SaskPower is giving away 50,000 block heater timers to help Saskatchewan motorists conserve energy this winter.
SaskPower president and CEO Robert Watson says if every recipient of a block heater timer were to reduce their plug-in time from 12 to four hours a night, the total power saved will be over four megawatts.
That's enough electricity to power over 450 homes for a year or the equivalent of removing more than 700 vehicles from Saskatchewan roads.
Research shows that a well-maintained vehicle only needs to be plugged in for four hours before it is started on days when temperatures drop below minus 15C.
SaskPower says drivers who use a block heater timer can lower their electricity costs by about $65, on average, each winter.
The free block heater timers will be distributed over three weekends in November and December at the following retailers:
Nov. 26-27 and Dec. 3-4
• Rona (Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert)
• Co-op (Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert)
• Sears (Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert)
• Peavey Mart (Assiniboia, Estevan, Humboldt, Kindersley, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current)
Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10-11
• Canadian Tire (Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, North Battleford, Estevan, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Prince Albert, Weyburn, Humboldt and Melfort)
