Airconditioning costing British Columbians more: BC Hydro report

VANCOUVER— A new BC Hydro report finds that air-conditioning use in on the rise but that many British Columbians may be using it inefficiently, leading to higher energy bills, sometimes by over $200.

The report, Not so well-conditioned: How inefficient A/C use is leaving British Columbians out of pocket in the cold, found that residential air-conditioning use has tripled to 34 per cent since 2001. According to another study conducted on behalf of BC Hydro, that upward trend will most likely continue as more British Columbians plan to spend more time at home this summer, as a result of COVID-19.

“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.”—Release by BC Hydro

With the increase in use of A/C’s across the province the survey also found that most people are using them 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,” reads the release.