SmartHomeOwners

TORONTO:  Ontario's opposition says people are afraid to open their hydro bills since the HST added another eight per cent to electricity costs on July 1, and the unpopular sales tax isn't the only thing making power less affordable and monthly statements more confusing.

The Ontario government is spending billions of dollars to modernize what is says was a dirty and unreliable electricity system, costs that are being passed on to customers. At the same time, the province is also shutting down relatively cheap coal-fired generation and replacing it with much more expensive wind and solar power.

The Liberal government is also spending more than $1 billion to install so-called smart meters in people's homes that force them to switch to time-of-use pricing, with the highest price at peak demand times nearly double the rate people had been paying before.

The time-of-use pricing means customers see three separate lines for their electricity usage: on-peak, mid-peak and off-peak.

Hydro bills already list a dizzying array of charges on top of the actual electricity that's used, including delivery fees, a loss factor adjustment for power that you don't use but the utility loses, regulatory charges, a debt retirement charge and of course the HST.

What do they all mean?

The delivery fees are often as much or even more than the actual electricity used. They cover the cost of transmitting the power along high-voltage lines and then distributing it to your home on lower-powered lines.

The loss factor is a multiplier used by your local utility to offset the electricity that drains from the lines on the way to your house. You actually end up paying for electricity you never use. Toronto Hydro, for example, uses a loss factor adjustment of 1.0376 per cent.

The debt retirement charge, which averages about $5.60 a month for homeowners, is to deal with a $20-billion stranded debt from the former Ontario Hydro.

Another line on hydro bills is for regulatory charges, which includes 0.65 cents per kWh for a wholesale operations charge plus a charge of 0.03725 cents per kWh for one year to recover costs associated with funding conservation and renewable energy programs.

There's also the alphabet soup of provincial agencies and companies that make up Ontario's energy sector, which can make understanding your hydro bill a frustrating exercise.

In addition to Hydro One and Ontario Power Generation (OPG), there is also the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the Ontario Electricity Financial Corp. (OEFC) and the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).

What do they all do?

Ontario Power Generation has 12,000 employees and operates 65 hydroelectric, three nuclear and five thermal generating stations and two wind power turbines, generating about 70 per cent of Ontario's electricity. OPG's net income rose to $623 million last year from $88 million in 2008. It's asking for an increase in rates that it estimates would add $1.86 to the average monthly bill starting next March.

Hydro One, with 5,400 employees, owns and operates virtually all of Ontario's electricity transmission system, and had a net income of $470 million in 2009. The agency also doubles as a local distribution company (LDC) for 1.3 million customers in 79 smaller and rural communities across Ontario.

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), which has a $123-million budget and a staff of 450, is like the air traffic controller of the power grid. It operates the system in real time, monitoring demand and arranging for supply to be generated and directing the flow of electricity across the grid. The IESO adds .08 cents to each kilowatt hour consumers use.

A Local Distribution Company (LDC) is your local utility, such as Algoma Power, the Chapleau Public Utilities Commission or Toronto Hydro, which retail electricity to homeowners. The Ontario Energy Board gave LDCs an increase in their guaranteed return on equity this year of 10 per cent, but the regulator says their actual profits will be closer to three per cent than 10.

The Ontario Power Authority has 228 employees and a budget of $65 million a year. The OPA develops a long-term plan for the electricity sector and contracts needed generation in addition to designing and co-ordinating conservation programs.

The Ontario Energy Board is the regulator of the electricity system, and it also sets electricity prices for homeowners. It ensures that market participants in the natural gas and electricity sectors comply with regulatory obligations. Its $34.5-million budget _ $26 million of which goes to pay salaries for its 184 employees _ is funded by charges to natural gas and electricity industry participants.

The Ontario Electricity Financial Corp. (OEFC) was set up to deal with the $20-billion stranded debt from the former Ontario Hydro, a figure the Liberals say they've lowered to below $15 billion since they came to power in 2003.

The Electrical Safety Authority was another agency created when Ontario Hydro was dismantled by former premier Mike Harris. It describes itself as a not-for-profit, self-funded organization which charges fees for inspecting electrical installations in homes and commercial buildings. It has no apparent impact on home hydro bills.

