Wednesday, 5 October 2016

Savings in hydro; savings at cash register

Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman begins petition for lower electricity rates

October is great month to purchase LED light bulbs and other hydro-conserving products

By Mark Schadenberg
Here’s bright idea to reduce your hydro costs and therefore your household expenses long term. Buy LED light bulbs as they are on sale this month and a $3 coupon is available at many retailers.
Supplies of all items on sale are usually ended when supplies run out, so be sure to check out the offers soon.
A story by CTV News reporter Pat Foran, points out that major store chains are participating. Some smaller hardware stores are promoted on the website for Save On Energy, but the list includes like Home Depot, Home Hardware, Costco, TSC, Giant Tiger, and Canadian Tire are all participating.
The coupons are available from the Independent Electricity System Operator (www.saveonenergy.ca) 


Be sure to go online and print off a coupon or two or three as they may not be on display at your favourite hardware / household retailer.
These big savings are not only on LED (light emitting diode - technology) bulbs, but other hydro gizmos such as dimmer switches, weather stripping, outdoor light timers (Ideal for Halloween and Christmas decorations), programmable thermostats, and power bars.
LED light bulbs can save as much as 90% on hydro versus the old incandescent bulbs, and these newer technology bulbs last longer also, according to all accounts and reviews.  
Japan’s Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura were later awarded the 2014 Nobel prize in physics for the invention of the blue LED.
Obviously, consumers want lower hydro costs and electricity rates have dominated newscasts this autumn with Hydro One buying our local Woodstock utility recently, and all the talk about wind farms (including one in Oxford on Gunn’s Hill Road south of Woodstock), solar energy and fossil fuels.
Hydro One will have representatives at various locations around the province throughout October as well with tips and ideas on energy savings possibilities, coupons, workshops and speakers, advice and educational background.
The Hydro One destinations include:
Woodstock, Home Depot, Oct 8 - 9.
Simcoe, Canadian Tire, Oct 29.
Delhi, Canadian Tire, Oct 30.


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The energy efficiency and comfort of your home – or, if you are a social housing provider, your tenants’ homes – could be significantly improved through the installation of:
  • energy-saving light bulbs (LEDs)
  • a power bar
  • a low-flow showerhead (in homes with electric water heating)
  • faucet aerators (in homes with electric water heating)
You may also be eligible for a new, energy-efficient refrigerator or other appliance, such as a window air conditioner. If you are in an electrically heated home you may also be eligible for a programmable thermostat, weatherstripping around your doors and windows and additional insulation in your attic or basement.
The program includes a detailed in-home energy assessment, professional installation of energy-saving measures and advice on steps that can be taken to save even more energy.
  
All conservation devices and products provided under the HOME ASSISTANCE program are directly installed in the home and are free of charge to participants.
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ERNIE HARDEMAN -- MPP
The Oxford MPP, Ernie Hardeman, who sits in a Conservative seat at Queen’s Park, has started an online petition for consumers to participate in. The provincial Liberal party owns a majority of the seats provincially, so many consumer groups, along with the media are lobbying for a close analysis on why hydro rates have increased at a high rate.
Everyone who pays utilities knows that costs to go up over a period of time, but that increase must be controlled.

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Ernie Hardeman on Facebook: I continue to hear stories from families facing hardship due to their hydro bills. I appreciate hearing your stories and try to use them whenever possible in debates to ensure the government is aware of the challenges Ontarians are facing. In order to give you another tool to express your frustration with ever-increasing hydro rates, I have launched a petition calling on the government to reduce the cost of hydro.
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Ernie Hardeman
HEATING
With cooler months upon us, you can also check out the www.saveonenergy.ca website for possible rebates up to $650 on new high efficiency furnace installations. An improved Energy Star certified system could also save you more than $300 on your heating / cooling bills.
Read the links below are see the graphics added to this story. 


  
LINKS:

Twitter:
@PatForanCTVnews
@WoodstockSR
@1047HeartFM



Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative
Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES designation)
Royal LePage Triland Realty
Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage
757 Dundas St, Woodstock
(519) 537-1553, cell or text
Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com
Twitter: markroyallepage
Facebook: Mark Schadenberg, Royal LePage Triland

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