LESS HOT WATER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20002, 29 July 1939, Page 7

LESS HOT WATER

COLD WEATHER COMPLAINT ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS REFUTATION OF RUMOURS Because they are securing less hot water (from their water heaters at present, some consumers of electric power in Gisborne believe that supplies of current have been reduced. These statements were, refuted' by Mr. F. R. Ball, chairman of the Poverty Bay. Electric-Power Board, at .a meeting of the board to-day. “I 'believe Ifluat some of our consumers are under the impression thai the board is cutting off supply to the domestic hot-water services to an undue degree, in order to reduce its peak demand upon .the Public Works Department," stated Mr. Ball. -This is net so. Hot water seivices irt the winter months are not cut oh lor any longer periods that a.t othei limes of the year. Under our terms and conditions o-f supply we undertake to give a minimum average service of HO hours a day. Actually, the services receive 21 hours’ supply. "The cut-off period, totalling three hours per day, consists ’of several short periods "ranging from 10 minutes to 45 minutes at a time, .throughout the day, and varies according to load conditions. The total of three hours is, however, not exceeded. Atmospheric Conditions “Atmospheric conditions affect all hot-water siorage systems. The temperature at which water enters the cylinder is an important factor influencing the maintenance of the service, and it is obvious that .the lowei ■the temperature in the mains, the greater the consumption of curient required .to .bring the water to .a given degree of heat at the tap. Moreover, winter demands on hotwater services are higher than sum3per demands, the volume of ho. water used being greater “A service which will give every satisfaction in the summer months, with a given .wattage, on the element, may not provide the same satisfaction in winter, when the air and ground temperature are perhaps 30 to 35 degrees lower. To meet this variation in demand' on the heating element, the board now recommends for all water-heaters a higher-wattage element, controlled by a thermostat; and also has arranged for subsidising the adjustment of the older types of heaters to achieve the same effect. Thermostatic Control “The additional power required for winter months can only be given by the use of the higher-wattage elements. By thermostatic, control, unnecessary boiling is obviated in the summer months; and the newer type of installation evolved as the result of several years’ experience is furnishing adequate and entirely satisfactory service.’’ The managing-secretary, Mr. R. P. Baigent, suggested that thermostats could be installed, where provision existed in the cylinder for them, for 17s 6d, although the cost to the board would be in excess of that amount.

■ Mr. Ball also refuted a. statement which' had sained currency that the Government houses were being placed on a flat rate for the supply of electricity. That was not so. The statements might have originated from the fact that all-electric houses were placed on an alternative rate, under which a certain number of fixed lights was provided and any over that number were charged for on the cooking rate.