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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-10-25, Page 7Wednesday, October 25, 2006 TIMES—ADVOCATE 7 Be sure to read the fine print Retailers of electricity have been calling residents in Huron and Bruce. They have offered a five-year con- tract at 9.6 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity. This rate would be locked in for the entire five-year term. It does not include any other items from the con- sumer's electricity bill, such as transmission charges and distribution charges which are fixed costs on a consumer's bill. I have received several calls, mainly from seniors who had signed up, but then realized it was not the bargain it was explained to be. It is important to know your rights and to carefully read the fine print of the contracts. Did you know for example that these contracts cease to be in effect where consumers do not reaffirm within 61 days of signing the contract that they were aware of the rates they would be charged under the contract, as com- pared to the rates they would be charged by their local distribution company? Such reaffirmation cannot occur prior to 10 days after signing the contract. Similarly the contract needs to set out the termination rights in order for the contract to comply with government regulations dealing with consumer protection obligations of gas marketers and retailers of electricity. It is important that electrical user consumers of electricity know that the present rate set by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) in its Regulated Price Plan ("RPP"), which applies to residential and small business con- sumers (referred to as "low volume" and "designated" consumers), is 5.5 cents for the first 1,000 kWh and 6.4 cents for any consumption above that threshold. Note that this consumption threshold is reset by the OEB for the winter, from the summer -time threshold of 600 kilo- watt-hours per month. Over the last three years the McGuinty government has increased the supply of energy. In Huron and Bruce we have nuclear power and wind farms providing more and more electricity. Our goal is to provide enough electric- ity to meet all our future needs. When signing any contract it is best to take your time. The salesperson may be in a rush but you should not feel pressured. When Letters , in doubt do not sign. As mentioned, to the read the fine print. Compare your pre - Editor sent bill with the one offered. Check � the offer that is being presented to you for the rate the retailer is offering 1 and the rate you would be giving up by going with the retailer. By law, both rates need to be set out in the offer. Give your pre- sent supplier a call and give them an opportunity to explain their price. Remember if the deal sounds too good to be true it probably is. THE CONSERVATION ZONE DOING THE DISHES EFFICIENTLY IPeter Love Chief Energy Conservation Officer of Ontario Time -shifting For Dishwashers In winter, Ontario's greatest demand for electricity usually occurs between 7 and 11 a.m. and again from 5 to 9 p.m. By switching non-essential use of major appliances such as your dishwasher to the early afternoon and after 8 p.m., you can help reduce demand on the electricity system. Time -shifting your dishwasher to off-peak times, like bedtime, means you can also take advantage of lower rates if they're offered by your electricity company. If a new dishwasher is in your future, consider investing in an ENERGY STAR® - qualified model, which will be at least 25% more efficient than an older, energy - gobbling model. Newer models can also be programmed to run at a certain time. Set it...then go to bed and forget it! Mythbusting for Dish washers Myth #1: It's Cheaper To Hand Wash. If you use the dishwasher once for every three to four times you would wash dishes by hand, a dishwasher can actually be more energy-efficient. Myth #2: Always Pre -rinse Your Dishes. Forget what mom said: Pre -rinsing is unnecessary for most modern dishwashers. Simply scrape off food and drain liquids. Five Easy Ways to Save Dishwashing Energy 1. Always run a full load. 2. Load dishes according to manufacturer's instructions to allow for proper water circulation. 