CURRENT FOR HEATING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18711, 17 May 1924, Page 12

CURRENT FOR HEATING.

WELLINGTON RESTRICTIONS.

ALL HOT-POINTS CURTAILED.

CHANGE TO HIGHER VOLTAGE

The restrictions on , the use of electric radiators, domestic irons, etc., imposed by the Wellington City Council, are causing some concern in that city, which is in much the same position a3 it was last winter in respect to heating connections. Consequently the same precautions are to be taken by users in economising in the use of hot-points for irons or vacuum cleaners, motors, or radiators during the next three months between 4 and 6 p.m. —the peak-load hours. No permit for the use of radiators or hot-points has been issued for some little time past, and all applications for the same are being declined at present. Only recently one new Government building applied for the installation of 144 radiators, fully expecting that, on what had been published, there would be no difficulty in getting the order fulfilled. Great surprise was expressed when it was learned that there was not tfie remotest chance of the application being favourably entertained.

An inquiry as to the reason for the restrictions elicited the statement that no applications for heating connections of any kind were being granted, no matter for whom they were wanted. The reason given was that at peak-load times the station was running up to the limit of its capacity, and to ask the plant to do any more would be courting a break-down, which would be most serious with the middle of winter approaching. When it was pointed out that many customers expected to be supplied with electric power for heating this winter, it was explained that while, with the Evans Bay station running to its full capacity there would be any quantity of power, the lighting and heating department was unable to take advantage of the situation ' because the city was not yet reticulated for the higher voltage that was coming along, and which was to be supplied by the new powerhouse as well as the Government station at Mangahao. Until such reticulation was accomplished, and the system made safe for the new voltage, the department could not take advantage of the new station as far as the heating requirements of the city were concerned. That would be the case for at least three months to come. When the pressure of the winter demand slackened off a little, the department might, be in a position to consider applications for hot-points.