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Save energy; save money

Electricity costs rising, but consumers have options

On May 1, the price of electricity went up 8.25 per cent in B.C., representing the first increase in a series of increases forecast over the next four years.

As consumers, British Columbians are not helpless. There are numerous steps that people can take right now to reduce their energy consumption and cut their electricity costs.

According to Ted Battiston, manager of community energy and emission reductions at the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the average single family or duplex home in Whistler uses 26,500 kWh per year. At 2011 rates, the average owner will pay just over $2,000 per year.

Space heating is a significant part of that cost, roughly $775 for the average home. If you have a hot tub it could cost you $500 per year.

If you have electric baseboard heaters and a hot tub, you'll spend 36.2 per cent on heating, 25.8 per cent on the hot tub. Hot water is around 10.9 per cent of the total (about $220 a year on average) and lighting is six per cent (roughly $120 per year). We also use significant amounts for cooking, for the washer and dryer, for electronics, for ventilation, etc.

While it's a good idea to cut your energy use across the board, "heating is a key opportunity area," said Battiston. "According to the 2007 Conservation Potential Review (commissioned by BC Hydro), the biggest reductions that are 'economic' come from space heating, but other easy wins can be found in lighting and household electronics."

So where should you invest your money if you want to cut your electricity bill?

Inexpensive programmable thermostats can cut your space heating costs by around six per cent ($120 per year for an average home). Air leakage sealing - weather stripping and insulation for windows and doors - can save you around 10 per cent ($200 on average). Increasing your attic insulation to R40 will save you about five per cent ($100 or more if your current insulation is rated low). An air-source heat pump, which is an option for people that already have furnaces and heat ducts, can save you 40 to 45 per cent ($800).

Domestic hot water is a fairly big expense. Switching to low-flow showers and faucets could immediately save around 10 to 12 per cent of those costs (depending on usage). Turning off a hot tub could immediately cut your electricity bill by 25 per cent.

Aside from retrofits, Battiston said the easiest reduction in electricity costs is behavioural. "Turning off lights when you leave a room costs nothing," said Battiston. "It's odd that people would never leave a room with the water still running, but they often leave rooms with the lights on."

Battiston also recommends signing up for Team Power Smart on the BC Hydro's website. The site provides access to rebate programs, tips for conserving energy, and will graph and analyze your total consumption - which will allow you to see how much electricity you're using and to measure the impact of any changes you make to conserve power.

The Resort Municipality of Whistler is also putting together a list of online resources for businesses and homeowners, which will be available in the fall.

The May 1 increase saw the cost of energy go up 8.25 per cent for British Columbians with residential accounts, raising the basic charge from 13.41 cents a day to 14.48 cents, the Step 1 rate from 6.27 cents per kilowatt to 6.67 cents for the first 675 kWh per month, and the Step 2 rate from 8.78 cents per kWh to 9.62 cents for every additional kWh.

On average, British Columbians will see their bills increase $5 to $6 per month, or $10 to $12 on their bi-monthly bill. Whistler residents, who use more electricity than the average home for heating, could see a larger increase.

And it's only the tip of the iceberg. While plans are under review by the province and the BC Utilities Commission, BC Hydro has proposed a total increase of 32 per cent from 2011 through 2014. If approved, rates could go up another 24 per cent over the next three years.

Most of that money will go towards upgrades to, and the expansion of, B.C.'s hydroelectric dam system to meet increased demand across the province, and a portion will go towards the increasing number of private power projects that sell electricity at a higher rate than BC Hydro currently charges customers. BC Hydro is also spending $930 million installing "smart" meters on homes and businesses that will allow BC Hydro to read meters remotely for billing, and eventually for customers to monitor their electricity use in real time. The smart metres are also expected to save the utility money over time.

Although the Government of B.C. is doing a review of BC Hydro with the aim of keeping costs low for consumers, it's reasonable to suggest that more increases are on the way, no matter what is decided.

 

This is a new series by Pique that will look at how people can reduce their electricity costs - and benefit the environment - by changing their habits and making a few investments in their homes and work spaces. Next month's article will look at how you can save money with a laundry line or rack, and the false rumour that the lines are not allowed by bylaws!