UK Home energy prices

[tabascoboy]

Just has my projected spend estimate for the new capped variable tariff rates from the separate electricity and gas suppliers coming to a combined annual total of around £2 000 for the year, based on the same usage over the last year. Around 65% higher than when I was on the beneficial fixed rates that ended last March.

[Glaston]

Germany nationalises gas giant amid energy crisis

Germany is to nationalise gas giant Uniper in an effort to secure energy supplies amid the war in Ukraine.

The deal will see the German government take on a 98.5% stake in the firm at a cost of €8.5bn (£7.4bn).

Germany is Europe's biggest importer of Russian gas, and has been particularly squeezed as Russia has reduced supplies in recent months.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62980158

It was on the verge of going broke. They had little choice in the matter.

[tabascoboy]

Experts, the fuck do they know?

The UK’s geology won’t support UK fracking, claims expert

We’re 55 million years too late for hydraulic fracturing to work in the UK

The UK’s geology is unlikely to be suitable for hydraulic fracturing, research by a Scottish university has discovered.

Professor John Underhill, Chief Scientist at Heriot-Watt University, revealed that while opponents of fracking continue to focus on the environmental impact of this method of oil and gas extraction, the geology of the UK doesn’t support it.

Professor Underhill explains: “Both sides of the hydraulic fracturing debate assume that the geology is a “slam dunk” and it will work if exploration drilling goes ahead. Public support for fracking is at an all-time low of 17% based, in the main, on environmental concerns but the science shows that our country’s geology is simply unsuitable for shale oil and gas production. The implication that because fracking works in the US, it must also work here is wrong.

More at https://www.energymanagermagazine.co.uk ... ms-expert/

Fracking won’t work in UK says founder of fracking company Cuadrilla
Chris Cornelius says geology is too challenging and government’s support is merely ‘soundbites’

Fracking in the UK will be impossible at any meaningful scale and will not help with the energy price crisis, the founder of the UK’s first fracking company has warned.

Chris Cornelius, the geologist who founded Cuadrilla Resources, which drilled the UK’s first modern hydraulic fracturing wells in Lancashire, told the Guardian that he believed the government’s support for it is merely a “political gesture”.

“I don’t think there is any chance of fracking in the UK in the near term.”

He said that when Cuadrilla had operated here, it had discovered that the geology of the UK was unsuited to widespread fracking operations. “No sensible investors” would take the risk of embarking on large projects here, he said. “It’s very challenging geology, compared with North America [where fracking is a major industry].”

Unlike the gas-bearing shale deposits in the US, the shale resource in the UK is “heavily faulted and compartmentalised”, making it far harder to exploit at any scale.

More at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... -cuadrilla

[Insane_Homer]

[Raggs]

I've not bothered reporting our meter for a while, they're over estimating our usage. Once it becomes expensive I'll put them right and save a few bob.

[C69]

I've just looked at the pricecap and my current tarrif. Jebus my gas is going up by 1/3 .
I reckon my bills are going to be at least £370 pcm. Ouch.

Well I reckoned wrong it is near to £450pcm.
Jebus

[C69]

Oh amy fecking combi boiler is broken and I need a new one.
Bollocks

[Insane_Homer]

[Insane_Homer]

Don't forget to do your meter readings today

[Raggs]

Don't forget to do your meter readings today

Not whilst my energy company is overestimating my usage!

[tc27]

Obviously a bit OT but rumours swirling a major European investment bank is about to collapse..lots of people saying its Credit Suisse.

[Grandpa]

Don't forget to do your meter readings today

I forgot... did it today... too bloody late...

[Hal Jordan]

I've got until the 5th, for some reason.

[TB63]

Just got my monthly bill from Octopus. Meter read and submitted..
Electric 69, gas 27, ok, so the heating will be going on soon, but with the woodburner can only see it being used in the morning.
Seeing as they're taking 216 a month, think I'll be nipping that payment down 100 for the future, also 400 in credit ATM...

[inactionman]

The gross return ignores the costs, which is why I said the net is return including costs is what matters.

