July 20, 2010

PowerStream has a line on how customers should dry clothes
Utility’s ‘Power Down Your Summer Electricity Costs’ campaign continues

VAUGHAN, ON ~ PowerStream has a line on how customers can be mindful of their electricity use when doing their laundry over the next few months as the utility continues its ‘Power Down Your Summer Electricity Costs’ campaign.

The campaign, which began the first week in July, is being run by PowerStream to help customers avoid high electricity bills that may occur as a result of recent increases in electricity prices across the province by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) , the implementation of Ontario’s Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and an expected hotter than average summer.

PowerStream conservation officials contend customers can better manage their electricity costs by simply using clothes lines to dry garments instead of their dryers. They maintain hanging clothes out to dry will not only eliminate the electricity consumption from the dryer, but will also help customers with air conditioning save additional money since the appliance will not be wasting freshly air conditioned air for drying while drawing cool air from within the home.

John Sherin, PowerStream’s, Manager of Conservation and Demand Management, says many consumers like the convenience of simply throwing their clothes in the dryer after washing them, rather than carrying the laundry out to the line.

“Making the effort to use a clothes line to dry clothes can go a long way,” Sherin said. “Not only will you save money but when you hang clothes on the line you typically sort the laundry as you hang it saving you a step or two like having to bend down on your hands and knees to find that missing sock stuck somewhere in the dryer.”

Although all manufacturers have tried to replicate the scent, there is not a fabric softener on the market that can truly make clothes smell as fresh as the outdoors. Hanging laundry on the line has added benefits in that the sun will make whites much brighter without using chlorine bleach and it helps eliminate that pesky musty smell, which never seems to wash out of towels.

“For customers concerned about coloured clothes fading in the sun, the solution is to hang the clothes inside-out or hang them out on overcast days,” Sherin added.

Additional information on how to “Power Down Your Summer Electricity Costs” as well as details on conservation programs currently offered by PowerStream, such as peaksaver^® and the Great Refrigerator Roundup, are available on the company’s website at www.powerstream.ca/powerdown.

About PowerStream Inc.
PowerStream is the second largest municipally-owned electricity distribution company in Ontario, providing service to more than 320,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. The communities served include Alliston, Aurora, Barrie, Beeton, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Markham, Penetanguishene, Richmond Hill, Thornton, Tottenham and Vaughan. PowerStream is an incorporated entity, jointly owned by the City of Barrie, the City of Vaughan and the Town of Markham.

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Media Contact
Eric Fagen
Director, Corporate Communications
PowerStream Inc.
Office Phone: 905-532-4522
Media Line (24/7): 905-532-4400
Email: eric.fagen@powerstream.ca