill.
