Christmas lights nudge up power demand across B.C.

Christmas lights account for about three per cent of electricity used by BC Hydro customers in December, the Crown-owned utility says.

More than half of all British Columbians put up Christmas lights and 20 per cent say they're putting up more lights than ever before, a survey commissioned by BC Hydro found.

Sixty per cent put up multiple strings of lights and 20 per cent of those who decorate their home and/or yard use plug-in inflatables that run around the clock, increasing power consumption.

Twenty-per cent still use at least some old incandescent bulbs, rather than the higher efficiency LED lights.

“Holiday displays account for about three per cent of the provincial electricity load during the winter holiday season, and social media may be contributing to more statement-making dis