HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-05-20, Page 14HOFFMEYER
Page A14 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Because you're the type to save a life...
Goderich Blood Donor Clinic
Wednesday, May 27
Knights of Columbus Hall, 390 Parsons Court, Goderich, ON
1:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Within days, Goderich and area donations will improve or
save the lives of over 600 Canadians. Patients across our
country are counting on YOUR support.
Call 1 888 2 DONATE
to book an appointment.
www.blood.ca
Canadian Blood Services
it's in you to give
1 888 2 DONATE
On behalf of the Kinsmen Club, we wish to express our very sincere thanks to all the
corporate and business sponsors for their support in making this advertisement
possible. Canadian Blood Services would like to thank the Knights of Columbus
Hall for the use of their facilities and to all sponsors for their support.
PWPADING AND HEATING LTD.
•PLUMBING •SHEET METAL
•HEATING
•GAS FIREPLACES'
•AIR CONDITIONING
55 KINGSTON ST.
GODERICH •
524-7861
Windsor
74e Sat ej eitesaire4
ArAr .
Canada Corp.
A Compass Minerals Company
Goderich Evaporator Plant & Goderich Mine
B&B TAXI
524-9052
"Don't get nabbed...
Grab a Cab"
WE ARE NOT #1 U -R
L. H. JENKINS LTD.
AUTO PARTS & GENERAL REPAIRS
24 Hour Towing Service
R. R. 4,
Goderich
524-2181
R� � a ure
a F N
WILD BIRD &
EQUINE SPECIALISTS
Riveriine Nature...
one of the area's most unique & specialized shops
with bird seed, bird feeders, houses & accessories.
36 Kingston Street, Goderich
519-524-4272
www.feedthebirds.ca
oT
McGee Automotive
Supply Ltd.
282 Suncoast Dr. E. Goderich
Phone 519-524-1966 Fax 519-524-1861
Blood. It's in you to give!
Your Complete GLASS SERVICE
FISHER
GLASS & MIRROR LIMITED
224 Suncoast Dr. E.,
Goderich
524-7312
Performance
Plus
Vinyl Windows
Photo by Gerard Creces
Environtment services technologist Jennette Walker, Bill Wraith, meter foreman and
Bob Cornish, hydro board chair install a smart metre Friday.
Goderich gets hydro -smart
signal -star staff
Goderich is getting smart about its energy
consumption.
This year, 1,700 smart metres are being in-
stalled in Goderich households, allowing resi-
dents to track their own energy usage.
Goderich Hydro staff were busy installing
the last of a batch of 500 metres last week.
Bob Comish, chair of the Goderich Hydro
Board, said he's surprised at the positive re-
sponse he's gotten from residents thus far.
"I figured it would be negative," he said.
"People will be able to see what they're using
in power."
While he said this may not have much ef-
fect on older couples whos electricity use is
minimal, families with children and teens will
be able to track their energy usage daily and
adjust it to off-peak times to save money:
The online feature will mean residents don't
have to wait for the end of the month to see
their energy consumption habits.
"The day you found out was the day you got
your bill," Cornish said. "Now you can see it
daily."
. The new metres replace the old aluminum
dial units with an easy -to -read LED display.
Hydro rates are set every six months, and
Cornish said it is much like a gas bill, where
fluctuation is minimal.
Generally, electricity rates are higher in the
summer than in the winter.
Goderich's electricity rates are set by the
Ontario Energy Board, who act as Goderich
Hydro's regulator.
Peak times for summer are from noon to 5
p.m., costing 9.1 cents per kilowatt hour.
Off-peak times are from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. at
a rate of 4.2 cents per kWh.
All other times, the cost of power usage is
7.6 cents kWh. Comish said Goderich Hydro's
rates are just below the provincial average.
For residents dealing with a third -party en-
ergy retailer, the time of use rates offered by
Goderich Hydro will not apply.
Rather, some customers are locked into a
rate, unable to take advantage of lower rates.
For homeowners wishing to change over
to smart metres this summer, there are a few
things they can do to make it easier for install-
ers.
Bill Wraith, metre foreman at Goderich
Hydro, said residents should clean the area
around their hydro metres.
That means trimming hedges, thorny bushes,
debris or any other obstacle that could prevent
proper installation.
Though the smart metre tracking won't
be up and running until next year, Goderich
Hydro is installing them now, ahead of the
provincial deadline of 2011. Communities
such as Chatham -Kent
and Peterbourough have
already made the switch,
with Goderich not far be-
hind.
Goderich environ-
ment services technolo-
gist, Jennette Walker,
said the metres are part
of the province's energy -
reduction strategy, which
also includes the closure
of Ontario's coal-fired
power plants.
All parts of the old
electricity metres will be
recycled, including the
glas, she said.
For more information
on the province's energy
rates, go to: www.oeb.
gov.on.ca. For informa-
tion on smart metres.
check out: www.power-
authority.on.ca.
GODERCH HYDRO
NOTICE
West Coast Huron Energy Inc. (Goderich Hydro) DOES NOT have
employees going door to door selling electricity contracts.
You will never need to show your bill to a representative at your door who claims to be
from West Coast Huron Energy Inc. (Goderich Hydro) as we have your information
available to us in the office.
Many independently owned companies have acquired a license from the Ontario
Energy Board to sell electricity in the province. They quite often will sell their services
door to door. These companies are owned and operated separately from West Coast
Huron Energy Inc. (Goderich Hydro).
If an agent knocks on your door and wants to discuss a contract to provide your
electricity, ask for identification and write the information down. Carefully read the
terms of the contract to determine your rights and obligations under the agreement.
If a consumer feels they have been dealt with unfairly, they can contact the Ontario
Energy Board at their toll free number 1-877-632-2727. Complaints can also be
e-mailed to oomplaints@oeb.gov.on.ca
For further information please contact West Coast Huron Energy Inc. (Goderich r
Hydro) at 519-524-7371