The Price of Energy or "How I learned to live with the economy crash"
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Great Britain
Posts: 79
The Price of Energy or "How I learned to live with the economy crash"
Has anyone checked their energy supplier lately?
My energy suppliers best tariff for me who's bill is £133 per month is £396 per month. That's an increase of 197%.
Now obviously I'm not going to do that. I'll default to capped 54% and pay £205.
The government says that price increases with be around 2-4%. Analysts say 10%. So what gives?
If we take this increase to it's obvious conclusion no business will survive a 197% increase.
So the economy will tank and disaster looms.
My energy suppliers best tariff for me who's bill is £133 per month is £396 per month. That's an increase of 197%.
Now obviously I'm not going to do that. I'll default to capped 54% and pay £205.
The government says that price increases with be around 2-4%. Analysts say 10%. So what gives?
If we take this increase to it's obvious conclusion no business will survive a 197% increase.
So the economy will tank and disaster looms.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 2,447
I am certainly not going to, I don't want to spoil my weekend!
My contract (£71 per months for dual fuel) runs out in November. We already spend less on energy that the average apparently, so I am hoping that when we inevitably fall back on to the standard variable (= capped) tariff we may still wind up paying a little less than the capped price. Whatever, I know we're in for a nasty shock and I am still pondering the £14k outlay on a solar system with storage batteries. £14k sound a lot but given the price increases we're looking at, and taking the medium to long term view it is probably a no brainer.
My contract (£71 per months for dual fuel) runs out in November. We already spend less on energy that the average apparently, so I am hoping that when we inevitably fall back on to the standard variable (= capped) tariff we may still wind up paying a little less than the capped price. Whatever, I know we're in for a nasty shock and I am still pondering the £14k outlay on a solar system with storage batteries. £14k sound a lot but given the price increases we're looking at, and taking the medium to long term view it is probably a no brainer.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 452
Originally Posted by uxb99
Has anyone checked their energy supplier lately?
...If we take this increase to it's obvious conclusion no business will survive a 197% increase.
So the economy will tank and disaster looms.
...If we take this increase to it's obvious conclusion no business will survive a 197% increase.
So the economy will tank and disaster looms.
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 1,960
Originally Posted by ATNotts
...........I know we're in for a nasty shock and I am still pondering the £14k outlay on a solar system with storage batteries. £14k sound a lot but given the price increases we're looking at, and taking the medium to long term view it is probably a no brainer.
Myself and Mrs Uplinker got no Covid furlough payments whatsoever. I wonder if the Government will give us £14k instead...............
Tabs please !
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Biffins Bridge
Posts: 757
Thank you ash dieback. One mature tree recently pollarded will probably see me through two, if not three, winters with log burners in all the downstairs rooms. If the tree does not survive then I'll need to build a few more log stores.
The two largest stoves are named Greta and Thunberg. The area by the log stores where all the axe work is done is called Chop Chop Square. .
The two largest stoves are named Greta and Thunberg. The area by the log stores where all the axe work is done is called Chop Chop Square. .
Paid...Persona Grata
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Between BHX and EMA
Age: 76
Posts: 238
My unit rate has increased by about 34%, but the monthly payment has been halved due to the installation of the air source heat pump to replace the all-electric previous heating. Last year I had £8K of panels and batteries installed. Currently, on a bright day, I can be running the house and exporting 2-2.5kW for which I receive the princely sum of 3.5p each as against the stuff I buy at 28 pence. However currently (1500BST) the battery is 100% full, 8/8 cloud, and the house is running on the panel output, so I'll be using "free" power from the battery until late in the evening.
The big saving point of the battery is charging it on the night rate then running the house all morning instead of buying top rate. This benefit is 365 days a year, rain or shine and this alone would pay for my installation (12 panels, 8.2 kWh battery) in about 7-8 years at current prices. In fact, for people without roof space for panels, battery and inverter only could still be a feasible proposition.
Hoping to add a windmill, about 2-3kW output, to top up battery on dull windy days, to the second input on the inverter, so with minimal extra cost.
The big saving point of the battery is charging it on the night rate then running the house all morning instead of buying top rate. This benefit is 365 days a year, rain or shine and this alone would pay for my installation (12 panels, 8.2 kWh battery) in about 7-8 years at current prices. In fact, for people without roof space for panels, battery and inverter only could still be a feasible proposition.
Hoping to add a windmill, about 2-3kW output, to top up battery on dull windy days, to the second input on the inverter, so with minimal extra cost.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: U.K
Posts: 80
Wife runs a small business from home and we are on business electric tariff. When contract ends later in year it will increase by almost 300%. There is no cap on business energy. She will probably shut the business down as the overheads will then be too expensive. Problem then is no electricity supplier wants to take us on as a domestic customer on the default capped rate.
We are not unique as other small business owners we know are also thinking of closing when their energy contacts end
We are not unique as other small business owners we know are also thinking of closing when their energy contacts end
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by B Fraser
Thank you ash dieback. One mature tree recently pollarded will probably see me through two, if not three, winters with log burners in all the downstairs rooms. If the tree does not survive then I'll need to build a few more log stores.
The two largest stoves are named Greta and Thunberg. The area by the log stores where all the axe work is done is called Chop Chop Square. .
The two largest stoves are named Greta and Thunberg. The area by the log stores where all the axe work is done is called Chop Chop Square. .
That made me smile. There are 16 million trees damaged or felled by the last storm in Scotland, so plenty of wood is available. You may have to ask the Green party for clearance to assist !
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: heathrow
Posts: 53
Originally Posted by ATNotts
and I am still pondering the £14k outlay on a solar system with storage batteries. £14k sound a lot but given the price increases we're looking at, and taking the medium to long term view it is probably a no brainer.
I currently have a good solar PV setup and I've had a couple of quotes for batteries (Tesla Powerwall) and both installers told me that there is currently such a demand for these that there is a 10 to 11 month waiting list for the batteries.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: heathrow
Posts: 53
Originally Posted by felixthecat
How long do these batteries last? 1000 cycles is around 3 years, hopefully longer than an iPad !
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Everett, WA
Age: 67
Posts: 3,585
Meanwhile, on this side of the pond, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is predicting electrical shortages and rolling blackouts this summer - while the current POTUS (or whoever is behind the curtain pulling his strings) is still working to shutdown coal fired power plants.
It could be a long summer...
It could be a long summer...
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: US
Posts: 158
Originally Posted by tdracer
Meanwhile, on this side of the pond, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is predicting electrical shortages and rolling blackouts this summer - while the current POTUS (or whoever is behind the curtain pulling his strings) is still working to shutdown coal fired power plants.
It could be a long summer...
It could be a long summer...
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: California
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by fltlt
Dont forget, in California, no gas lines to new houses, all electric only.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Great South East, tired and retired
Posts: 3,788
In the Antipodes we have just had a gummint change and the coal industry is looking to take a big hit.
Luckily, sunshine is abundant and my power company pays me $200 a month to use my panels.
Luckily, sunshine is abundant and my power company pays me $200 a month to use my panels.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: England
Posts: 454
Originally Posted by Right20deg
_________________
That made me smile. There are 16 million trees damaged or felled by the last storm in Scotland, so plenty of wood is available. You may have to ask the Green party for clearance to assist !
That made me smile. There are 16 million trees damaged or felled by the last storm in Scotland, so plenty of wood is available. You may have to ask the Green party for clearance to assist !
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: england
Posts: 274
Originally Posted by Sallyann1234
Doesn't your government have regulations on pollution from wood burning stoves?
