A clean, affordable and comfortable heating solution.

You get a lot more than home heating with an Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) system. You get access to Nova Scotia Power’s Time-of-Day rates. And that can add up to major savings!

What is the Time-of-Day (TOD) Rate?

Nova Scotia Power offers a Time-of-Day (TOD) rate as an optional rate available to residential customers. Customers who qualify for the rate, can take advantage of low-cost electricity by focusing on the time-of-day the energy is used. The rate reflects the actual cost to generate the electricity and provides low-cost electricity during “off-peak” energy times. Various electric-based heating systems qualify for use with the TOD rate by storing heat and releasing it through appropriate timing and controls.

What do you mean by “off-peak” times?

There are different times throughout the day, and different seasons throughout the year when demand for electricity is higher. Nova Scotia Power must be able to produce and distribute enough electricity to meet these high demand “peak” times, but during low-demand or “off-peak” times, there is plenty of generating capacity available. To encourage customers to use the majority of their electricity during “off-peak” times, Nova Scotia Power offers the TOD rate.

How can I use the majority of my power “off-peak”?

There are various electric-based space heating systems that qualify for use with the TOD rate because they draw energy during low cost “off-peak” times and store the heat for release later in the day. This is known as thermal storage.

A traditional electric-based space heating system uses power on demand and draws electricity as it is needed, when it is needed. An electric-based thermal storage space heating system draws the majority of its energy during “off-peak” times and therefore saves you money.

How can I save money with these rates?

Your electric space heating and hot-water systems account for the majority of the electricity you use, so a significant way to save money is by using electricity at times when the lowest rates are in effect. You can do this automatically by using thermal storage for space heating and controlling your electric water heater. It’s easy to cut costs even more by using appliances like your washer, dryer and dishwasher during the “off-peak” period. Optional appliance controls can help you do this automatically. All these things mean savings on your total electricity bill!

Time of Day Rate Base Charge: $18.82/mth

Standard Residential Rate: Base Charge: $10.83/mth Energy Charge: 9.22¢/kWh (24hours/365 days)

All costs based on rates of April 01, 2005.

How do you know what to bill me?

Qualifying customers will have their regular meter replaced with a Time-of-Day (TOD) meter. A TOD meter records the amount of power used, the time of day the usage occurred, and the season that we are in. The TOD meter even keeps track of all holidays when power is half the standard residential rate. The TOD meter measures all activity requiring power and the customer is billed at the cost in effect when the power is used. As an example, a TOD customer doing their laundry on a weekday during the “on-peak” period is paying a premium price for the power they use. The same load of laundry during the “off-peak” is at half of the standard residential rate.

How can I qualify for the TOD rate?

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 approved by Nova Scotia Power.

Electric Thermal Storage heating systems are available as central heating systems (forced warm air, hot water baseboard, in-floor radiant or heat pump with back up ETS) or individual room units. ETS is exclusively electric with all the advantages of electric heat - clean, safe, comfortable, healthy heat - at a great savings over regular electric and oil heat costs. Unlike oil-fired heating systems, there’s no open flame or fuel storage tanks.

Comfortable And Simple.

ETS is a relatively new heating concept in North America, but not a new technology. It has been used successfully in Europe for more than 40 years. The system works much like a thermos bottle, allowing the storage of heat until it is needed.

ETS automatically delivers savings by storing up heat at night, when low rates apply. You save money keeping your home cozy and comfortable round the clock.

A system that’s right for you.

There are a number of electric based thermal storage systems that qualify for the TOD rate, such as Steffes Corporation’s Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) room unit heaters or ETS Central heating systems (hot water or forced warm air). If you find warm and cozy floors appealing, you may want to consider an in-floor radiant thermal storage system. If the idea of having a system that keeps you warm all winter and air-conditioned all summer, a combination heat pump/ETS system may be just what you are looking for.

And Nova Scotia Power offers easy on-bill financing to approved customers. Whether you are building a home or renovating your existing home, ETS is an affordable alternative and a warm way to save cold cash on your heating costs.

How Do I Find Out More?

For information on Nova Scotia Power’s Time-Of-Day rate and lease-to-own financing, call 1-800-428-NSPI (6774) or visit www.nspower.ca. To learn more about Electric Thermal Storage heating systems contact an ETS contractor in your area. You can locate a contractor by visiting our website.