# Yes, I know, never sign a contract at your door, but...... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 27, 2015, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007 "2015-08-27T01:26:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/21 "2015-08-27T12:57:38Z")
Yeah, buying your heating from a guy going door to door never struck me as a great idea. Everyone I know who fell for it, deeply regretted it, so I think you dodged a bullet, to be honest! ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/22 "2015-08-27T13:37:23Z")
> [@Habeed](#): > > Well, it’s a shame you are not able to upgrade your place to reduce your energy consumption. > > Per [this](https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=most_efficient.me_cac_ashp) website ([energystar.gov](http://energystar.gov)), the Fujitsu RLS3H is a heat pump that functions down to -15 farenheit … Ottawa got below that temperature a few times this past winter. Coldest winter in 115 years but getting that cold at least once or twice is to be expected. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/23 "2015-08-27T13:38:08Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I do have a wood stove in the basement. I did not buy wood last year. I’m the only one living here now after my separation and figured my energy prices would drop considerably. Instead I’m paying double what I did a few years ago when 4 people were living here. Somehow I need to find a way to get some wood this year. I did not expect back-to-back record cold winters. The price of wood has skyrocketed too though, as other energy prices have risen. Still, I will be looking for wood this fall. It may be too late at this point though. > > And in the mean time I need to sell this money pit! Yeah rattling around in a place that’s too big to live in or heat is not fun at all. A face cord (8’x4’x16") runs ~$100 so if you could grab 4 to heat with you’re still ahead of the game. Even if I’m out bya factor of 2 you’d be good. These guys are in Almonte but I can’t find prices for their face cords. [http://www.firewoodontario.com/](http://www.firewoodontario.com/) Splitting your own at this point will just give you green wood that wont be any good until next year. ---
**Author:** ![Mithras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mithras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mithras)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/24 "2015-08-27T13:48:49Z")
Isn’t there somewhere online you can go to shop for a supplier that isn’t trying to pressure you into signing up before you do any research? I’m not in Canada, but here there’s a state-run website that’s easy enough to use and it’s definitely worth it to switch suppliers. The guys who go door to door are the most likely to ignore my no soliciting sign and always sound scammy. Last time they led with a line about protecting my energy. Not feeling that there was any threat to my electricity, I told them I’m aware of how to shop for a supplier and ended the conversation. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/25 "2015-08-27T16:50:16Z")
Electric heat was the boon of the 1950s that became the boondoggle of every decade after, and it’s only gotten dogglier, and headed for doggliest. I can’t think of any downside to switching to whatever heating option you can - propane is best, oil is better, even variations on wood (pellets, f’rex) are at least cheaper. Sacramento built two or three “all electric” subdivisions ca. 1970 and the houses were snapped up because the local nuke plant was going to make electricity almost free. Around 1985, with homeowner contributions to the cost, they finally laid in natural gas and almost everyone converted. The local nuke, a twin of those at TMI, was mothballed just after that, having never run at more than 50% capacity. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/26 "2015-08-27T17:10:52Z")
Just fyi, running at or around 50% capacity wasn’t particularly strange up until the 80s. > **[Resources-Archive](https://www.nei.org/resources/resources-archive?type=pie_chart)** > > Nuclear Energy Institute ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/27 "2015-08-27T17:27:52Z")
Rancho Seco\* was plagued with problems from the start-up and never managed more than partial capacity for related reasons - not throttling. It was shut down by referendum. “Dry Ranch,” or, more jocularly/in the vernacular… “Juiceless Ranch.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/28 "2015-08-27T19:02:19Z")
> [@Grey](#): > > Yeah rattling around in a place that’s too big to live in or heat is not fun at all. > > A face cord (8’x4’x16") runs ~$100 so if you could grab 4 to heat with you’re still ahead of the game. Even if I’m out bya factor of 2 you’d be good. These guys are in Almonte but I can’t find prices for their face cords. [http://www.firewoodontario.com/](http://www.firewoodontario.com/) > > Splitting your own at this point will just give you green wood that wont be any good until next year. Thanks for that Grey. I have a neighbour down the street who also has an Almonte contact. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same one. Say, how did you know I’m near Almonte? I will be getting some wood, if there’s any left in October when I can afford to buy it. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/29 "2015-08-27T19:03:59Z")
BTW. I called the scammers this morning and they said that I should be getting an email confirming my cancellation by Monday, and if not to call back. We’ll see how that goes. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/30 "2015-08-27T20:16:26Z")