Electronics are a vital part of our life.  And unfortunately, the use of electronics is growing every day thanks to cell phones, digital cameras, television, computers and thousands of other gadgets!  What does this mean for the environment?  It means more electronic waste - or e-waste - for our landfills.  Unfortunately, electronics contain a wide range of hazardous components such as mercury, lead, plastic, cadmium, etc.  So, what is an environmentally safe way to dispose of electronics?  Here are some safe alternatives to consider.

Can It be Refurbished?

If your electronic device can be refurbished, then try to find the nearest company that offers refurbished ___________ (you fill in the blank) and contact them about the device.  There are numerous companies and individuals that refurbish cell phones, television sets, printers, computers and laptops, and other devices.  The term "refurbish" basically means to rebuild and fix or replace broken parts, and then re-sell the device on the market.  It's a way to recycle that also gives consumers a more affordable option when buying certain electronics.  You might have to ship your device to an online company that does refurbishing...but please make sure the company is not involved in dangerous, unhealthy practices.  Some countries are known for not-so-green practices and actually release poisonous gases into the air when burning electronic items.  Not to mention their inhumane treatment of factory workers.  Make the sure the company is a reputable one before shipping your device.

Sell It

Another way to ensure the device gets future use is to sell it.  Of course, you won't be able to sell a broken device (except to someone who can repair it), but you can try to sell items that still work well at a yard sale or flea market, or through an online auction such as eBay or Craigslist.

Donate

Older computers, printers, FAX machines, etc. that still work can be donated to schools and other organizations.  Donations up to a certain value may be tax deductible.  You'll also be providing learning tools for students while saving money for taxpayers!

Recycle

Recycling is another option if your electronic device is more than five years old (outdated).  This means some of the item's plastic and parts can be reused to create other similar products.  Some manufacturers will take back older devices for recycling.  If not, there are organizations that specialize in recycling electronics.  This may be your best bet.

No matter what your choice, finding ways to keep electronics in circulation is the best method to reduce the "e-waste" problem and prevent unsafe practices that can harm the environment.  Even if you plan to throw away the device, ask your local recycling center for suggestions to do this safely.  Use these tips to ensure that your old electronics won't go to waste! 

In search for more energy-efficient ways to power your home, you might be considering solar panels.  Installing a solar powered system has advantages and disadvantages.  Also consider that there are various applications for solar panels.  For example, solar panels can be installed to supplement electrical, gas or oil heating/cooling systems. Or you might use solar panels to power a certain area of your home or maybe even a workshop in your back yard.  No matter what your plans for solar power, here are some pros and cons to consider.

Advantages of Solar Panels

For the big picture, solar panels help contribute to cleaner air in the environment around you when compared with using natural gas or oil.  Once installed, solar powered systems generally require very little maintenance.  If you choose wisely, you can get an amazing warranty with your solar panels.  Once you recover the initial investment, you can potentially enjoy years of savings on your home energy bills - perhaps even totally free energy!  Another "pro" to solar panels is they can be installed on the rooftop of your home, which eliminates the need to find or make extra space inside the home.
 
Depending on where you live, you may receive a financial incentive in the form of tax credits just for converting to a solar powered system or even just for buying a solar water heater or other similar products.  Tax credits can help reduce the initial expense by up to 30 percent.  You must, however, make sure the solar system you are considering is an approved company and application in order to receive a tax credit.

Disadvantages of Solar Panels

Solar panels for your home can also pose a few drawbacks.  Probably the greatest disadvantage is the initial cost of installation.  The initial investment may take several years to recover before you can start realizing the monetary benefits.  Also, the efficiency of solar panels depends on several factors including climate, the angle and direction of your home's roof, and the amount of pollution in the air.  Solar panels cannot provide energy 100 percent of the time unless backed up with batteries or your local power company.  If you want to be completely dependent on solar panels, you'll incur more expense up front for installation.  The batteries will need to be maintained and replaced occasionally.

Another disadvantage is solar panels tend to be less efficient in colder climates.  Homes in extremely cold climates usually have the greatest demand for electrical or fuel-based heating, so solar panels might not be a good solution for homes in these areas.

If your home is located in a favorable climate, has the proper roofing, and seems to be a good candidate for solar energy, then weigh these pros and cons carefully.  Solar panels can provide a smart, affordable source of energy under the right conditions!

