Turn thermostat down or off

Re How to turn up the heat, not the hydro bill,

Feb. 13 Ben Polley’s absurd assertion that those with electric heat should turn up the thermostat reveals he is either not the green expert he claims and/or he is on Premier Wynne’s payroll.

While it is true electric rates are lowest at night, anyone who has lived in Ontario for a few years knows they are higher than the base rate before time-of-day pricing was forced on Ontarians a few years ago.

While Mr. Polley has the deep pockets to retrofit his home to maximize energy efficiency, he is in the minority. Tenants do not have this luxury with the exception of the few blessed with willing and generous landlords.

Mr. Polley failed to mention that the financial advantage of baseboard electric heating is restricted to the capital cost. Operating cost is very high, as this is the most inefficient means of producing heat. If he really wanted to do Star readers a favour, he would have suggested they use floor heating, radiant panels or convection heaters.

From my personal experience as a long-term tenant with no choice but to have all electric heat, the most efficient and cost-effective method has been a combination of portable convection and an electric blanket. I know from comparing with my friends who have similar living conditions that I have saved thousands of dollars in the past few years.

Turning the thermostat down or off is how to save money on an electric bill. Turning it up is how you make friends with OPG executives, shareholders and Premier Wynne. Mark Robinson, Port Colborne, Ont.

Horror show keeps rolling

Keeping up with Trump and his administration is like watching a horror movie. You shut your eyes, but can’t keep them closed. You need to see what happens next, even as you know that you will be horrified. Dina Moyal, Innisfil, Ont.