Our spokespeople Dave and Jaclyn have their fans and know how to look cool and stay cool during the summer.
Stay cool, save energy, and scoop up our summer deals
The forecast is in: summer is bringing the heat. With warmer weather on the way, now's the time to brush up on the best ways to keep your cool.
We've rounded up our top tips to help you chill out, even on the hottest days.
Save on select room air conditioners, air purifiers, showerheads
Is a fan not quite enough to keep your home cool? Don't let the heat get to you. Get $50 off select ENERGY STAR® window air conditioners and high efficiency portable air conditioners – including some from Canadian brands – now until August 22.
Here are details on all our deals available:
- $30 off select ENERGY STAR® air purifiers.
- $50 off select ENERGY STAR® window air conditioners and high efficiency portable air conditioners.
- $10 off select WaterSense® certified showerheads.
Learn more at bchydro.com/deals.
Follow us on Instagram for a chance to win a portable air conditioner
With summer coming in hot, we’re giving you the chance to cool down with a chance to win a Danby portable air conditioner. Give @bchydro a follow on Instagram, and keep your eye out for posts throughout the summer. All you have to do is hit the like button on the contest post, and tag a friend in the comments, and you'll be entered to win.
1. Need a fan? Get ahead of the heat
Every year it's the same story: the heat hits, fans fly off shelves, and we're stuck sweating it out while searching for the right one. Skip the scramble. Do your homework now and grab the fan you'll need later.
Want to use your fan effectively? Use it only when someone's in the room. Fans don't cool the air, they cool you by moving the air around. Unless it's pulling in fresh air from an open window, leaving it on in an empty room just wastes energy.
2. Time your windows right
Air flow is everything. Open and close windows, blinds, and doors strategically, and your home will be much more comfortable when the heat hits.
The concept is simple. Close windows and doors as soon as the air outside is warmer than it is inside your home, then open them when the air outside is cooler – usually later in the evening and the early morning.
In multi-level homes, a window cracked in the basement, or first level, can work wonders when combined with a window opened on the upper level, creating a flow of air and flushing out heat in the home. Just be careful to ensure your opened windows won't create a security issue, especially on ground floors.
Don't wait too long to close the blinds or drapes in the morning. That east or south facing window may be getting bombarded by the sun, and stopping heat from entering your home in the first place is key.
3. Take the heat out of the kitchen
Ovens and heat waves? Not a great combo. When you use that big appliance on a hot day, it just makes your home less comfortable. So, use a small appliance to make dinner, opt for the barbecue, or go for salads, smoothies, or cold meat and cheese plates. And if your home is really, really uncomfortable, get outside: pack for a picnic at the beach or at a park full of trees.
4. If you feel you need an air conditioner, make it ENERGY STAR®
Through August 22, 2025, get $50 off select ENERGY STAR® window air conditioners and high efficiency portable air conditioners at participating retailers.
Natural Resources Canada has a list of ENERGY STAR-certified air conditioning units, both central and room A/C units. But the easiest way to find an efficient unit is to look for the ENERGY STAR label.
By replacing your old air conditioner with an ENERGY STAR qualified model, you can realize substantial savings in electricity costs as they use 10% less energy, on average, than standard models.
5. Don't underestimate the power of blinds and drapes
The best way to keep your home comfortable is to limit the ability of the summer sun to heat things up in the first place. So in addition to closing windows and doors whenever it's warmer outside than inside, block the sun from entering rooms by closing windows and blinds on the south and west sides of your home in particular. On an extremely hot day, you may also find the early morning sun from the east worth blocking, too.
6. Plant a bush or deciduous shade tree
As summers get warmer in B.C., cities and municipalities are trying to increase the tree canopy to keep neighbourhoods from overheating. Some even offer limited-time rebates or discounts on the purchases of trees –including in Duncan, Kamloops and Surrey. A well-placed bush or shade tree outside your home can block the sun's rays from reaching your windows in the summer. If it's a deciduous tree, the leaves will be gone in time to allow the sun to warm your home in the cooler months.
Related: 6 tips for a drought-tolerant garden
7. Consider switching to a heat pump
Don't overlook the power of a heat pump. It's the most efficient way to deliver year-round comfort, and while it's called a "heat" pump, it's a superstar when it comes to cooling your home. Did you know that you could be eligible for up to $4,000 in rebates for replacing your current electric heating system with a heat pump?
8. Seal the heat out, and the cool in with draftproofing
Using weatherstripping and caulking to plug leaks in windows and doors is seen by many as something you do prior to the winter heating season. But it works wonders in the summer months, too, keeping cooler air in and warmer air out.
9. Find the summer sweet spot and set the temperature just right
Lower isn't always better. We recommend setting air conditioners to 25°C, which should be cool enough to keep you comfortable.
If you have a heat pump, set the temperature and forget it. That's the most efficient way to cool your home. Learn more about using a heat pump efficiently.
If you have an air conditioner, shut it off if you leave home for an hour or more.
10. Fill those gaps to help your freezer work smarter
Here's a cool tip: keeping your freezer full makes it run more efficiently. If yours isn't packed, try filling it with water bottles and milk containers of different sizes. Just remember to fill them only 75% full to leave room for ice expansion. When you're heading out for a hike, throw a frozen water bottle in your backpack — it'll keep your sandwiches or veggies cool, and as it melts, you'll have fresh, cold water to drink. Plus, milk containers filled with ice are perfect for coolers, whether you're going on a picnic or a camping trip. Since a bag or block of ice can cost around $7 at the store, this trick can also save you some cash.