Well, I think for the avearge person, there are two routes.jansman wrote: ↑Fri Aug 04, 2023 7:45 amThe thread is about the future, not right now. The price now is the price now.Frnc wrote: ↑Fri Aug 04, 2023 7:18 amLast summer, electricity generated by gas was costing 5 x more than electricity generated by offshore wind. But because of our pricing structure, we paid the same rate. The cost of electricity was driven up by the cost of gas, even if you were on a 100% renewable or nuclear electricity contract. It needs to be de-coupled.
The cost of heating a house is still cheaper using gas. However the balance last year would have shifted if electricity was decoupled. If it was decoupled, and gas price went up again, electric heating might be cheaper.
Part of the solution is:
1. A lot more renewable energy is in the pipeline, especially huge amounts of offshore wind. We won't need as much, if any, gas for electricity generation, and renewables electricity should get cheaper relative to electricity generated by gas (in fact it already is).
2. De-coupling.
3. INSULATION. This is not really feasible for individuals who have old houses, as the wallls need doing. They need help. It needs expert knowledge and logistics. Needs action on a national or at least local council scale, like the old council refurb grants. They did a street at a time.
4. Heat pumps need to be affordable. Again, this needs action on a national scale. People who can't use heat pumps could use electric radiators like the one I have. It costs me about 20p for 5 hours, heating my room to 19.4° in winter. At current SV rates it would be about 30p I think. If prices were de-coupled it would be cheaper. Although maybe not for me personally as EDF is all nuclear. I did not choose them, my contract was with Green Network Energy.
The plan, as originally stated , is to move to electric. Nothing else.
Thoughts everyone please.
1. If you are young enough and can afford it, go for full insulation and a heat pump.
2. For people like me - old, little money, no cavity wall, rooms all occupied, some floors solid.
I think my electric radiator (Dimplex OFRB7N 700w) is a great way to go. It cost peanuts, is quite cheap to run (20p for 5 hours at my price, maybe 30p at current SV rates). This is ok for one room. I only have it set to about 40%. It keeps my room at about 19.4°. I can't go much colder due to having Reynauds. It's way better than my old fan heater, and I suspect, better than fan heaters generally. However I've only used it in a house that is normally heated by gas. Obviously it would have to work harder if I wasn't using gas c/h at other times. If I didn't have lodgers though, I would be heating only my room, using this, and maybe gas on the very coldest days, to take the edge off the whole house.
I already mentioned how I keep my window warm. The next step is secondary glazing using acrylic sheet and magnetic tape. This means it can be removed in summer.
Eventually I might have a new window fitted in upstairs lodger's room, which is not very warm. Maybe the new roof will help.
Prep room is also cold. I should draught proof the door to keep the heat OUT, ie keep it in the rest of the house. I keep it shut when not being used.
I could do other smallish things, eg put a heavy curtain in front of the front door.
I am already draught proofed. However there may be one or two small things I've not noticed, where little draughts get in, eg where an aerial comes in, or under a skirting. You need to get on your knees on a cold day and go round trying to find them. You can feel the cold air on your hand if there's a draught. I noticed one in my room last winter when plugging something in on a cold day, I think it was where the cables come through the wall, there are 2 holes. I need to fix that, problem is my wardrobe is in the way.
One tool I have is a digital thermomter that reads the temp of walls via infra-red from a distance. Also I have a decent quality damp meter now. I can look for cold parts of the house and try to do something.
