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I have a small bungelow in Cape Breton NS, and am considering the option from the Nova Scotia Power Co to install ceramic/resistance heat storage units that store heat on “off peak” times and give it back as needed. This installation requires a new “electronic” meter in place of the mechanical one. This enables them to monitor usage and they offer 4 cents per kh instead of the usual 8 cents. The house is well insulated and will have all new Polytech windows. Does anyone have any info they will share on this? GB
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Replies
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I've done it for some process equipment I operate. I can operate it on any schedule so it makes sense to use the cheaper power at night. But don't let the electric company talk you into using electric where you shouldn't. NG hot water and space heating will still be far cheaper. Even LPG or fuel oil (at 80% efficiency) would be cheaper, unless the electricity got down to about US$0.03/kwh. But if that's CAN$0.04/kwh, then eletric would be as cheap as LPG or oil, allow the use of cheaper electric water heaters and space heaters, and avoid the use of flues that make your house a lot less tight.
The easiest time-of-day shifting trick would be to have one large or two normal hot water heaters and a timer on them. But your space heating will be the bigger cost. Haven't seen "ceramic/resistance heat storage units" in use, but it sounds simple enough. Hope they subsidize it. At least to the point where it is as cheap as electric resistance baseboard heaters. -David
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David,
Thanks for the info. I really appreciate the breakdown of the costs. So far it has been 2 weeks and it is impossible to get a phone call from the power company. It seems that all the reps are too busy to return a phone call. They did respond to an email last week to tell me that it is typical to have to wait at least 2 weeks for a phonecall. Friday I sent another email and it has not been answered yet. Hell of a way to run a business. Must be nice to be without competition.
Down by the brook, GB
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I have a small bungelow in Cape Breton NS, and am considering the option from the Nova Scotia Power Co to install ceramic/resistance heat storage units that store heat on "off peak" times and give it back as needed. This installation requires a new "electronic" meter in place of the mechanical one. This enables them to monitor usage and they offer 4 cents per kh instead of the usual 8 cents. The house is well insulated and will have all new Polytech windows. Does anyone have any info they will share on this? GB