Effecting Economy

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 50, 27 June 1930, Page 34

Effecting Economy

, Points for Consumers A DISCUSSION at the last meeting of the Hutt Valley Dlectric Power Board .contains several points of interest for consumers of electricity. It was reported that complaints had been received from consumers that their electric lighting accounts were mor }.this year than for the same period

last year. In dealing with this matter the general manager explained that investigation of such cases almost uniformly proved that the consumer did not take into account the use that was being made of increased power lights, bulbs that were old and past their usefulness, and of electric wireless sets. The use of radio sets from the electric mains had brought to the board considerable revenue. This was a small point that consumers were apt to forget. Another point of importance to the consumer was that they neglected to check up on the life of their bulbs. It had to be remembered that electric light bulbs had a limited life only, and were good for only a certain number of hours at fullest efficiency. If they were burned beyond that time they would consume about twice as much current as they ought to and give inefficient light. A rough and ready method. of testing the efficiency of a bulb from this point of view was that, if it was too hot to handle after being burned for some time, it had outlived its life and should be promptly abandoned, and replaced.