Eligible low income and vulnerable customers are encouraged to prepare now for hotter weather by applying for a free portable air conditioner through a program offered by the province through BC Hydro.
Over the past few years, the use of air conditioning in B.C. homes has increased by 20 per cent, and that upward trend is expected to continue as climate change drives summer temperatures ever higher. More than half of all British Columbians are now cooling their homes in the summer with AC, compared to about one-third just four years ago.
Portable air conditioning units have become a popular choice in B.C. homes because they are lower cost, can easily be moved, are simple to set up, and do not require permanent installation. It is estimated that 730,000 units are being used across the province; an increase of about 350,000 units over the past three years.
However, air conditioning is not accessible for everyone, particularly low-income and vulnerable residents. To bridge the AC affordability gap, last summer the province announced a three-year program with $10 million in funding for BC Hydro to install 8,000 free portable air conditioning units in the homes of British Columbians who need them the most.
Since the program launched, more than 4,400 free AC units have been installed, and BC Hydro is encouraging qualifying customers to apply early to get their AC unit before the hot weather begins. Changes have been made to ensure that units can be installed faster, including a new self-serve installation option for eligible customers. The application process has also been streamlined, and customers can visit www.bchydro.com/freeAC to view income qualifications, eligible housing types, and an application form.
The program is available for income qualified households and individuals who are referred by regional health authority programs. If you live in an income-qualified household and/or have received a recommendation letter from your regional health authority’s Home Care Program, you may be eligible for a free portable air conditioner. If you rent your home, you will need to obtain a consent form from your landlord.
The offer includes a portable AC unit which is on wheels, and is installed by connecting a flexible duct hose through an open window. The unit can be plugged into a standard wall electrical outlet, and is ideal for small, enclosed spaces such as a bedroom. Customers are responsible for ongoing maintenance, take-down, and re-installation, and if you own your home you can opt to self-install your unit for quicker installation.
Residents who already have a functioning AC unit in their home are not eligible. However, if you have a unit that is completely non-functioning you may be eligible for a new one.
While air conditioning is becoming an increasingly popular option for many people, BC Hydro is reminding customers there are additional ways to stay cool – and save money – this summer. These include:
- Closing the drapes and blinds: Shading windows can block out up to 65 per cent of the heat.
- Shutting doors and windows: If the temperature outside is warmer than inside, keeping doors and windows closed helps to keep the cooler air in and the warm air out.
- Using a fan: Running a fan for nine hours a day costs just $7 over the course of an entire summer.
