Cold and snowy weather is the forecast for B.C. this week, and that means challenges from a power perspective for BC Hydro.
If there's a power outage, have a plan and an emergency kit ready so you're not shivering in the cold, and you can help conserve energy and stay warm, especially when the power demand peaks at suppertime.
BC Hydro recommends everyone be prepared for an outage, especially during cold weather. Outages happen more frequently when heavy snow accumulates causing tree branch breakage -more common here in B.C. because there is three times the number of trees per km of power line compared to any other utility in North America. Some helpful tips:
Have an emergency kit on hand with flashlights, a battery operated radio, warm clothing and blankets, and a corded telephone.
To report an outage call 1-888-POWERON or *HYDRO on your mobile phone.
On the night of Jan. 16, the hourly peak demand across B.C. -9,526 megawatts - was recorded between 5 and 6 p.m., representing an increase of more than 1,059 megawatts over the peak a week earlier.
BCHydro has systems in place to meet this unusually high electricity demand, but with a few simple measures, everyone can contribute to lessening the pressure on the electrical grid while still staying warm and safe.
Timing is everything: Use energy-intensive householdappliances -such as clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers and portable space heaters - outside of the peak hours of 4 to 8 p.m. If you must use them, try to only use one at a time.
Portable space heaters and safety: Portable space heaters can be effective to take the chill out of a small room or to heat a small area, but are not efficient to heat large spaces or multiple rooms. Place it on a hard surface like concrete or ceramic tile floor; keep the heater away from bedding, drapes, furniture, books, and newspapers; don't leave the house with the space heater on or go to sleep with the space heater left on.
Keep the cold out and the heat in: Keep windows covered with closedblinds and drapesfor an extra layer of window insulation. Window coverings can be a quick and cost-effective way to cut heat loss and block cold drafts. Easy-to-install window film provides an additional pane to keep heat in.
Put your lights on timers: Put all outdoor lighting on a timer, or install a motion sensor for security lighting.
Install a programmable thermostat: Set the thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures at different times based on your family's activities, ensuring electricity is not wasted when no one is home and the temperature is turned down when everyone is sleeping.
Draft proof your home: One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to reduce heat loss is to prevent heat from leaking out and cold air from coming in. Use caulking and weather stripping to seal gaps and cracks around doors, windows and outlets.
Switch it up; do things differently: Changing behavior saves energy, including:washing clothes in cold water;turning off the dishwasher's heated-dry option; takingshorter showersandturning off lightsand unplugging small appliances andelectronicswhen they are not in use.
Choose inexpensive, energy smart lighting: Use energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or Light-Emitting Diode bulbs (LEDs) as they consume 75 per cent less electricity than incandescent bulbs.
For more information, visit www.bchydro.com/powersmart.
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