Increased utility bills

[Tony]

We've just come to the end of our fixed period for electricity and been put onto a variable rate while I look at other options, the closest I can find is nearly £200/month more than we've been paying/paying right now. My bill is going from about £1500/year to nearly £4,000/year.

Anyone else having the same issues?

I get some of the reasoning behind the increases but it's still quite astounding and they say it's going to go up a lot more...

 

[swotty]

I'm on oil heating and the increase has been astounding. In an hour and a half last week it went up from £377 to £393 (500ltrs) just over a year ago it was £198. Fortunately I bought at £393 as today it's £550.
Electricity is going the same way, it's really worrying. The woodburner is being used more and more in my home!

Sent from Somerset using magic

 

[Broch]

Yep, same here. This may make the biggest contribution to the environment yet - we're going to have to reduce the oil and electricity we use as our bills look set to double over the year

We've turned the heating down and reduced the time it is on. I've finally managed to get the missus to think about reducing car journeys and planning trips for shopping etc. instead of just 'nipping' out when we feel like it. I'm planning on seasoning more wood this year than normal; if we have the log burner on 'trickle' all day the house is much warmer in the evening.

Hopefully, world affairs will settle before the end of summer though I doubt prices will ever return to pre-Covid.

 

[TLM]

At those electricity prices the pay back time of an air-to-air heat pump for heating the house is quite short.

 

[Stew]

Yep, same boat here!

 

[TeeDee]

 

[Toddy]

At this rate they'll be opening up the British pits again.

 

[British Red]

Anyone else having the same issues?

I get some of the reasoning behind the increases but it's still quite astounding and they say it's going to go up a lot more...

Not the same issue Tone but.... similar

Calor are actually turning business away. If you are not an existing customer for bottle gas, you can jog on. Even as an existing customer they will only sell a full cylinder if you have an empty one. Fills for bulk containers are on a three to four week wait. Flogas are the same.

In farming terms, wheat futures are up 40% and it's believed lack of fertiliser will result in significant reductions in harvests.

I could go on

 

[nigelp]

I’m waiting for my new ‘bill’ details. Currently paying £163 a month and expect it to rise by another £40/50. A lot of the price increase is loaded onto the electric standing charge - this is because everyone has electric and this covers the costs of companies taking on the failed companies etc.

Personally I’d take a further increase if it meant the world turned its back on reliance on Russian oil and gas. And it forced a drive to increased use of renewables and development of them.

 

[nigelp]

Yep, same here. This may make the biggest contribution to the environment yet - we're going to have to reduce the oil and electricity we use as our bills look set to double over the year

We've turned the heating down and reduced the time it is on. I've finally managed to get the missus to think about reducing car journeys and planning trips for shopping etc. instead of just 'nipping' out when we feel like it. I'm planning on seasoning more wood this year than normal; if we have the log burner on 'trickle' all day the house is much warmer in the evening.

Hopefully, world affairs will settle before the end of summer though I doubt prices will ever return to pre-Covid.

I’ve dug the push bike out of the garage and will use that for short trips and some shopping.

 

[bobnewboy]

At this rate they'll be opening up the British pits again.

Good. We need to get back to energy independence. We’re looking at huge heating oil and electricity price rises as pensioners, followed up by much steeper food prices to come. Thankfully , in some ways, we don’t have mains gas here, but those price rises impact everything else. We will grow even more of our own food, as far as possible, but we’re not digging up one of our lawns yet.

 

[bobnewboy]

I’m waiting for my new ‘bill’ details. Currently paying £163 a month and expect it to rise by another £40/50. A lot of the price increase is loaded onto the electric standing charge - this is because everyone has electric and this covers the costs of companies taking on the failed companies etc.

Personally I’d take a further increase if it meant the world turned its back on reliance on Russian oil and gas. And it forced a drive to increased use of renewables and development of them.

Our leccy is going up from £88 per month to £135 per month, but that is just for the next price cap in April. It is very likely to go up much more yet. I think we’ll be filling our logstore completely in the next few weeks. We will only use heating oil for hot water as much as possible. Fingers crossed but I can’t see Carrie Antionette allowing our PM to change direction soon

 

[nigelp]

Good. We need to get back to energy independence. We’re looking at huge heating oil and electricity price rises as pensioners, followed up by much steeper food prices to come. Thankfully , in some ways, we don’t have mains gas here, but those price rises impact everything else. We will grow even more of our own food, as far as possible, but we’re not digging up one of our lawns yet.

No, no. Coal is a filthy fuel that does nothing but harm to the environment when it’s both extracted and burnt.

 

[bobnewboy]

No, no. Coal is a filthy fuel that does nothing but harm to the environment when it’s both extracted and burnt.

Indeed, but there’s little other forms of energy available- almost no new power stations being built here, clean or not. Even Germany are rethinking their approach

Reuters report

 

[Nice65]

No, no. Coal is a filthy fuel that does nothing but harm to the environment when it’s both extracted and burnt.

Depends on its grade. At the moment we import our coal from Russia, and it really is a dirty fuel, and believe it or not, wood chip from North America.

Anthracite is fairly low sulphur and high carbon. My steam engine enthusiast mates really miss it.

 

[TeeDee]

At least we have homes to worry about how we are going to heat.

 

[nigelp]

At least we have homes to worry about how we are going to heat.

Quite.

 

[British Red]

At least we have homes to worry about how we are going to heat.

Absolutely. Thankfully, for now, the concerns are about price - not availability.

 

[Broch]

However, I have dusted down my WTSHTF plan

The power outages this year made me realise my water resourcing is not good enough - we're on a borehole and my small generator (inverter type) won't drive my water pump. I have a new generator arriving tomorrow.

 

[TeeDee]

However, I have dusted down my WTSHTF plan

The power outages this year made me realise my water resourcing is not good enough - we're on a borehole and my small generator (inverter type) won't drive my water pump. I have a new generator arriving tomorrow.

WTSHTF???

Think you've included a typo there.

When the CENTRAL heating Thermostat Fails.

Its a C you are looking for , not an S