Leaving the television on, adjusting the thermostat or keeping lights running throughout the day may help keep pets calm — but those habits are also quietly increasing electricity use in British Columbia homes.
A new survey released by BC Hydro ahead of National Pet Day suggests many pet owners are using energy to keep their animals comfortable while they’re away, sometimes without realizing the cost.
According to the survey, nearly one in five pet owners say they leave lights or heat on all day for their pets. Another 13% report leaving a TV, radio or smart speaker running, with television being the most common choice. Many respondents said background noise helps reduce pet anxiety or makes homes feel less empty.
“Pets are part of our families, so it’s completely understandable that people want them to feel comfortable when they’re home alone,” said BC Hydro spokesperson Susie Rieder. “But some of these well-intentioned habits — especially leaving heat or air conditioning on all day — can use more electricity than people expect.”
The survey also found differences in how pet owners manage home temperatures. Nearly one in four women say they almost always adjust heating or cooling for their pets, about 10 percentage points higher than men. Those changes can significantly affect energy use, particularly in homes with electric baseboard heating or continuous air conditioning.
Technology is also playing a growing role. About 24% of pet owners say they use cameras to monitor their animals remotely, while only 12% use smart thermostats that can automatically adjust temperatures when no one is home.
Still, interest in energy-efficient solutions appears to be growing. More than 40% of respondents said they would be comfortable using smart home automation to help care for their pets, and 46% said it is important to receive alerts about issues like temperature changes.
BC Hydro says pet care and energy conservation don’t have to conflict. The utility is encouraging customers to adopt simple measures such as using timers or smart plugs instead of leaving devices on all day, switching to LED lighting and using fans instead of air conditioning where possible.
The utility is also promoting programs and rebates, including incentives on energy-efficient air conditioners and its Peak Saver program, which helps reduce electricity use during high-demand periods.
