So long 2020, and good riddance. As winter sets in, we get power smart in a big way, from a Vancouver townhome where a better baseboard heating strategy is adding up to comfort and lower bills, to a peek at 2020's best smart home products, including an LED ceiling light that boasts a premium JBL speaker with Amazon Alexa built in. Also, as new electronics arrive in your home, you have the option to either recycle or donate the old stuff, and we dive into the science of geomagnetic storms and how BC Hydro reduces the risk of electrical system damage when 'space storms' hit us hard.
Renters in a Vancouver home used 10 times as much power in March as they did in August. The owners are back in their home, and on track to reduce those bills by hundreds of dollars per year while staying comfortable.
Combined with small appliances, electronics now account for about 20% of home electricity use. Insights and some energy-saving tips on how to use devices wisely. Learn more
If every B.C. student reduced their energy use by just 1 kWh per day during the winter, the savings would be enough to power 4,581 B.C. homes. Learn more
You'll get a small one-time bill credit early in 2021 as a result of an additional 0.61 per cent rate decrease that is effective retroactively to April 1, 2020. Learn more
We can help you with winter bills
To help stay on top of your electricity use this winter, learn about common reasons for increased usage, and our tips to manage it.
Join Team Power Smart. Enter to win.
It's free to join, and once you're aboard, you can enter to win monthly contests, including January's chance to win a $150 Best Buy gift card.