Tomorrow is Christmas and many are set to be welcoming guests into their home and BC Hydro has some tips to help you prevent major spikes in electricity use.

Spokesperson Susie Rieder says there tends to be about a 15% increase in electricity use on Christmas day compared to an average day. She says electricity use tends to spike at around 1:00 in the afternoon.

“Well it seems the biggest factor is cooking. Hosting in general, but mostly cooking. We found 95 % of British Columbians that plan to have friends and family over are going to make meals from scratch and about 60% plan to make their own holiday treats instead of buying them.”

Rieder says one good way to save is to keep that oven door closed as much as possible and turning down the thermostat.

“One of the easiest things you can do, if you have people over, is to lower the temperature. So keep it at about 18 degrees Celsius. That will make sure that your guests are comfortable but also keep your heating costs to a minimum because heating can account for up to 50% of your bill in the winter time.”

Rieder says she was surprised to see how many guests are conscious of their electricity use while at other people’s homes.

“So 80% of British Columbians that plan to stay with friends and family over the holidays, so are going to be house guest’s, said that they are going to be taking extra steps to limit their electricity use such as turning off the lights or turning down the heat when they’re in somebody else’s home. So people are mindful of the electricity bills of others.”

Rieder also suggests motioning your hydro use by using My Hydro.