BOROUGH WATER-HEATING SYSTEM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 120, 17 April 1930, Page 2

BOROUGH WATER-HEATING SYSTEM.

(To tile Editor.) Sir, —About three years ago I was induced to scrap my water heating system, which was satisfactory except that it required a little stoking, and to instal an electric one in its place. I was assured that the latter system was in every way satisfactory and so it proved to be. The cost of installation was between £7 and £B. The monthly payment for the service was 10s, later reduced to Bs. So far so good, but a few months ago a workman appeared and'stated that lie was instructed to make a slight alteration in the electric wiring, with the result that the water heating is now most unsatisfactory. Yesterday, Sunday, there was one morning bath; that was the end of the hot water for that day. This morning, Monday, thero was one warm bath and, only tepid water for the rest of the day. I understand the water heaters are now disconnected when a peak load comes along. It is evident that the engineer has decided on a low constant for the normal electric load and immediately this is exceeded off go the water heaters; any peak is thus eliminated and the Power Board have small chance of profit from the borough. Now the authorities may tliink this a very clever dodge, but it is not keeping faith with the consumers and it is certainly not service. I noticed in the report of the council . accounts that the electric departs ment returned a handsome profit. ,Tlie Mayor and engineer seemed quite pleased about it. The surplus is evidently obtained in some measure by robbing the water, heaters and they should know that in public services service is required before surplus, and that no acumen can bo attributed to them where profits are made at the expense of service. I presume a log is kept at the power house. Can such records be viewed by the ratepayers by paying a fee as is done in some other public services? It would be most interesting to know what the normal constant load is and what is the difference between the constant, the point' where . the heaters are switched off and the highest peak reached, also at what times the heaters are switched off and for, what periods they are off. Of course, I know I could get some of this information by putting a’galvanometer in in parallel, but this would necessitate some trouble and careful' watching for a few days, so I hope that some of our councillors, will ask that a copy of the power house log, as affecting water heaters, be supplied to the first meeting of the council in each month. My hot water system, including the piping, is wholly felt-covered, but when results are so poor under present atmospheric temperatures it apparently will be practically useless when we reach the middle of winter unless the powers that be can spare a little more current. I may say that I am quite willing to pay the extra 2s a month to obtain the service originally assured me.—l am, etc., CALOR. Palmerston North, April 14, 1930., . . When the above letter was referred to . the borough electrical engineer (Mr J. W. Muir) he stated that this particular consumer might have a grievance, due, perhaps, to a Ideal fault, and any complaint to the proper quarters would be attended to. Mr Muir said that there were quite a number of consumers who had changed over to the new system who had expressed themselves as being quite satisfied. Others were asking for a change to be made from the old methods, as their friends had told them of the improvement under the new conditions. The heaters already switched were not off longer than two hours a day, whereas under the old system of switching in connection . with the lighting system four hours would be the time.