Most of BC Hydro's 70,000 mobile home customers are over 60 and live on low incomes — but on average they're paying much higher power bills per square foot than people living in houses, apartments, duplexes and townhouses, according to a new report.

The utility's report — Mobiles and megawatts: Why mobile homes use the most electricity — was released on Tuesday.

A mobile home uses, on average, 50 per cent more electricity per square foot than a single-family home and about the same as many townhouses or duplexes — though they are generally smaller, sometimes as much as half the size, according to BC Hydro.

There isn't much that can be done about the insulation and thin walls of a mobile home, but according to BC Hydro spokesperson Mora Scott, there's still lots that can be done to improve energy efficiency and lower electrical bills.

She said sealing gaps and cracks with weather stripping to block drafts can reduce a BC Hydro bill by about 10 per cent.

Window upgrades can help with energy efficiency — there's also a BC Hydro rebate of up to $2,000 for window replacements.

According to Scott, the utility found there are three examples of common behaviour among mobile home residents that contribute to hefty power bills. 

Scott suggested installing a heat pump to drastically reduce the cost of heating and cooling mobile homes. She said it can be pricey — between $4,000 and $5,000 after installation, but there's a $2,000 BC Hydro rebate, and she said for someone using an air conditioner and electricity to heat their home, a heat pump can reduce BC Hydro bills by 25 per cent.

She said there are other simple ways to reduce power bills, like tweaking the thermostat — Scott said dropping it by two degrees can save five per cent on a bill, so reducing the temperature when you're in bed or away from home can make a big difference.

Customers can also apply for a free energy saving kit, which includes things like weather stripping and energy efficient LED light bulbs.

Scott said BC Hydro plans to take the findings of its report and work on plans for other rebates and ways to help mobile home residents reduce their electricity use.

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Join the conversation  Create account

Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6

Toll-free (Canada only): 1-866-306-4636

TTY/Teletype writer: 1-866-220-6045

It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges.

Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem.