As our community grows, and demand for electricity climbs, we are committed to staying one step ahead to ensure our electrical services remain dependable for all 21,000+ customers.
About Penticton's Electrical Utility
Penticton's Electric Utility is owned and operated by the City of Penticton, providing electrical service to the community's 20,000+ residential, commercial and industrial customers. The Utility is also responsible for managing electrical infrastructure, which includes the following.
- 4 substations
- 4,040 power poles
- 199 km of underground cables
- 3,561 street lights
- 40 signalled intersections
Power is purchased from FortisBC at a wholesale rate and resold to utility customers at a retail rate. Revenue generated from electrical sales is used to cover the costs associated with running the utility and provides an annual dividend to the City, which is used to fund general capital projects.
The revenue generated from electrical sales is used to cover the costs associated with running the utility and also provides an annual dividend to the City, which is used to fund general capital projects.
When you turn on the lights, or plug in your electrical devices at night, do you ever question what life would be like without power? Here's the team that work behind the scenes to keep your services running, even if it means battling stormy weather in the wee hours to repair damaged or fallen powerlines.
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Save Energy, Save Money
You have the power to save on your residential bills. Here are a few tips:
- Hang clothes outside or on an indoor drying rack.
- Unplug devices at night, including kitchen appliances, video games and other electronics.
- Adjust the thermostat by one degree or install a programmable thermostat.
- Wash clothes in cold water and with full loads.
- Run the dishwasher when it’s full and use the air-drying setting (skip the heated drying).
- Replace lightbulbs with LEDs.
- Ensure doors and windows are sealed to prevent drafts.
- Reduce your water tank temperature.
- Upgrade old appliances with energy-efficient ones.
- Use smart plugs to cut the electrical supply to items that are on standby.
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Home appliances that use the most energy
- Air conditioning & heating
- Water heater
- Refrigerator
- Lighting
- Washer and dryer
- Electric oven
- Dishwasher
- TV & cable box
Appliances the use most energy on standby mode or powered off, although still plugged in:
- TV
- Printer
- Central heating furnace
- Microwave
- Computer
TIPS! What can you do?
- Unplug devices when not in use
- Install an energy-efficient thermostat
- Turn down your thermostat by 1-3 degrees
- Use smart plugs to cut the electrical supply to items that are on standby
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Did you know that your computer, printer or video game console may be drawing power, and costing money, even when it's not in use?
So, what do you do to prevent that vampire device from continuing to pull energy? Here are some tips:
- Unplug devices, including kitchen appliances or printers, when not in use.
- Install a smart thermostat, so you can control your home heating or air conditioning digitally.
- Turn down your thermostat by 1-3 degrees.
- Try a smart plug, which turns off the power to devices at night.
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How does your house compare when it comes to its energy efficiency? Now you can find out in less than five minutes by filling out a simple online form. You'll receive a free custom report about the energy efficiency of your home – plus some suggested opportunities to increase your energy rating.
Here are 4 easy steps to get started.
1. Enter your house address at rdos.properate.io and answer a few quick questions. You’ll receive a custom property report of your home based upon BC Assessment data. This process takes less than five minutes and is completely free.
2. The report will provide suggestions of potential upgrades with estimated costs that can improve the property’s rating, such as installing new windows, heat pumps or improving insulation, with results dependent on a home's age, materials and location. It will also provide a list of available rebates and government incentives.
3. Find your home on a map of the region (see below on this page or visit the RDOS properate map page). See how other homes in your neighbourhood and greater community compare.
How Much Do You Pay?
Home Energy Loans Available
How would you like to make your home more energy-efficient and save money on your electricity bills? The City's Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) offers loans to eligible homeowners who are interested in conducting energy-efficient upgrades to their home. Find out more!
Learn about Power in Penticton
Have Questions?
Electrical service inquiries: Contact the Electric Utility at 250-490-2535 or electric.utility@penticton.ca
Billing Inquiries: 250-490-2489 or utilities@penticton.ca
Report an Outage
During business hours (Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.): 250-490-2539 or electric.utility@penticton.ca
After hours: 250-490-2324