Very much so. My mate had a system installed about 10 years ago and reckons it pretty much paid for itself within
8 years due to the amazing feed in tariff he is still getting and is guaranteed for 25 years. On a lesser note he has just had his house valued and the surveyor reckoned that systems over 10 years old don't really add anything to the value and are actually considered a bit of a liability.

My experience too. The feed-in tariffs at that time were pretty healthy, and of course there's the additional benefit of not importing as much electricity (slightly more tricky to calculate accurately). I try to only use the dishwasher/washing machine/iron when the sun is shining. I also have a smart switch on the immersion heater to divert all excess generated electricity to use the hot water tank as energy storage, so I've used zero gas for hot water for the last 6 months (apart from cooking).

As for maintenance of the system: none. Replacement: the original inverter died when it was about 7 years old, so I needed to replace that (can't remember the exact cost but it was a few hundred quid).

I might be looking to move in the next few years, so I'm disappointed to hear that people see having a PV system as a bit of a liability. With 10+ years of guaranteed income from FIT and only the occasional replacement of the inverter (literally plug it in, no electrician required), why is that a negative?

We were considering this, is it a relatively cheap thing to do, if you don't mind me asking? Assume it is just a controller and no real hardware required?

We're investigating having solar panels fitted but we're a little bit shaded by tress and the church opposite, although reckon we could make it work. I'd ideally like to drive the central heating off of the energy from the panels but it's gas central heating with no obvious way to do it.

We're in the 'exploring all options' phase as we've been in our house about 18 months and it's already proving a sod to keep warm. We just had the upstairs bathroom done and they had to open up into the eaves from the loft to run the pipes, there's no insulation anywhere. That should really be our first priority, that and the cupola which must be pissing heat out.

[inactionman]

I've just looked at the pricecap and my current tarrif. Jebus my gas is going up by 1/3 .
I reckon my bills are going to be at least £370 pcm. Ouch.

Well I reckoned wrong it is near to £450pcm.
Jebus

We're in pretty similar territory. Ouch and Jebus indeed.

[dkm57]

Just had all the curtains replaced yesterday. We went OTT and got posh, fitted, lined ones throughout the house (blackout) in the bedrooms. The difference in insulation was instantly noticeable and I had my best sleep in ages.

Just trying to find more ways to cut energy use/waste. I'd ever really considered that high quality fitted curtains would make such an instant and noticeable difference. Only thing I haven't done to this house is replace the double glazing with triple glaze, I was thinking it could be done sometime in the future but I'm now seriously thinking of going for it next year.

The solar panels haven't completely prevented us having to draw from the grid mainly due to replacing the Kero combi boiler with electric for hot water and heating. The Kero alone was costing around 300 a month at last year's prices, so between that and the solar supplying, at the very least, half the electricity means we've cut our monthly heating/lighting costs massively.

[Insane_Homer]

My new revised bill is ~£301 pm before rebate, on my usage I've calc'd £290 (above avg elec usage, but below avg gas usage) - they still owe me over £300 and usage should be lower since my son is at Uni now so 1 less shower per day and no PS5 going for 6hrs a day and we've just replaced the condenser dryer with a heat pump dryer. Going to stock up on wood for the wood burner for when we run out of gas. Will also look at using the pressure cooker more for winter meals.

[weegie01]

Just had all the curtains replaced yesterday. We went OTT and got posh, fitted, lined ones throughout the house (blackout) in the bedrooms. The difference in insulation was instantly noticeable and I had my best sleep in ages.

Just trying to find more ways to cut energy use/waste. I'd ever really considered that high quality fitted curtains would make such an instant and noticeable difference. Only thing I haven't done to this house is replace the double glazing with triple glaze, I was thinking it could be done sometime in the future but I'm now seriously thinking of going for it next year.

The solar panels haven't completely prevented us having to draw from the grid mainly due to replacing the Kero combi boiler with electric for hot water and heating. The Kero alone was costing around 300 a month at last year's prices, so between that and the solar supplying, at the very least, half the electricity means we've cut our monthly heating/lighting costs massively.

One of my sons has a flat in Edinburgh's New Town with the typical high ceilings and huge windows. One of the first thing my wife did was get heavy black out curtains for every window in the flat. Double glazing these flats is a virtual non starter and the curtains make a huge difference.

