BC Hydro says demand has increased across the province this weekend as people try to stay cool during the heat warning
Spokesperson Kevin Aquino says they expect demand to peak on Monday and Tuesday.
“Typically with energy demand, energy behaviors are different during the weekdays and weekends. With weekends, we can expect folks to be out and about, whereas on the weekdays, folks do have their routine,” Aquino told CityNews.
“So we do see the highest demand from Monday to Friday, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and that’s typically when folks come home, they do their laundry, start cooking dinner, and routine for their everyday use takes place.”
He says exact electricity usage numbers aren’t available yet, but there is nothing notable about demand, given the current weather.
Aquino says there are ways to keep your home cool without raising your power bill.
“One effective way is to ensure that your windows are shaded with blinds. The blinds and coverings for your windows can block up to 65 per cent of the heat entering your home,” he said.
“Another way to stay cool is that to ensure that you close your windows and doors once there is cooler air inside your apartment. That way you could trap the cooler air in and lock the hot air out.”
Official heat warning issued Saturday
Environment Canada officially announced the heat warning Saturday.
“Daytime high temperatures will be in the low to mid 30’s,” the weather service said.
“Near the water, daytime highs will be in the high 20’s. Overnight lows will be near 17 C. The hot temperatures are expected to moderate by the latter half of next week, but the exact timing is currently uncertain.”
The high tempatures pose a moderate risk to health, according to Environment Canada, and the BCCDC has offered some tips to help residents stay cool, including:
- drink plenty of water, even if you aren’t thirsty, especially at night
- reduce activity level and avoid intense activity
- wear a damp shawl or shirt
- sit in a cool or tepid bath
- take a cool shower
- use a personal mister or spray bottle
As well, people are advised to watch out for signs of heat stroke, which include severe headache, confusion, unsteadiness, vomiting, and a loss of thirst.
For those unable to stay cool in their own homes, a complete list of cooling centres and other resources across Metro Vancouver can be found here.
With files from Emma Crawford.