VANCOUVER: BC Hydro has filed its Fiscal 2023-2025 Revenue Requirements Application with the BC Utilities Commission, requesting an annual average bill increase of 1.1 per cent for the next three years. As a result, it is requesting a bill decrease of 1.4 per cent starting April 1, 2022.

The most common reason for a high bill is a change in season or outside temperature. In the winter for example, we use our heating system more to stay comfortable, and keep lights on longer. You can also compare your usage to the average outdoor temperature to see how your electricity use changes.

What is the step 2 rate? Under BC Hydro’s Residential Conservation Rate, you pay 8.58 cents per kWh for the first 1,350 kWh you use over an average two-month billing period. Above that amount, you pay the step 2 rate of 12.87 cents per kWh for the balance of the electricity used during the billing period.

A peak time event may occur from 6 a.m. to 12 noon and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., during the trial season.

The average BC Hydro bill of someone living an apartment or condo is approximately $43 per month, compared to a single- family home with an average monthly bill of $103.

21 small changes can add up to big savings on your bills

1. Turn off unnecessary lights.
2. Use natural light.
3. Use task lighting.
4. Take shorter showers.
5. Turn water off when shaving, washing hands, brushing teeth.
6. Fix that leaky faucet.
7. Unplug unused electronics.
8. Ditch the desktop computer.

The Step 2 rate (above 1,350 kWh) will be 7.21 cents per kWh. As of April 1, 2009, the Step 1 rate increases to 6.35 cents per kWh, and the Step 2 rate increases to 8.27 cents per kWh. Residents can take action to reduce their electricity consumption and lower their bills.

The reason why your electricity bills are so high is that the more electricity you use, the more you pay per unit of electricity. If your typical electricity usage is 900 kWh per month, and your average cents per kWh is $0.15, you would pay something around $135 per month.

Common Causes of High Bills

• Weather. If the weather is hotter or colder than it was during your last billing period, chances are you are using more heat or air conditioning.
• Phantom Power.
• Seasonal Appliances.
• Household Appliances.
• Household Numbers.
• Leaking Taps.
• On-Peak Usage.

BC Hydro statement on one per cent rate reduction. Starting April 1, 2020, BC Hydro rates will be reduced by one per cent, following interim approval by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC). As a result of BC Hydro’s audited Fiscal 2019 results and financial forecast, BC Hydro submitted a request for a rate reduction of around one per cent in an

The Government of British Columbia launched a multi-phase review of BC Hydro in 2018. Phase 1 focused on actions to keep BC Hydro rates affordable and enhance the B.C. Utilities Commission’s independent oversight of BC Hydro costs, rates and activities.

Advancing electrification will drive increased demand for clean electricity from existing and new BC Hydro customers during a time of energy surplus. This will increase BC Hydro revenues and help keep rates low for everyone.

When BC Hydro’s trading subsidiary Powerex sells clean power sourced from B.C. to other utilities on the Western Interconnection, it not only provides BC Hydro with additional revenue to keep rates affordable in B.C., but also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere in western North America.