Hydro initiative in Campbell River aimed at changing habits

Sandra McCulloch
Times Colonist
January 25, 2007

If you could save money on your B.C. Hydro bill just by shifting your household routine a little, would you?

About 2,000 B.C. Hydro customers are doing just that as they participate in a study called the Conservation Research Initiative, a 12-month process that gives participants a cheaper rate during off-peak hours.

The call for volunteers for the pilot project, which began Nov. 1, 2006, was met with an enthusiastic response from six communities targeted in B.C., said Stephen Watson of B.C. Hydro.

"We were trying to target 200 in Campbell River and we ended up with 262 (volunteers), which is excellent," said Watson in a phone interview yesterday.

"Conserving electricity is the first and most cost-effective choice to help us meet the increasing gap between supply and demand," said Watson.

Conservation will become increasingly important with growth in B.C. expected to increase 45 per cent by 2025. This study allows users to learn first hand how and when they use the most electricity as reflected on their bill.

Participants are charged three to five times more for electricity during the peak periods than they would pay in off-peak. The study is still in the early stages and it's not yet clear how much a typical participant is saving on bills.

No one is expected to pay more than they would normally, said Watson.

Shifting household routines isn't easy, Watson hears. "They've been doing their lifestyle pattern for a long time. It's a challenge."

Nikola McKenzie of Campbell River is one of the households taking part in the study. She, her husband Jeff and 20-year-old son Michael have already made major changes to their lifestyle.

"Technically, if we were absolutely just rigid, I'm sure we could save significantly on our bill," said Nikola in an interview yesterday.

"They're not going to charge us more than we used to pay but we could potentially pay less than we were paying if we did most of our stuff on the off-peak hours."

She's put notes on the dryer as a reminder to restrict its use to off-peak hours. Michael has shifted his routine of going to the gym so it's later in the day "and then he showers in off-peak hours."

The experience has been illuminating, said Nikola. "I think it was more an awareness thing. If I can change -- and I'm sort of the average Joe -- then anybody can, right?

"You're not going to be able to change everything, but little things can make a heck of a difference in what you're consuming."

She has adjusted the temperature of her fridge and freezer so it's more energy-efficient. And she's spreading the word to family and friends about how they, too, can benefit from being more energy-conscious.

"I'm telling people, if you're home and can do your laundry between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., then do it. Or you can put (wet clothes) in the dryer before you go to bed at night and grab them in the morning."

The pilot project is the first step of a process that may eventually see it expanded into other communities, but the B.C. Utilities Commission would need to approve any changes.

Another B.C. Hydro program on Gabriola Island has 100 customers with timers on their hot water tanks. During peak hours, the tanks shut down and start up again once the off-peak hours begin.

That way, customers learn to shift showers, dishwashing and laundry to off-peak hours.