Heat pumps could cool BC without demanding too much power |
British Columbia faces a triple heat threat.
Summers are getting hotter and dangerous heatwaves are becoming likelier, posing serious risks to public health and safety. Nearly half of BC households (44 per cent) still don’t have access to cooling in their homes and could experience extreme discomfort or even serious health issues such as heat stroke and dehydration. Already, many households have turned to plugging in inefficient, standalone air conditioners. If this trend continues, it will add significant demand to BC’s electricity grid and lock households into needlessly expensive summer hydro bills.
At the same time, the rising cost of living remains a top concern for British Columbians. Home energy costs are a major contributor to household bills, leaving some families forced to choose between maintaining a comfortable temperature at home or paying for groceries and other essentials.
Finally, layered on top of these pressures is the need for BC to do its part in avoiding unnecessary emissions that worsen global warming — and the very health risks climate change exacerbates.
One technology can help address all of these issues: the electric heat pump. While heat pumps work much like a central air conditioning system, they heat as well as cool. In the summer, this means protecting their owners during scorching heat waves and keeping them........