The way people receive their news has changed dramatically in the last decade thanks to online news opportunities.  No longer do folks depend solely on the local newspaper, radio or television station to find out what's happening in their local town or around the world.  More and more people are going online to find news.  So where do you get your news?  Do you still subscribe to a local paper?  Do you check news sources online?  Do you watch news on television?  Or do you use all of the above?

According to a report from Pew Internet, about 59 percent of Americans get their news from both online and offline sources.  Although television news casts are still the largest source of news (according to 78 percent of Americans), online news ranked second place with 61 percent of Americans...just ahead of radio and newspapers.

Canada's consumers are also following the same trend toward online news media.  According to a Canadian Media Research Consortium (CMRC) survey, more than one Canadian in ten accesses news online several times per day.  For the age group 19 through 24, about three in four Canadians access their news online.  For heavy Internet users, the numbers increase drastically, with four in five users getting their news online.

So What's the Appeal?

CMRC's survey also reveals that a high number of consumers that get their news online say that Web news appeals to them because of the ability to click links and view more information (photos, video, etc.). This is particularly true among young readers, which provides a tremendous opportunity for news media sites to reach a new generation of readers.
 
A local newspaper might print one or two photos for a story, but the Internet enables news sites to post entire photo galleries for each big story.  Also, users can pick and choose which links they want to visit or skip by scanning one simple home page.  Viewing online news can be achieved in a flash; however, it's easy to become lost in the vast world of photos and videos if one's not careful!

Another fascinating feature of online news is consumers can participate in discussions on many of the news stories.

There's also a growing number of consumers that access the news via mobile phone, using social media, and through personalized Internet pages that allow the user to choose which media outlets they prefer.  Web users are growing accustomed to the convenience of news coming directly to their browser or phone through RSS feed or pages that are continually updated.

Local Newspapers....Hop Aboard!

Although the mainstream world news media has caught on quickly to Web news, many local papers have not.  They either don't have a website at all, or their website is barely functional enough to serve the fast-paced Web user.  Advertising is a key issue as well.  Some local newspapers are charging for both ads and subscriptions to access the paper online, while others provide only limited information for free and sell online ad space.  If they play their cards right, they can use the Internet to expand their newspaper and still provide news to those who prefer traditional methods.

If you're still pondering the thought of online news, give it a try.  You'll be amazed at the enormous amount of information the Web provides on a daily basis and even hour by hour!

In light of the recent oil spill that began on April 20, 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana, many are wondering about the potential local effects of this oil slick.  Local residents along the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and even as far as Florida (on the western coast) are keeping a close watch to see where the wind and sea currents will take the oil slick.

The Oil spill has already begun to affect many areas and local residents, particularly those who earn a living either near the coast or directly from the sea.  Professional and recreational fishermen are prohibited from fishing in certain areas for a minimum of 10 days as of May 2 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  Restrictions on fishing not only affect those who make a living doing so, but also the local economy as a whole.  Restaurants, fish markets and grocery stores are affected as well as those who transport fish products to other parts of the United States.  Many truck drivers depend on Gulf fishing for a living.

The oil slick also hinders tourism in areas that are either already being affected or areas toward which the oil slick appears to be drifting.  Tourists that plan their days around the beach may cancel their plans ahead of time because of the uncertainty of the situation.  There have already been reports of hotel and flight cancellations for some areas along the coast.  This affects local hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions that depend on tourism for an income during busy summer months.

The local wildlife may also be in danger as the oil slick draws closer to shore.  Land animals that frequent the water or go near the banks, birds and marine life can all be harmed or killed by oil exposure.  According to Roy Crabtree, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Administrator, "There are finfish, crabs, oysters and shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico near the area of the oil spill.  The Gulf is such an important biologic and economic area in terms of seafood production and recreational fishing."***

The U.S. Coast Guard is attempting to burn off areas of the oil, but some local residents have noticed an odor in the air from the burning.  This odor is unpleasant for those living in the area and can also further deter tourists.

Besides the direct effects on local residents and businesses, the oil spill is also costing local and federal governments as well as BP/Transocean more and more money as they try to find ways to stop the leak and clean up the oil slick.  This can also place strain on local residents and the economy for the long term just as natural disasters often do.

Folks may visit the following website for up-to-date photos, fact sheets and press releases:  www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com

***Quote taken from NOAA.gov website.