ELECTRICITY CHARGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18887, 9 December 1924, Page 10

ELECTRICITY CHARGES.

DOMESTIC SUPPLY RATES-

NEW TARIFF APPROVED.

FOSTERING USE OF POWER.

ONE METER FOR ALL NEEDS.

.A now scale of charges, for electricity for domestic purposes has been approved by the Auckland Electric Power Board. Tho new rates will apply at onijio to all new consumers, and also to present consumers if they so desire. As Qonsumers are at prestnt paying the summer rate of 3d a unit for domestic powcpr, the new tariff, which provides that (he first 25 units be paid for at the rate cff 5d a unit, will not become compulsory until April 1, 1925.

The existing rates for domestic power are 5d a unit in winter asd 3d a unit during the summer months. Under the new arrangement the rat adopted are based orr eight periods of. six-weeks, and the charges per unit for each period will be 5d for the first 25 u/nits used, 3d for the next 25 units and for each additional unit. This is equivalent to 5d a unit for tho first 200; units used, 3d a unit (or the next 2CO units, and l|d a unit for the balance of a. year's consumption. No meter rent will be charged. Electricity for vat-er heating will .be supplied at a fiat rate of from £6 to £10 a year, depending upon household requirements. Tlia consumption will not be metered, as tho heating element .will operate continuously, except during t'l-ee hours daily, dv/ring the period ol peak load, when the current will bo cut off and restored automatically by a clock switch, provided by the board free of charge. A 5 per «ent. cash discount will be allowed on accounts paid within 14 days. It is stated that where the yearly consumption is 1277 units, the annual cost will be £4 17s 5d under the new schedule, a reduction of Is 7d on , the existing rates, and that a reduction from £5 17s 6d to £5 lis 4d is entailed when 330 units are consumed. The average cost for lighting and ' ironing, based on existing consumers' demands, is assessed at approximately lip for a winter period of six weeks and 8s for a summer period. The plan provides for the supply of electricity for all domestic purposes through one meter at one scale of charges. Consumers at present supplied through two meters will probably find it advantageous to change to tho now method of charging from tlio beginning of the next quarter.