While much of B.C. has so far escaped the chilly bite of Old Man Winter, temperatures have been steadily dropping. With the onset of colder weather, BC Hydro is encouraging customers to conserve power by doubling the reward to $100 for its Team Power Smart Reduction Challenge.
The challenge gives people a chance to save money in two ways. Not only does reduced consumption mean a lower bill; it also gives Team Power Smart members a chance to earn a reward of up to $100 by consistently reducing their consumption. More than 100,000 British Columbians have successfully completed the challenge to date.
“We see the biggest demand for power in the colder, darker months when customers turn up their heating and use lighting and appliances more often, which translates into higher bills for our customers at this time of year,” says Mora Scott, BC Hydro spokesperson.
“To help kick start new habits and help our customers save energy and money, we are increasing our Team Power Smart Reduction Challenge reward for a limited time from $50 to $100 for customers who successfully reduce their electricity use by 10 per cent over the course of a year.”
Participating in the challenge is easy. All you have to do is log in to your online account, join Team Power Smart, and start a reduction challenge by Jan. 31, 2024. If, after 365 days, you are successful in reducing your household’s electricity consumption by 10 per cent, you will earn a $100 reward. The challenge is open to all residential customers who have at least 12 months of electricity consumption history at their current residence.
BC Hydro has tools to help customers manage their energy use and save money on their electricity bills. Team Power Smart challengers will receive monthly updates on how the challenge is progressing, as well as energy saving tips and advice to help customers reach their goals. Participants also have access to member-exclusive events, contests, and deals.
Here are a few low- and no-cost ways to help you get to that 10 per cent reduction this year:
Monitor heating: Heating is the biggest use of energy in B.C. homes during the fall and winter months. Heating costs rise about five per cent for every degree above 20 C. that you set the thermostat at. Keeping the temperature at 16 C. when you are away from home (or while you’re sleeping), 18 C. when you’re doing housework, and 21 C. when you’re relaxing can help avoid wasted heat (and higher costs).
Invest in a smart thermostat: A smart thermostat will automatically adjust the temperature, depending on time of day and your home’s activity. Using it to control electric space heating can help reduce electricity used for heating by nearly 10 per cent.
Heat in zones: Only turn on baseboard heaters in rooms that are occupied. Close doors to bedrooms and offices when baseboard heaters are turned on, in order to keep the heat in.
Seal gaps and cracks: One of the simplest, lowest-cost ways to improve the efficiency of your home is by applying draftproofing around windows and doors to keep the cold air out, and warm air in. Draftproofing can reduce heat loss by up to 10 per cent. Not sure where you need to draftproof? Borrow a thermal imaging camera (for free) from any Thompson-Nicola Regional Library branch to help guide you.
Watch the water: Showers can be the largest single contributor to a home’s hot water use, accounting for up to 15 per cent of a household’s total electricity use. Low-flow shower heads could cut a shower’s energy costs by more than half.
Change up your laundry routine: Around 80 per cent of a clothes washer’s energy use goes towards heating the water. Washing clothes in cold water is a simple way to reduce a washing machine’s energy use. Using a clothesline or drying rack for wet laundry — when you can — is another simple way to reduce energy use: clothes dryers use up to 12 per cent of a household’s total energy.
Join the thousands of British Columbians who have successfully completed a Team Power Smart Reduction Challenge and sign up today at www.bchydro.com/jointheteam.
