BC Hydro offering doubled rebate for Reduction Challenge

The deadline to double a BC Hydro Rebate for reducing electricity use is approaching.

BC Hydro customers can join team “Power Smart” and start a “Reduction Challenge“, committing to reduce household electricity use by ten per cent.

If successful in meeting the goal, customers will earn a $50 rebate from BC Hydro.

In addition, customers who sign up for the Reduction Challenge before January 31st will be eligible for a doubled reward of $100.

“We see our biggest demand for power in the colder, darker months, and heating can account for up to 50 per cent of a BC Hydro bill in the Winter,” said BC Hydro spokesperson Susie Rieder.

On January 12th, BC Hydro saw record-high levels of demand as temperatures plummeted in our province.

In addition to committing to the reduction challenge, BC Hydro said there are other ways to save energy during the Winter:

• Monitoring heating: Keeping the temperature at 16 degrees when away from home and sleeping, 18 degrees when doing housework, and 21 when relaxing can help avoid wasted heat (and higher costs).
• Draftproofing to reduce heat loss: Use caulking and weather stripping to seal gaps and cracks around doors, windows and outlets at home to prevent head from leaking out and cold air from coming in.
• Heating in zones: Only turn on baseboard heaters in rooms that are occupied, close doors to bedrooms and offices when baseboard heaters are turned on to keep the heat in.
• Leaving incandescent bulbs: LED bulbs use at least 75 per cent less energy than incandescent lighting and can last up to 25 times longer.
• Using timers: Reduce electricity costs by only having lights on when needed.