Ecombi- ETS- Ticket to comfort and Savings

With the cost of living continually going up, the cost of running a household becomes more of a challenge. The cost of heating your home is typically the second largest expense for homeowners. With more and more systems becoming available it may seem confusing when selecting a system for a new build or a retrofit. Upfront system cost, operational costs, maintenance costs, as well as environmental concerns are all factors when determining which heating system is best for your home. With declining dependence on oil, electric based systems are becoming the most popular choice. We have all heard of ductless heat pumps (mini splits) and we have seen these in homes in virtually every neighbourhood in the province, but there is also another great electric heating option available.

Electric thermal storage(ETS) room units have been around for years in Nova Scotia and are gaining popularity once again . The benefit of having an ETS system installed in your home is that you will receive approximately half price power on evenings, weekends, and holidays for all power used in your home through Nova Scotia Powers Time of Day (TOD) pricing structure. ETS heaters save you money by heating up a series of dense ceramic bricks when power is cheapest and releases the heat throughout the day. You can also benefit by controlling your electric hot water heater so it only heats up your water during the cheapest times. These systems can save you approximately thirty percent on your power bill as a stand alone system. ETS heaters are considered a primary heat source (unlike heat pumps which you still need a primary heat source) and for many models, no maintenance is required. There are also models in the marketplace (ECOMBI) that can replace existing baseboards using existing wiring.

The great part about ETS systems and mini splits is that they can be combined. A combination system is one of the most efficient and cost effective systems you can install in your home. You get the energy savings benefit from the mini split, as well as the discounted power rates from an ETS system. When combined these can save you 40 to 50 percent off of your existing home heating and power costs. These systems can also be financed directly on your power bill (OAC) when installed by a Nova Scotia Power Participating Contractor. More often than not your monthly savings will exceed your monthly finance payment.

By choosing the right heating system for your home you can keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket.