The recent cold snap in Saskatchewan has brought frigid temperatures to SaskPower customers across the province, and likely made a lot of people wonder what their electricity bills may look like after the cold temperatures warm up.
Electricity use has increased by 119 megawatts (MW) since the temperatures first dropped last week, said a SaskPower press release. During this time, provincial usage has reached as high as 3,692 MW — very close to the province’s record peak usage of 3,792 MW reached on Dec. 29, 2017.
Because of the continued cold snap dominating the upcoming forecast, SaskPower offered a few tips to customers that may help them reduce power consumption during this kind of weather.
The largest power consumers in a home are typically large appliances like ovens, washing machines and clothes dryers. SaskPower recommends using these appliances as efficiently as possible — running full loads of laundry, hanging clothes to dry if possible, and avoiding opening the oven when cooking to keep the set temperature high.
For those thinking ahead to future power-savings, SaskPower also noted that appliances with the Energy Star logo are more efficient and can also reduce electricity usage for a household.
Heating and cooling efforts actually make up about 22 per cent of an average household’s power consumption, said SaskPower, which means adjusting the thermostat can play a big role in how much electricity is being used throughout the day.
Using a programmable thermostat is the most efficient way to ensure you’re heating your home at optimal times, but even just lowering the thermostat as little as two to four degrees at night can make a difference. Ensuring all doors and windows are sealed tight against drafts can also go a long way in maximizing your heating system’s efficiency.
Another 20 per cent of a household’s power consumption can be attributed to electronic devices that are plugged in but not necessarily always in use. Unplugging things like game consoles, phone chargers or even turning off computers or stereos when not in use can reduce that power usage.
Even changing some simple habits can reduce power usage — like turning lights off when not in use, said SaskPower. Changing lightbulbs to LEB bulbs can also make a big impact, as LED bulbs use 80 per cent less electricity and last much longer than incandescent bulbs.
Lastly, with temperatures dipping so extremely low, it's likely that everyone is plugging their vehicles in much more often than usual — and rightly so.
However, the block heater in a vehicle actually only needs to be plugged in for about four hours before use to be beneficial, so SaskPower recommends installing a block heater timer. This device can reduce unnecessary electricity use and save a household roughly $30 per year, while still allowing drivers to still avoid both the cold and the dreaded no-start.
For more tips from SaskPower on saving electricity, visit saskpower.com/efficiency-programs-and-tips.
