Track your business' electricity use

Track your electricity use, reduce your costs

If you're a business owner, you're probably always looking for ways to save money and improve your bottom line. And just as you monitor your business’ expenses to identify ways to reduce costs, you can do the same with your electricity use.

The online tracking tools available in your MyHydro account provide you with detailed information about your business' electricity use. Knowing what to look for can help you identify opportunities to reduce your usage and save. 

Log in to MyHydro

Examine your electricity use with MyHydro tracking tools

When you’re looking at your consumption graphs, here are a few ways to use the data to understand patterns and spot ways to save. 

See your daily, hourly usage

If you're a small general service rate customer, you can see your usage down to the hour – up to the previous day. If you're a large general service or medium general service customer, you can access data down to five minute intervals.

When you’re reviewing this data, here are some things to watch for:

Spikes in your usage

These are indicated by the higher bar graphs. Think about what activities would have contributed to you using more electricity. Consider options like energy-efficient upgrades to lighting or other systems if you’re consistently seeing higher electricity usage when certain equipment or systems are turned on.

Usage outside of business hours

Consider implementing an energy efficiency awareness program for your employees to encourage staff to turn off and unplug equipment at the end of day to avoid wasted electricity outside of business hours.

Comparing to your previous usage

Examine your recent usage in comparison to the same time last year to see how you’re doing. If you’re seeing consistently higher electricity use this year compared to last, consider the possible reasons for that, such as:

• The installation of new equipment or technology that would contribute to higher electricity use.
• A change in business operating hours, an increase in production, or use of equipment compared to last year.
• An increase in staff that may have resulted in more equipment being used throughout the day.

Compare to the outdoor temperature

Outdoor temperature can often be the most significant factor in overall electricity use, especially if your business relies on electricity for its heating or cooling system, here are some things to look at:

• Compare your current billing period with the average outdoor temperature to see if patterns emerge.
• Then, check the same time last year to see if it’s within your normal seasonal range.

Improve your energy efficiency, stay on top of your usage

Now that you have a better understanding of how you're using electricity, you can take steps to reduce your consumption.

Upgrade inefficient equipment

Consider options like energy-efficient upgrades to lighting or other systems if you’re consistently seeing higher electricity usage when certain equipment or systems are turned on. 

See available incentives.

Get advice from our experts

Our Alliance of Energy Professionals is a network of energy efficiency trade professionals registered with BC Hydro. Members can help you find opportunities to improve your business’ energy efficiency by installing energy-efficient products and accessing various BC Hydro incentives and programs.

Contact our business help desk for information on the programs and incentives available to your business. They can be reached by calling 1 866 522 4713 or by email.

Set up alerts and reports in MyHydro

• Get usage alerts by text or email: Set your electricity use threshold and receive an alert when you’re halfway to your threshold, and when you’ve exceeded it.
• Get a report on how you’re doing: Receive a weekly or monthly report outlining your electricity use to date and your estimated costs for the current billing period.