LOWER ELECTRICITY CHARGES

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 88, 25 September 1953, Page 1

LOWER ELECTRICITY CHARGES

REVISED TARIFF APPROVED At its monthly meeting last week the Town Board approved a revised schedule of reduced monthly charges for electric power supply submitted by Mr Lloyd Mandeno, the Board's consulting engineer. Mr Mandeno, in a covering letter, stated that the revised scale should provide suffieient revenue and that while it was higher than rates in the large cities, it was a more favourable scale of charges than in many parts of the country. The new tariff will be introduce& with the coming into operation of the main generator, now being installed. Domestic Supply Rate. The Domestic Supply, Rate A, is available to private residences for all domestic purposes, including motors used for strictly non-com-mercial purposes up to 2 h.p. The charge for power used is 4d per kWH (kilowatt-hour, or unit) up to a total of 60 kWH per month, and , lid per kWH for all power used in excess of 60 kWH. The charge hitherto has been a flat rate for power used of 9d per kWH. In addition to the above charge for power actually used, there is a Standing Charge based on the number of rooms in the residenc§, the amounts being as follows: — Up to 3 rooms 4/- per month; 4 rooms 5/- per month; 5 rooms 6/per month; over 5 rooms 7/6 per month. In calculating the number of rooms in a house, for the purpose of assessing the standing charge, living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms only are counted. Under the interim tariff at present in force, a minimum charge of 10/- per month has been charged, with a charge per unit used of 9d. There is no minimum charge in the new scale, the standing charge being in addition to power consumed.

This Domestic Supply rate will apply also to schools, churches, 'non-commercial' community halls and, where the owner so elects, to flats or cabins. Blocks of flats or cabins will carry one Standing Charge in respect of each consumer's meter account. 60kWH (units) will be charged at the higher rate in the energy (power) charge, i.e., 4d per kWH, in respect of each cabin or suite of living accommodation. Domestic Water Heating. There are two rates covering domestic water heating. The first of these, Rate E1 in the schedule of charges, is applicable where an electric range of 5kWH or over is installed, and installations are made in accordance with the requirements of the Board and where effective thermostats are installed and provision made in the wiring installation for pilot wire control. The requirements of the Board referred to are, in general, as set out in N.Z. Standard Speeifications Nos. 720 and 917. The charge made under this Rate El, is a demand charge of 2/per 100 watts of normal element rating per month, plus a charge of .3d (three-tenths of a penny) per kWH (unit) for actual power consumed. The thermostat referred to will control the temperature of the water, by switching the current off when it reaches a temperature of 180 degress, and switching it on

again when the temperature drops below that point. There is no connection between the electric range and the hot water system. The requirement of an electric range of 5kWH or over is to ensure the use of suffieient power by the consumer to qualify for the rate of three-tenths of a penny per unit. For all other domestic water heating installations, and for power supply to booster elements, supply will be given through a meter ::or Rate A, that is at 4d. per kWH up to a total per month of 60kWH and at lid. per feWH thereafter.