Improper air conditioning use costing British Columbians hundreds more this summer

Improper air conditioning use costing British Columbians hundreds more this summer
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Improper air conditioning use costing British Columbians hundreds more this summer, says BC Hydro.

Inefficient air conditioning use is costing some British Columbians more than $200 extra this summer.

The estimates come from BC Hydro, which conducted a survey and found that with an increased number of British Columbians staying home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are switching on the air conditioning.

“Ninety 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 and those are the most inefficient and costly type on the market,” says BC Hydro’s Susie Rieder.

“We actually found that 10 per cent of those who live in the Lower Mainland have at least three of these portable units . . . likely because many older buildings, especially in the Lower Mainland, may not have air conditioning, and these are the most accessible units to purchase,” adds Rieder.

According to the utility provider, air conditioning use in B.C. has more than tripled since 2001.

The rise in the use of air conditioning units is being attributed to a number of factors, including climate change, Rieder says, noting newer units are being built to be more efficient and lower costs, “that make it seem more accessible.”

With more people looking to cool down during the mini-heatwaves, Rieder says there are some things you can do to save a few dollars.

“If your A/C has a thermostat, keep it at 25 degrees Celsius in the summer months when occupied. So when you’re at home . . .  turn it off when you leave the house. Also, opting for a window unit instead of a portable A/C,” she explains, adding. “If you don’t have the option to get a heat pump, try a window unit because they’re twice as efficient as a portable unit if you use an Energy Star model.”

And there’s the other option of just using a fan.

“It’s actually very inexpensive over the summer months. It costs about $7 to run a fan for those three months compared to around $300 to run a central air conditioner,” Rieder says.

Closing windows and doors is also something you can do if it’s warmer outside than it is inside, as well as limiting the use of large appliances, and hanging your clothes to dry.

Graham CoxGraham Cox

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