A new report from BC Hydro shows that 33 per cent of pet owners use air conditioning in order to keep their pets cool.
That puts it in the top spot of ways pet owners beat the heat followed by 30 per cent who say they use a fan, and 12 per cent who give their pet a cool drink, out of the 800 British Columbians surveyed between June 10 to 13.
Of the pet owners who use AC, three-quarters say they leave the cooling on even when not home, sometimes all day, with two-thirds saying they do not mind if their electricity bill is higher in the summer if it means their pet is comfortable.
BC Hydro data shows that nearly 40 per cent of B.C. homes have AC, which is the biggest energy user in the summer. This is up from about 25 per cent of homes around 10 years ago.
If pet owners are looking for ways to keep their pets cool during the summer, BC Hydro recommends investing in a heat pump, but an Energy Star certified air conditioner, use a cooling mat for your pet to lie on, shade windows, or strategically use fans.
CHEK News
