Power For Heating Water

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LXII, Issue 19, 11 March 1941, Page 3

Power For Heating Water

NO TIME SWITCHES TO

CONTROL IT

DIFFICULTIES DISCUSSED

In quite a number of houses throughout the board's district hot water services have been installed but because of the impossibility of obtaining time switches, the Springs-Ellesmere Power Board officials have not been able to connect them up and the householders are deprived of the use of these appliances. This was mentioned at the meeting of the board yesterday by Mr H. Neave, who asked if there was anything the board could do to help, as some of the householders were placed in a difficult position.

It was pointed out that it was not the fault of the board that time switches could not be obtained.

The engineer-secretary (Mr L C. Vicary) said that he would be quite willing to consider allowing the services to be connected up provided that there were reasonable safeguards that the occupiers would switch the current off at the specified time, but that seemed to be too much to expect.

The chairman (Mr R. T. McMillan) suggested that consumers where there were no time switches should be asked to give a bond as security that they would abide by the conditions.

The engineer said that there were; quite a number of such consumers. The cost of current for heat storage ranges was l-3rd of a penny per unit and the rate for water heating was the some. If the current were left on and a fresh peak made it would cost the board a great deal more for the next quarter for power, as the board was charged on its maximum load. If security were given, the consumer to lose it if found with the current turned on to the heater out of the stipulated hours, it might be alright.

The engineer was instructed to look into the matter and see what could be done; also to make further enquiries regarding time switches. .