The use of air conditioning is increasing across the province, according to B.C. Hydro

More Households Across BC Air-conditioners have more than tripled in the past two decades, according to a new report by BC Hydro

Last year, 34% of homes in BC used air conditioning, compared to just 10% in 2001.

"Hot, dry summers are becoming the norm here in the province," said Kevin Aquino, a BC spokesman for Hydro. "Over the past decade, we have noticed that there have been more days when temperatures reach 30 degrees or more."

More homes in the southern interior use air conditioning than any other area in British Columbia. But the organization says that the use is growing in the relatively mild climate of the south coast of British Columbia

"We are seeing a lot of high spots developing here in the Lower Mainland, and with these highrises, we see a lot of glbad walls This has prevented a lot of air circulation, "said Mr. Aquino

In the past three years, the rate of use of air conditioning has increased 23% in the Lower Mainland

Aquino says many customers pay a nice penny to stay cool Running an air conditioner for nine hours a day during the summer will likely cost users $ 300. Hydro estimates that each degree of lowering an air conditioner can increase air conditioning costs by three percent

Conversely, running a fan for the same duration would cost only $ 6 to users.

The sellers of the Lo wer mainland customers say they often look for smaller and less expensive alternatives to AC units

"[Air conditioners] are bigger … space is always a problem," said Charlie, a salesman at Magnet Home Hardware on Commercial Drive in Vancouver. "People are looking for other solutions, such as swamp coolers and fog fans," he added.

b.c. Hydro says the demand for electricity is even higher in the winter, as many British Columbians heat up.