Heating Tips

• Ensure your house has adequate insulation (including basement) and weather-stripping.
• Use a programmable thermostat to control your heaters, they can be set to start before you get up or come home and set to turn down after you leave or go to bed.
• It is a common misconception that heat flows up. In fact, heat will be drawn to any cold source regardless of direction. It is important to keep windows, doors and any foundation cracks properly sealed.
• Basements account for up to 1/3 of all heat loss so be sure to insulate to at least R-12.
• Use a timer to control your block-heater in winter, 1-2 hours before starting your car is all that is required.
• Close doors to unused rooms and turn the thermostat down slightly to save energy. Some heat is required to avoid mildew, mold and condensation.
• Open drapes and curtains during the day to make use of the heat provided by the sunlight. Closing drapes and curtains at night will help to insulate the windows.
• Ensure ductwork and heaters are clean as dust and dirt can build up and restrict the airflow and decrease the efficiency of your heating system.
• Glass doors on fireplaces retain heat better than mesh screens. Dampers should be kept closed on fireplaces and wood stoves when they are not in use.
• Rule of thumb: For each degree you lower your thermostat in winter, you can save about 3 percent on your heating bill.
• When adjusting the thermostat by hand, remember that the house will not warm up or cool down any faster if you adjust the thermostat past the desired temperature.
• Make sure that mail slots on your exterior doors are sealed correctly. Even better, insulate and seal this opening and install your mailbox outside.
• Often overlooked in the home is the attic hatch. Ensure it is insulated and properly sealed to prevent heat loss.

Lighting Tips

• Use Timers to control indoor and outdoor lighting. This can also provide some security measures.
• Use fluorescent light instead of standard light when possible to take advantage of savings in energy. Fluorescent lights last longer than incandescent bulbs and provide the same amount of light at a lower operating cost.
• Ensure fixtures, bulbs and lamps are clean as dust and dirt can build up and reduce your light levels and decrease the efficiency of your lighting system. Remember to unplug or turn off the power before cleaning.
• Use lower wattage bulbs in areas which require less lighting such as sheds and entrance ways.
• Use motion sensor fixtures to switch on lights when needed. These are especially useful for safety and security around the entrances to your home.
• Dimmers provide energy savings and add diversity to your lighting options by allowing you to vary the level of light to suit your need. Ensure the appropriate lights which permit dimmers are used.
• Turn out lights when leaving a room. Contrary to popular belief, the switching process itself does not use extra energy. You will save energy by switching lights off in a room, even if you are leaving for only a short period.
• Use compact fluorescent lights (CFL’s) to replace your incandescent bulbs. A 75% savings for performing the same task, CFL’s also last longer.
• Choose LED holiday light strings for your outdoor lighting. Compared to some older style lighting that could consume 90-95% more energy.
• Night Lights can be an alternative to leaving lights on in certain areas at night, i.e. hallways.
  
  

For more energy saving tips, check out Natural Resource Canada's site for the Office of Energy Efficiency as well as Efficiency New Brunswick

To calculate the operating cost of any electrical appliance or tool, you must know three things:

• Power expressed in kWh (Watts/1000)
• Time expressed in hours
• Rate expressed in cents

For Example: To calculate the operating cost of a self cleaning oven.

• Power = 3200 watts (from label on appliance) divided by 1000 to arrive at kW which equals 3.2 Kw.
• Time = 2 Hours (depending upon personal use).
• Rate = 7.2¢
• Cost = 3.2 kW X 2 hours X 7.2¢
• Cost = 46¢

FAQ's

What is the $15.15 service charge for?

The $15.15 is a monthly service charge billed to all residential, commercial and small industrial customers. Prior to March 17, 2002, this amount was included in your energy charge. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with each account. These costs include meter reading, billing and payment processing.

Do you accept faxes for Electrical Wiring Permits?

Saint John Energy now receives all approved permits directly from the Department of Labour, it is not necessary for you to deliver these permits any longer. We do however, require contractors to complete a job information sheet for all three-phase services and all single-phase services greater than 400 amps.

My meter is inside - how does Saint John Energy obtain a reading?

In the event that a customer is not at home when the meter reader comes to read an inside meter, a meter reading postcard is dropped off. You may then call in your reading to our office to ensure you are billed for the proper consumption. If this card is not returned or the reading is not called in, the consumption for the month is estimated using the best available data.

Is it OK to attach a clothesline to a Utility pole?

No - per our customer service manual - no person shall attach wire, cables, antennas, light fixtures, clotheslines, signs, etc. to poles except with special authorization from Saint John Energy.