The Anguilla Electricity Company (ANGLEC) has moved to address complaints by consumers that they are paying too much for their power supply. The company has come up with a just-published booklet entitled “An Electricity Guide for Anguilla” aimed at helping persons, through various invaluable tips, to conserve energy and thus save money.

L-R: Mr. Neil McConnie and Mr. Steve Hodge

The company states that, like similar utilities elsewhere, it is suffering from escalating fuel prices, but points out that one of the ways to combat the situation is by conserving electricity.

The booklet, of which 6,000 copies have been printed for island-wide distribution, was launched by ANGLEC’S General Manager, Neil McConnie, at CuisinArt Resort and Spa on Wednesday, August 30. Those in attendance were senior staff members of the company and representatives of the local media.

ANGLEC’s senior staff members at launching of booklet. Radio Anguilla’s Ivor Hodge at extreme right

Mr. McConnie said that when many of the complaints were investigated, it was found that there were cases where appliances were not in a good state of operation and where conservation methods were not being practiced.

He listed a number of appliances which are high energy users such as water heaters, water pumps, air conditioners, electric cookers, ceiling fans, clothes dryers and washing machines. In addition to ensuring that all appliances are operating well and are using less energy, Mr. McConnie advised consumers that extended use of appliances would result in high electricity consumption. It was therefore expedient that ways of conserving energy should be found to avoid rising costs.

ANGLEC’s senior staff members at launching of booklet.

Among other matters, he suggested that persons should practice washing full loads of clothes in their machines rather than partial loads, thus reducing the length of operating time and the amount of electricity consumption. “We are advising that persons use their washing machines with prudence in order to avoid a rise in their electricity bill,” he said. He noted that about 68 percent of the complaints of consumers about high bills involved the use of refrigerators which were not operating well.

One of the simplest examples he gave of energy conservation was the use of compact fluorescent bulbs which have a low operating cost instead of regular incandescent bulbs which consume more energy.

Steve Hodge, who is attached to ANGLEC’S Engineering Department, also spoke at the launching of the guide booklet. He was responsible for gathering appliance data from retail outlets for use in the publication to show the volume of the equipment’s consumption of electricity and the cost involved. The appliance data is a ready source of reference information for homeowners and energy consumers.

Hodge said the high energy appliances, mentioned by McConnie, were those which consumers should keep an eye on in terms of energy conservation. “The whole idea is to try and help consumers to conserve electricity and save money,” he added.
More information will be given later.

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