British Columbians set a B.C. Hydro record on Monday (Feb. 4).
The Crown corporation recorded its highest February peak hourly demand that night: 10,050 megawatts.
That's just shy of the all-time record of 10,194 megawatts set on Jan. 3, 2017.
In a press release, B.C. Hydro says since the cold snap began on Feb. 3, there has been a surge in electricity use (about 13 per cent higher than average).
The previous February record for peak hourly demand of 9,795 megawatts set on Feb. 8, 2017 has been broken twice during this season's cold snap.
B.C. Hydro notes heating costs can rise up to 140 per cent in the winter months. A recent report found more than a quarter of British Columbians set their thermostat above the recommended 21 C, and more than 40 per cent of couples admit to arguing over the temperature of the home.