3. Choose the "light" or energy-saving wash setting when you can. This uses less water and runs for a shorter period of time. Use the "heavy" or "pots/pans" cycle only when you really need it. 4. Choose the "no -heat" drying option if available; otherwise, you can just turn the dishwasher off at the end of the rinse cycle. By air -drying your dishes, you can save 10 % of the cost of operating your machine. 5. Consider moving your dishwasher away from the refrigerator, so heat from the dish- washer doesn't make the fridge work harder. The Conservation Bureau develops and delivers programs to help Ontario residents conserve energy and save money. Please visit: www.ConservationBureau.on.ca CAROL MITCHFLL Huron -Bruce MPP POLICE BRIEF Mischief to cabin SOUTH HURON — Vandals forced their way into a family recreational building on Elmville Line in South Huron sometime between Oct. 13 and Oct. 14. Parties completely destroyed the building and furniture located in the family building. VOTE (/y� COUNCILLOR WARD 3 SOUTH HURON 519-235-1409 BUILT TOUGH kfrel lit INTRODUCING ZERO DOWN PAYMENT ON ALL F-150 AND RANGER TRUCKS. F -SERIES BEST SELLING PICK-UP IN NORTH AMERICA, RANGER BEST SELLING COMPACT PICK-UP IN CANADA', preil 2006 F-150 SUPERCREW 4X4 WITH XTR PACKAGE • 4.6L Triton' V8 Engine • 18" Chrome Wheels • 5" Chrome Running Boards • Air Conditioning • Chrome Grille Frame • 4 -Speed Automatic • Electronic Shat -On -The -Fly 4X4 • AM/FM/CD Player LEASEFOR ONLY $399 .0.5,L $ DOWN PAYMENT SECURITY DEPOSIT: PER MONTH/36 MONTHS PWS FREIGHT $1,200. DOWN $1,500 $3,000 $4,500 MONTHLY PAYMENT $357 $315 $273 2007 RANGER SPORT 4X2 SUPERCAB • 3.0L SOHC V6 Engine • 15" Machined Aluminum Wheels • Colour -Keyed Fender Flares/ Grille/Bumpers • 5 -Speed Automatic • Air Conditioning • AM/FM/CD Player • 60/40 Split Bench Seat • Fog Lamps $ LEASE FOR ONLY 255+1.0°.E°E AND DOWN PAYMENT SECURITY DEPOSIT: PER MONTH/36 MONTHS PLUS FREIGHT $1,150. DOWN MONTHLY PAYMENT $1,000 $227 $2,000 $199 $3,000 $171 WITH NOTHING DOWN, THERE'S NOTHING STOPPING YOU. ford.ca Built for life in Canada . "3 • •. • WISE BUYERS READ THE LEGAL COPY: Offers valid in province of Ontario only. 'Lease a new 2006 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 4x4 with XTR Package or a new 2007 Ranger Sport SuperCab 4x2 for only ($399/$357/$315/$273)/ ($255/$227/$199/$171) (after foregone delivery allowance of $3000/$2750 deducted) per month based on an annual lease rate of 0.5%/1.0% and a 36/36 month lease from Ford Credit to qualified retail lessees, on approved credit. Total lease obligation is ($14,364/$14,352/$14,340/$14,328)/($9,180/$9,172/$9,164/$9,156). Optional buyout is $20,101/$12,692. Some conditions and a mileage restriction of 60,000 km over 36 months applies. A charge of 12 cents per km over mileage restriction applies, plus applicable taxes. ($0/$1,500/$3,000/$4,500)/($0/$1000/$2000/$3,000) down payment or equivalent trade required. First month's payment and $0 security deposit required. All offers exclude freight ATTENTION $1,200/$1,150, license, insurance, registration, PPSA, administration fees and all applicable taxes. **No Security Deposit on all 2006 Ford vehicles (excluding 2006 and 2007 F -Series Chassis Cabs, Shelby Mustang GT, GRADS! Ford GT, Medium Trucks and LCF) effective October 3rd, 2006 through January 2nd, 2007. Security Deposit may be required based on customer credit terms and conditions. t Based on Canadian Vehicle Manufacturer's Association statistical sales report, July 2006. fBased on Ward's statistical sales report, August 2006. Visit www.wardsauto.com. Dealer may lease for less. Limited time offers. Offers may be cancelled at any time without notice. Some conditions may apply to the Graduate Recognition Program. See Dealer for details. Ontario FDA, P.O. Box 2000, Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4