[weegie01]

Anyone with a woodburner should invest in a stove top fan, they make an astonishing difference.

[vball]

OVO just gave us ours. Lat year it was 83pounds per month and this year it is 91.However we are in credit for over 700 quid and my son has gone to Uni, so looks like our bills we actually be less.

Just bought little thermometer things. Readings are last night before living room fire went on were 13c in en-suite, 15c in kitchen, 14c in living room and16c in my office (very small so my heat is sufficent).
Oil central heating not gone on yet and will keep off for as long as possible (and then it only goes on for 1 hour in morning and 1 at night).
Outside temp is about 12c during the day so not cold yet.

Yours
tight-fisted Scotsman (are there any other types)

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Very much so. My mate had a system installed about 10 years ago and reckons it pretty much paid for itself within
8 years due to the amazing feed in tariff he is still getting and is guaranteed for 25 years. On a lesser note he has just had his house valued and the surveyor reckoned that systems over 10 years old don't really add anything to the value and are actually considered a bit of a liability.

My experience too. The feed-in tariffs at that time were pretty healthy, and of course there's the additional benefit of not importing as much electricity (slightly more tricky to calculate accurately). I try to only use the dishwasher/washing machine/iron when the sun is shining. I also have a smart switch on the immersion heater to divert all excess generated electricity to use the hot water tank as energy storage, so I've used zero gas for hot water for the last 6 months (apart from cooking).

As for maintenance of the system: none. Replacement: the original inverter died when it was about 7 years old, so I needed to replace that (can't remember the exact cost but it was a few hundred quid).

I might be looking to move in the next few years, so I'm disappointed to hear that people see having a PV system as a bit of a liability. With 10+ years of guaranteed income from FIT and only the occasional replacement of the inverter (literally plug it in, no electrician required), why is that a negative?

We were considering this, is it a relatively cheap thing to do, if you don't mind me asking? Assume it is just a controller and no real hardware required?

We're investigating having solar panels fitted but we're a little bit shaded by tress and the church opposite, although reckon we could make it work. I'd ideally like to drive the central heating off of the energy from the panels but it's gas central heating with no obvious way to do it.

We're in the 'exploring all options' phase as we've been in our house about 18 months and it's already proving a sod to keep warm. We just had the upstairs bathroom done and they had to open up into the eaves from the loft to run the pipes, there's no insulation anywhere. That should really be our first priority, that and the cupola which must be pissing heat out.

This is the one I got:
https://www.earthwiseproducts.co.uk/pro ... -wireless/

I think I got it for about £200, but I think it was a factory second or somesuch, as the price now seems to be £275. I think there's a non-wireless one for less (the non-wireless one needs to switch the immersion supply at the consumer unit, whereas the wireless one can have the switch anywhere, like on a mobile electric heater, which I thought would be more flexible.

I fitted it myself, just need to be sure you isolate things properly and can identify the main supply in to the house. Or a sparky could do it in about 10 mins probably.

[fishfoodie]

Anyone with a woodburner should invest in a stove top fan, they make an astonishing difference.

Yeah, good call !

Once it kicks in I open the door to the hallway, & by the time you're going to bed, upstairs has heated up too.

[C69]

Anyone with a woodburner should invest in a stove top fan, they make an astonishing difference.

Yeah, good call !

Once it kicks in I open the door to the hallway, & by the time you're going to bed, upstairs has heated up too.

I've go a couple of multifuel stoves.
Love the fans as well

[Blackmac]

Just had all the curtains replaced yesterday. We went OTT and got posh, fitted, lined ones throughout the house (blackout) in the bedrooms. The difference in insulation was instantly noticeable and I had my best sleep in ages.

Just trying to find more ways to cut energy use/waste. I'd ever really considered that high quality fitted curtains would make such an instant and noticeable difference. Only thing I haven't done to this house is replace the double glazing with triple glaze, I was thinking it could be done sometime in the future but I'm now seriously thinking of going for it next year.

