• Feature Articles
  • Digital Issues
  • News
  • Events
  • Products
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Videos
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Skilled trades professionals prioritized via Canada’s Express Entry program
  • Enercare expands into B.C.
  • Centennial College debuts new zero carbon building
  • CABA changes its name to ASHB
  • Starting a business 101
  • Compressors and compression ratios
  • Heat pumps are the ideal system to retrofit central air conditioners, according to new report
  • Quiet condensing unit
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
Plumbing & HVAC
  • Feature Articles
  • Digital Issues
  • News
  • Events
  • Products
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Videos
Plumbing & HVAC
You are at:Home»News»Inefficient A/C use leading to higher costs: BC Hydro

Inefficient A/C use leading to higher costs: BC Hydro

0
By Plumbing & HVAC Staff on August 18, 2020 News

Vancouver, BC — With many people spending more time at home due to COVID-19 this summer, energy bills are going up, not only because of increased air conditioner use, but also because units are being used inefficiently, according to BC Hydro.

A new report found air conditioning use on the rise in the province, but many are using it inefficiently and adding multiple portable units, increasing their summer energy bills by over $200.

The report titled ‘Not-so well-conditioned: How inefficient A/C use is leaving British Columbians out of pocket in the cold’ found residential air conditioning use in the province has more than tripled to 34 per cent since 2001. The survey also found this upward trend will likely continue as 80 per cent of British Columbians are planning to spend more time at home this summer.

About 20 per cent of British Columbians without air conditioning are considering purchasing an air conditioning unit this summer, and nearly 15 per cent of those with air conditioning are considering buying an additional unit or upgrading their current unit.

In addition, about two-thirds of those surveyed said that the variety of air conditioners available today — at a range of prices and sizes — have made them more accessible. Because they are more accessible, nearly 30 per cent of British Columbians with a portable air conditioner have more than one in their home.

While those living in the Southern Interior are using air conditioning the most, it is steadily increasing across the province — especially with more people living in condos, which tend to get hotter. With the increase in air conditioning use across the province, the survey also found most are using it inefficiently, leading to higher costs. For example, about 90 per cent are setting their air conditioning lower than the 25 degrees Celsius recommended by BC Hydro, and 30 per cent are using multiple portable units — generally the most inefficient type on the market.

(Image: BC Hydro)

BC Hydro recommends British Columbians take the following measures to save energy and money on air conditioning and keep cool at home:

  • Optimizing temperature: Cool homes to 25 degrees Celsius in the summer months when occupied, and the air conditioning should be turned off when unoccupied.
  • Cooling down with a fan: Running a fan nine hours a day over the summer costs just $7.
  • Closing the drapes and blinds: Shading windows can block out up to 65 per cent of the heat.
  • Shutting doors and windows: If the temperature outside is warmer than inside, keep doors and windows closed to keep the cooler air in and the warm air out.
  • Limiting the use of large appliances: Use a microwave, crockpot or toaster oven to avoid the extra heat produced by larger appliances when preparing meals and hang clothes to dry instead of using a dryer on hot days.

 

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleToronto needs to improve sewage and stormwater systems, says industry leaders
Next Article Canadian government provides update to COVID-19 relief subsidy

Related Posts

Skilled trades professionals prioritized via Canada’s Express Entry program

Enercare expands into B.C.

Centennial College debuts new zero carbon building

Comments are closed.

TWITTER
Tweets by Plumbing_HVAC_
About
About

Plumbing & HVAC

Canada's largest and most qualified circulation to the mechanical trades.

Subscribe Now!

Recent Posts
September 22, 2023

Skilled trades professionals prioritized via Canada’s Express Entry program

September 21, 2023

Enercare expands into B.C.

September 20, 2023

Centennial College debuts new zero carbon building

Pages
  • Advertise
  • eNewsletter
  • Feature Articles
  • Get in Touch
  • News
  • Products
  • slider test
  • Subscribe
  • Videos
Copyright © 2021 Plumbing & HVAC all rights reserved | Designed and Developed by Upnorthwebs

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.