Friday December 11, 2020 | VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC [Updated 11:15 am]
by Kiley Verbowski | Island Social Trends | Mary P Brooke, editor
According to a new survey by BC Hydro, 90 per cent of British Columbians are planning to spend more time at home this holiday season, from which higher electricity consumption will result.
In an effort to stay connected in these isolating times of the COVID-19 pandemic, 60 per cent of respondents said they are planning a virtual celebration with their loved ones. Half said that they plan to make more phone calls than usual. Smartphones will need recharging more frequently, bumping up electricity usage.
While electronics help us stay connected, they also provide entertainment and distraction. Over half of respondents said they will be using electronics to pass the time, and 75 per cent reasoned their time will be spent watching more TV and movies over the holiday season than they normally do.
The survey: [Editor’s Note]
The online survey was conducted by Majid Khoury on behalf of BC Hydro, contacting 800 British Columbians between November 16 and 19, 2020. The income level or location of this small group of survey respondents was not identified by BC Hydro in their release.
The shopping trends:
The report also found that British Columbians will also be investing in electronic gifts this holiday season, for themselves and others.
Many are escaping the stresses of living through a global pandemic by playing video games, and 10 per cent of adults in BC are preparing to purchase a new gaming console this month. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox One X were top sellers last year, and contributed to electricity use in 2020.
Around 10 per cent of respondents said that they are expecting to purchase cellphones for family and friends. The major wireless providers can send you phones directly, without you having to go to a store or kiosk during the pandemic.
Other popular purchases this season are headsets with microphones and LED ring lights, as video calls continue to be a popular way to connect with colleagues and friends. Computer monitors, tablets, and TVs are also expected to be wrapped and placed under trees this month.
Tips for improving energy efficiency:
BC Hydro is recommending a few ways to reduce energy consumption and cut down your household’s utility bill this season.
Streaming movies or TV shows from a game console requires up to 40 per cent more electricity than streaming on a device like a smart TV. A smart TV has an internet connection and has apps to various streaming platforms.
Laptops or desktop computers that have an ENERGY STAR symbol means that they have built-in efficiency, usually using between 30 and 60 per cent less electricity. TVs with that symbol use at least 30 per cent less electricity.
If you’re planning to buy a new monitor anytime soon, consider that bigger sizes can use an inequivalently larger amount of energy. A 17-inch monitor uses 30 per cent more energy than a 15-inch screen. If you’re interested in monitoring your household’s holiday footprint, consider using the tracking tools available in MyHydro.
Turn down your electric heat or furnace if you nip out for a holiday season walk, to save on a bit more power. Only use lights that are needed for activity in any given room.
To save on electricity further you might want to not run your outdoor decorative Christmas lighting run all night. Most neighbourhoods will understand if it’s switched off by midnight.
Heating in your home overnight that relies on activation or maintenance by electricity can be turned down a notch to save further.
It’s all about balance between using more due to at-home isolation and less out of a responsible need for conservation, not to mention your hydro bill after the holiday season.
Inclement weather:
Remember that if the weather is additionally cold you will probably be using more electricity for heating and cooking.
Remember to prepare for any possible power outages in windy or stormy weather. Those electronics won’t be working during an outage. Your emergency kit could also include some forms of entertainment that don’t require electricity, such as books, board games or puzzles.
===== About the writers:
The professional communications career of Island Social Trends editor Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., Cert PR includes at one time being a communications specialist and speech-writer for a provincial power utility. She wrote the inaugural 36-week curriculum for the Writing for Business & Journalism Program at the Western Academy of Photography in Victoria which has guided a few of today’s BC government communications people and some travel writers.
Island Social Trends journalist Kiley Verbowski holds a BA in Writing from the University of Victoria. She covers a wide range of topics for publication in Island Social Trends and contributes photos.