The solar panels haven't completely prevented us having to draw from the grid mainly due to replacing the Kero combi boiler with electric for hot water and heating. The Kero alone was costing around 300 a month at last year's prices, so between that and the solar supplying, at the very least, half the electricity means we've cut our monthly heating/lighting costs massively.

We are doing the same. Just doing basic things like not filling the kettle too full, shorter showers, dropping the thermostat by a degree and keeping on top of lights can make quite a significant difference. We also ditched a chest freezer in the garage and decided we couldn't justify the £150 per month to run the hot tub (previously about £60). I also topped up the loft insulation by another 170mm and have just ordered radiator foil. We have even started leaving the oven door open after we use it.

Just had a look and we have saved 1200 kWh in gas and 500 kWh in electricity in just over 3 months which is already a 10% saving on our total yearly usage.

[dkm57]

Just had all the curtains replaced yesterday. We went OTT and got posh, fitted, lined ones throughout the house (blackout) in the bedrooms. The difference in insulation was instantly noticeable and I had my best sleep in ages.

Just trying to find more ways to cut energy use/waste. I'd ever really considered that high quality fitted curtains would make such an instant and noticeable difference. Only thing I haven't done to this house is replace the double glazing with triple glaze, I was thinking it could be done sometime in the future but I'm now seriously thinking of going for it next year.

The solar panels haven't completely prevented us having to draw from the grid mainly due to replacing the Kero combi boiler with electric for hot water and heating. The Kero alone was costing around 300 a month at last year's prices, so between that and the solar supplying, at the very least, half the electricity means we've cut our monthly heating/lighting costs massively.

We are doing the same. Just doing basic things like not filling the kettle too full, shorter showers, dropping the thermostat by a degree and keeping on top of lights can make quite a significant difference. We also ditched a chest freezer in the garage and decided we couldn't justify the £150 per month to run the hot tub (previously about £60). I also topped up the loft insulation by another 170mm and have just ordered radiator foil. We have even started leaving the oven door open after we use it.

Just had a look and we have saved 1200 kWh in gas and 500 kWh in electricity in just over 3 months which is already a 10% saving on our total yearly usage.

Its amazing how the little things soon add up. Shutting doors and windows, switching lights off, using a lamp with a lower wattage bulb instead of the main room light, only boiling what is required and rinsing mugs etc in cold water if they're going to be used again, drawing the curtains as the outside temp starts to drop and leaving the curtains in rooms we're not using closed, The curtains on the landing and halfway down the stairs can stay closed as far as I'm concerned especially when the whether is so sh!te. Living room is set at 20 cos missus has had Covid for the last week, rest of the house is set at 18.

[Biffer]

If I can put my holier than thou environmental hat on for a minute, a lot of this is what everyone should have been doing anyway to reduce their carbon footprint. They just couldn't be bothered and would rather let the planet go to shit.

[Hal Jordan]

Shell have read the room and said they'd be prepared to pay a windfall tax of some sort, probably judging that the Tories will go easy on them, but it's good PR. They're on our side, you see.

[dkm57]

If I can put my holier than thou environmental hat on for a minute, a lot of this is what everyone should have been doing anyway to reduce their carbon footprint. They just couldn't be bothered and would rather let the planet go to shit.

Very true and many were already or are being forced to learn. However some of the big changes cost money that folk simply don't have and there are some buildings that simply are beyond doing much with.

I'm currently looking at adding wind to my energy system but hunting through the mountains of online crap to find what I'm looking for is a frustrating slog.

[shaggy]

Shell have read the room and said they'd be prepared to pay a windfall tax of some sort, probably judging that the Tories will go easy on them, but it's good PR. They're on our side, you see.

OPEC countries are rubbing their hands. Competition gets taxed out of competitiveness whilst they keep the market prices high. Win win for them.

Interesting to see whether this impacts investment in Europe thus hampering their shift to self sufficiency.

[Hal Jordan]

OPEC seem to have access to a money printing machine whatever happens to the oil prices and political winds. The sooner we stop burning stuff the better, they are a delightful bunch of noted respecters of democracy and human rights.

[SaintK]

Be prepared!

