Skip to content

Info Bulletin

This news release was posted more than two years ago. View our latest news releases here.

Six ways to stay cool that will save you energy and money

Woman controlling a fan with a switch
Install a ceiling fan if you have no other low-cost options to cool your home. It can use a tenth of the energy of an air conditioner.

No- and low-cost options for keeping your home cool in the summer heat

VANCOUVER — With record-breaking high temperatures around the province this week, BC Hydro is reminding customers how to stay cool and save power during this summer's first heat wave.

  • Keep cool air in, and hot air out: lock out hot air during the day and open windows to let cooler air in during the evenings.
  • Keep the blinds down: shade your windows and block up to 65 per cent of the heat.
  • Use a ceiling fan: ceiling fans are the most efficient option for cooling. A ceiling fan can use one-tenth the energy of an air conditioner and is a great alternative. To lower indoor temperatures by up to ten per cent, ensure the fan is rotating counter-clockwise.
  • Make laundry a breeze: hang dry half of your laundry to save up to $50 while keeping unnecessary heat out of your house.
  • Fire up the barbeque: cook outside to reduce the use of your stove or oven.
  • Keep your cool: Take shorter, cooler showers. Reduce your shower time by one minute and save $15 per person. That's $60 for a family of four.

BC Hydro encourages customers to create an online account, called MyHydro, to track their electricity consumption and manage their accounts. For more information, visit bchydro.com/myhydro.

For more information:

BC Hydro Media Relations
p. 604 928 6468