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News Releases
February 17, 2005
Brantford Power introduces comprehensive conservation and demand management plan
BRANTFORD - Consumers can start to prepare now for expected increases in the cost of electricity, says John Loucks, Director of Engineering and Planning for Brantford Power Inc.
Higher, market-based electricity prices are just around the corner, Loucks says, noting that the Ontario Energy Board has been instructed by the Ontario government to create a Regulated Price Plan that reflects the true cost of electricity by May 1, 2005.
Loucks passed on his consumer tips while speaking to the Kiwanis Club of Brantford on BPI's Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) Plan, which was approved by the Ontario Energy Board on December 10, 2004.
Loucks said consumers can best protect themselves from rising prices by taking conservation measures that lower their electricity use. He presented the following Top Ten List to aid consumers:
- The refrigerator is the largest user of electricity in most homes. Do you really need that second fridge?
- Set your refrigerator to 3ºC (38ºF) and your freezer to -18ºC (0ºF)
- The recommended setting for air conditioners is 24ºC (75ºF)
- Every ºC increases heating cost 5%
- Dimmers and timers will save you money
- Compare Energuide labels when buying appliances
- Compact fluorescent bulbs use 70% less electricity than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times as long
- Install a programmable thermostat
- Turn off computers and other electronics when not in use
- Check for drafts and the insulation in your home
Brantford Power, owned by the City of Brantford, is the local distributor of electricity to businesses and residences in Brantford. It does not set the price of electricity but collects this money from customers at cost and pays it directly to the market operator.
Background
Brantford Power's CDM Plan calls for BPI to invest $1.34 million on a range of conservation and demand management proposals by the end of 2005, including a program directed at low income households.
The largest component consists of distribution system improvements in Brantford's older subdivisions, which experience significant energy losses.
In particular, the Mayfair subdivision is one of the oldest and least electrically efficient. Replacing the transformers and primary cable will both upgrade the voltage level to current practices as well as improve the overall efficiency of the system with an annual energy savings estimated at about 900,000 kWh.
Total cost of the proposed upgrades is estimated at $1.8 million, with $900,000 of that amount allocated to the CDM budget.
Other CDM proposals include:
- Installing additional smart meters at commercial and industrial customer premises;
- Energy conservation workshops for commercial and industrial customers; the next "Power Breakfast" is scheduled on March 9, 2005, with NRCan;
- Reactivating a residential water heater load management system;
- Developing customer programs for all customer classes;
- LED traffic signals on Wayne Gretzky Parkway;
- Low income conservation program based on the LIEN [Low Income Energy Network] program in partnership with Share the Warmth.
Contact Information:
John Loucks
Director of Engineering & Planning
(519) 759-4222 Ext. 3222
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