Ministers are discussing launching a public information campaign to encourage households to reduce their energy use this winter as fears grow over winter blackouts.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/ ... discussed

[inactionman]

As an aside, there was talk of grants to help landlords improve energy efficiency of rentals, coupled with a requirement to get them all to EPC level D by a given date (I think). I mention just as I'd expect many rentals fall far below their potential from an energy efficiency standpoint as the bills are generally not the landlord's problem.

[tabascoboy]

Had the £66 energy bill support credited to my electricity account, but only been paying £62 pm since the last increase. Wish we'd had the option to credit the gas account instead but guess it would be a bureaucratic headache to sort out since not everyone has a gas supply.

[Lobby]

Be prepared!

Ministers are discussing launching a public information campaign to encourage households to reduce their energy use this winter as fears grow over winter blackouts.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/ ... discussed

I can just see JRM et al appearing on TV ads encouraging us all to save money and energy by turning off the heating in the servants' quarters, stables and any other out houses.

[Blackmac]

If I can put my holier than thou environmental hat on for a minute, a lot of this is what everyone should have been doing anyway to reduce their carbon footprint. They just couldn't be bothered and would rather let the planet go to shit.

Have to agree. I recycle like fuck and do everything else I can but I would have thought nothing about filling the kettle to full to make one cup of coffee or have loads of unnecessary lights on all over the house.

[Tichtheid]

If I can put my holier than thou environmental hat on for a minute, a lot of this is what everyone should have been doing anyway to reduce their carbon footprint. They just couldn't be bothered and would rather let the planet go to shit.

Have to agree. I recycle like fuck and do everything else I can but I would have thought nothing about filling the kettle to full to make one cup of coffee or have loads of unnecessary lights on all over the house.

There's lots of wee things - I started baking sausages because frying them involved adding oil.

pre heating an oven for twenty minutes and then running it for another twenty minutes for a sausage toastie in the morning is a stupid idea, when you think about it.

Not least for the fact it's a sausage, it may be "taste the difference" sausage, but it's still a fucking sausage.

[Raggs]

If I can put my holier than thou environmental hat on for a minute, a lot of this is what everyone should have been doing anyway to reduce their carbon footprint. They just couldn't be bothered and would rather let the planet go to shit.

Have to agree. I recycle like fuck and do everything else I can but I would have thought nothing about filling the kettle to full to make one cup of coffee or have loads of unnecessary lights on all over the house.

It really riles me when I see someone fill a kettle for a single cup of tea/coffee. Just one of those little things that irritates as you get older. I know I do things that aren't environmentally friendly too though, mostly leaving my computer on. Though at the moment, that's usually during the day when it's covered by the solar panels anyway. But that energy could be doing good elsewhere (even if we're getting paid a pittance for it).

[fishfoodie]

If I can put my holier than thou environmental hat on for a minute, a lot of this is what everyone should have been doing anyway to reduce their carbon footprint. They just couldn't be bothered and would rather let the planet go to shit.

Have to agree. I recycle like fuck and do everything else I can but I would have thought nothing about filling the kettle to full to make one cup of coffee or have loads of unnecessary lights on all over the house.

There's lots of wee things - I started baking sausages because frying them involved adding oil.

pre heating an oven for twenty minutes and then running it for another twenty minutes for a sausage toastie in the morning is a stupid idea, when you think about it.

Not least for the fact it's a sausage, it may be "taste the difference" sausage, but it's still a fucking sausage.

I bought myself a new slow-cooker a few weeks ago; between it & the air fryer, I think the oven will have cobwebs inside it !

The added advantage of the slow-cooker, is cuts down on you peak time power usage, which helps everyone.

Fill the slow-cooker, & freeze the extras, & you fill your freezer, & cut your power usage there too, & you can just microwave the reheats.

[Line6 HXFX]

Surprise surprise..the British would much prefer finger jabbing, screaming about personal responsibility and share useless energy saving tips whilst shareholders still rake in massive profits...than take to the streets and demand they nationalise the whole thing, and rip it out of the hands of the profiteers, who have zero problem with letting many of their customers freeze to death.
If you tolerate this, your children will be next.