Use Power When It's Cheapest
Time-of-day (TOD) rates work by billing a rate more reflective of the actual cost of making and delivering power at different times, meaning power is cheapest overnight and on weekends and holidays when overall demand on the energy system is lower. Power is also more expensive during winter days, when demand is the highest.
In order to qualify for the TOD rate, you must have an electric-based space heating system that has the capacity to store heat with appropriate timing and controls in place and approved by Nova Scotia Power. (ETS)
Time-of-day base charge: $19.17/month
Cost is measured in ¢/kWh. All costs are based on rates of Feb. 2, 2023.
Time Clocks Save You More
By installing a timer, it allows you to use appliances at off-peak hours to save on money. By doing laundry, or running the dishwasher after 11pm or on weekends will save you money during off-peak hours. Save over 50% per kilowatt as per the table above. The timer allows you to set your air conditioner or heavy-duty appliances including heaters, pumps, fans and lamps to automatically turn on and off, helping you to save energy and money, while adding convenience to today's busy lifestyles. Ask Ignite Energy more about these time clocks to make your home or business more energy-efficient.
Energy Myths Revealed
Myth 1:
It’s more efficient to leave a room at a constant temperature than turning the heat down overnight (or when you’re not home)
Fact 1:
It takes less energy to warm up a cold room in the morning than it does to maintain a constant temperature throughout the night. If you have baseboard heaters, know that they supply heat to each room individually. If you have thermostats in separate rooms, you can use the concept of "zones" to heat certain areas of your home more than others, which saves up to 20% in heating usage compared to heating both occupied and unoccupied areas. Be sure not to vary the temperature between rooms by more than 2C.
Look through your house at the beginning and end of the day to make certain your heat use matches your room use. Close doors to rarely occupied rooms and areas.
Myth 2:
Turning the thermostat up higher than the desired temperature makes the room heat up faster.
Fact 2:
It takes the same amount of time for the temperature to reach 20 degrees whether the thermostat is set at 20 or 30 degrees.
Myth 3:
Changing my energy use will not result in worthwhile savings.
Fact 3:
You can save hundreds of dollars each year by turning off lights, TVs and computers when they’re not in use, lowering thermostat settings when away and washing clothes in cold water. Take a look at Efficiency Nova Scotia's energy calculator to spot energy saving opportunities.
Myth 4:
Insulating my attic or basement will cause more heat to leak out of the windows.
Fact 4:
Adding insulation to one part of a home saves energy and will not increase heat loss elsewhere.
Myth 5:
Leaving a ceiling fan on will cool the room even when you’re not there.
Fact 5:
Fans work by cooling the skin, not the air in a room. Fans move the air which helps to evaporate moisture on the surface of the skin, making you feel cooler. Since fans don’t actually change the air temperature there is no need to have them running if you aren’t in the room.
Myth 6:
It’s more efficient to leave lights on rather than turning them off because flicking the switch uses so much energy.
Fact 6:
It’s always more efficient to turn the lights off when the room is not being used.
Myth 7:
It’s better to leave your computer running all the time because turning it on uses so much energy.
Fact 7:
You always save energy when you turn your computer off when it’s not in use. Enable the sleep function to conserve energy during brief periods of inactivity.
Myth 8:
Food will cook faster on the stove if you leave the setting on ‘high’.
Fact 8:
Leaving the setting on ‘high’ does not cook food any faster. Using a lid however will bring the water to a boil faster. Once water is boiling, save energy by turning the heat down and maintaining the boil with the pot covered.
Myth 9:
When my TV, DVD player, stereo and computer are turned off, they are not using any electricity.
Fact 9:
These electronic devices use standby power even when turned off. Over a year, this could cost you more than $100. Use a power bar to turn them off completely when they’re not in use.