As summer weather washes over the Lower Mainland, you might be looking to save some extra money for the next dinner out or patio visit in your future.
To help you on this path, BC Hydro is encouraging you to join Team Power Smart and start an electricity Reduction Challenge to lower your electricity use by 10 per cent over the next year. If successful, you can earn a $50 reward on top of the money saved on your monthly energy bills.
Participants are also eligible for monthly prizes and special offers. You can sign up for the program easily by logging into your account on the BC Hydro website.
Since the Team Power Smart Challenge was introduced, tens of thousands of customers have taken the challenge each year.
Making small changes at home can really add up in savings. Reducing your electricity use is easier than you may think. It could be as simple as closing the blinds to keep the house cool during the summer and turning off lights during bright days. Other quick fixes could include running only full loads through the laundry or dusting off your light bulbs to improve light output.
Coupled with BC Hydro’s online tracking tools,it’s easier than ever to measure the results of these changes at home and see just how impactful these energy-saving habits can be. Rather than having to estimate how much power you’re using, you can track your electricity consumption on a daily, weekly and monthly basis and better understand your electricity use patterns.
The comparison tools also allow you to look at your previous year’s energy use and to compare your energy use to similar homes in the area. If you’re finding that your energy use is above the average, it might motivate you to look for ways to use less energy at home.
Other features show how outside temperatures can impact energy use over the seasons — data that you might be eager to check out following our especially cold winter earlier this year. Being aware of how temperature changes might influence your electricity use can get you thinking about opportunities to save electricity – making you that much closer to reaching your Team Power Smart Challenge goal.