For those who are interested, I pulled my last electricity bill and I did some calculations for the months of Jan., Feb., and Mar., 2015. The bill shows average daily usage in the three price zones. I compared the electricity costs only, excluding delivery charges, taxes, blah, blah, blah. I would have saved $140 on electricity charges if I went with the new supplier. Fairly insignificant over a three month winter period, and I’m sure the new supplier would have some sort of administrative charges tacked onto their bill, so overall it really wasn’t worth it to switch. And if this winter is a “normal” winter I’m sure there would be a savings with my current provider. Last winter was a bitch! ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/31 "2015-08-27T21:15:40Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Tonight, for the first time ever, I signed a contract (which I can cancel if I change my mind within 30 days) for what appears to be a cheaper electricity rate. > > I asked question, I got answers. The guy was wearing ID and I also spoke to a customer service rep on the phone. > > So, Googling this company, people have said it’s a scam, but I don’t know how. > > I heat with a forced air electric furnace. My electricity rates here in Ottawa have been through the roof over the last couple of years, so much so that I can’t really even keep up, although I’m trying. > > We have a time-of-use policy with my current provider. The rates are as follows: > > On-peak - 16.1 cents per KWH > Mid-peak - 12.2 cents per KWH > Off-peak 8.0 cents per KWH > > The summer hours for the above are: > On-peak - 11am - 5pm > Mid-peak - 7am -11am and 5pm-7pm > Off-peak - 7pm - 7am and weekends and holidays > > The winter hours for the above are: > On-peak - 7am -11am and 5pm-7pm > Mid-peak - 11am - 5pm > Off-peak - 7pm - 7am and weekends and holidays > > I know this is a lot to take in. As you can see, the winter heating rates, and the summer cooling rates are essentially switched. I have no air conditioning. > > This company is offering me a blended rate of 8.79 cents per hour at all times. I believe this should be a huge savings for me in the winter when, even with a programmable set-back thermostat my bills have been HUGE. Like, I’m talking $700 - $800 a month in the winter. The furnace runs about 14 hours a day and can’t help but run in peak hours at 16.1 cents per hour. > > I was informed that all other delivery charges would remain the same. So, if it’s a scam, what am I missing? Maybe if you don’t heat with electricity the savings will never materialize? But, most people cool with electricity and there should still be a savings?? My mom just signed with an alternate energy provider, and it’s saved her money. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/32 "2015-08-28T00:17:06Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Thanks for that Grey. > > I have a neighbour down the street who also has an Almonte contact. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same one. Say, how did you know I’m near Almonte? > > I will be getting some wood, if there’s any left in October when I can afford to buy it. Hope it works out. As for Almonte, given you were at AECL and not in Ottawa and you commute…I guessed. Well that and Carp and Renfrew had terrible websites. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2015, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/33 "2015-08-30T02:10:48Z")
I got email confirmation today that the contract is canceled. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2015, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/34 "2015-08-30T02:22:10Z")
Good. And you’ve done your civic service by wasting a parasite’s time. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2015, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/35 "2015-08-30T04:17:51Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Good. And you’ve done your civic service by wasting a parasite’s time. Good description. I switched to a third party gas company (Caif, PG&E). When I got my bill yes the gas rate was less. But I still had to pay PG&E a delivery rate and when added to the gas rate the total was about 145% of just buying the gas from PG&E. And they tried to pull a fast one. I was told I could cancel any day. And when I did cancel they wanted to charge me a early cancelation fee. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2015, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/36 "2015-08-30T04:25:36Z")
> [@Honey](#): > > My mom just signed with an alternate energy provider, and it’s saved her money. For now. We did too: they were out of business in less than two years ☹ ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2015, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/37 "2015-08-31T21:18:12Z")
**Leaffan** , are you factoring in the [rebates](http://www.homeperformance.com/ontario-solar-rebate-grants-for-solar-hot-water-heaters) that are available? I know money is tight but by doing what you can to increase your house’ energy efficiency it is more marketable and cheaper to live in. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007/38 "2015-09-04T01:12:07Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > **Leaffan** , are you factoring in the [rebates](http://www.homeperformance.com/ontario-solar-rebate-grants-for-solar-hot-water-heaters) that are available? > I know money is tight but by doing what you can to increase your house’ energy efficiency it is more marketable and cheaper to live in. Thanks. If I was staying here it might be worth looking into. But I’m planning to be out of here in less than a year. Cheers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-i-know-never-sign-a-contract-at-your-door-but/729007.md?page=1)