Sub-zero temperatures across the province have kept furnaces and other heating devices humming at record levels.
According to BC Hydro, the utility set a new record for the highest peak hourly demand for electricity on Monday.
Consumption reached 10,203 megawatts, beating the previous record set Jan. 3, 2017, of 10,194 megawatts.
Hydro expects power demand to remain high, with forecasts of more snow and below-freezing temperatures through the week.
The highest demand for electricity is on weekday evenings when people return home, turn up the heat, switch on lights, make dinner and do other household activities.
BC Hydro reminds customers there are ways to reduce electricity use during the winter, thus cutting down on your electricity bill. These include:
- Setting thermostat at an ideal temperature based on time of day can help reduce wasted electricity:
- 16 C when sleeping or away from home
- 21 C when relaxing, watching TV
- 18 C when doing housework or cleaning
- Avoid cranking up the thermostat – cranking up the thermostat does not heat the home up faster than turning it up a degree or two at a time.
- Draftproofing around windows and doors to reduce heat loss by 10 per cent.
