Temperatures have spiked this week and so too has the amount of electricity used for British Columbians to keep cool.

On Monday (May 17), BC Hydro customers broke a May record for peak hourly use of power, the Crown corporation announced Tuesday.

Preliminary analysis found consumption reached nearly 7,600 megawatts as British Columbians turned to air conditioning and fans in an effort to beat the heat.

While the demand for power is expected to remain higher-than-average until temperatures begin to decrease mid-next week, it will only be about two-thirds of what is typically recorded on the coldest days of the year, BC Hydro said.

Amid the heat, the corporation has shared a number of tips to keep cool and be power-conscious:

鈥� Closing the drapes and blinds: Shading windows can block out up to 65 per cent of the heat.

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鈥� 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.

鈥� Using a fan: Running a fan nine hours a day over the summer costs just $7.

鈥� Cooling with a heat pump: It is more energy efficient than using multiple portable AC units, and eligible for provincial and federal rebates.

鈥� Going ductless: If a central heat pump system is not an option for your home, ductless heat pump units are a great option while offering the same benefits of a central system.

鈥� Ensure air conditioners are 鈥渆nergy star鈥� certified: This means they use about 30-to-40 per cent less power than standard units.

ashley.wadhwani@blackpress.ca
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