Fuel comparison

Press, 2 June 1979, Page 2

Fuel comparison

Coal burned in modern space-heaters, particularly those approved for use in clean air zones, was the lowest fuel-cost method of heating in Christchurch. However, when the cost of heating appliances was taken into account, electricity was the cheapest heating method over all, said Dr N. J. Peet, a senior lecturer in chemical engineering at the University of Canterbury. A news item in “The Press” yesterday headed “Electric heating cheapest — report,”- quoted the findings of a report prepared by Dr Peet and others, which said that electricity was the cheapest over-all home-heat-ing method in Christchurch. However, Dr Peet said yesterday that the report had been released in September, and some aspects were now out of date, particularly because of the recent rise in electricity charges. The approximate cost of burning coal in a modem space-heater was 2.5 c per kilowatt hour of heat. But the capital cost added about another 1c per kilowatt hour, said Dr Peet. Electricity cost about 3.4 c per kilowatt hour, said Dr

Peet. This figure was the Municipal Electricity Department tariff. Dr Peet said that electrical appliances were the cheapest of all heating appliances, and added little to the direct cost of electricity used. Gas cost about 4.30 per kilowatt hour, but the Christchurch Gas Company had applied for a rise of 75 per cent on the domestic tariff and if approved this would increase the heating cost to about 4.6 c per kilowatt hour. Dr Peet said that oil and the open fire both cost about 4.5 c per kilowhtt hour. Oil could be somewhat cheaper in some of the latest types of heaters. If the “true” cost of production were charged to the consumer after the removal of subsidies, the price of coal and gas in Christchurch would be greater. On the other hand, said Dr Peet, if the lower cost of electricity generation in the South Island was also taken properly into account, the price of electricity would be lower, Commenting on the use of wood, Dr Peet said that any fuel which could be obtained “virtually for nothing” was obviously a cheap source of heat, but when bought in

sacks it was not very economic. Householders in Christchurch should use electricity carefully, with a thermostat control where appropriate, and ensure that their houses were well insulated. For most people this would minimise heating costs and at the same time reduce air pollution from open fires, said Dr Peet.