Put the Kettle On

[Florence Fennel]

Have you heard that we're going to be charged more for peak time energy? That's going to hit hard I would imagine, particularly for families with children at school?

[FionaH]

Thats not good!

[chris]

What do they class as peak time?

[Two_Sheds]

Peak time used to mean 7am till midnight Chris, ie it's when you need it the most

[Two_Sheds]

.... particularly for families with children at school?

The kids are fine, schools are heated to tropical temps (and all us older ladies are throwing the windows open to cries of "Miss I'm cold")

[Headfry]

Madness....utter madness

I know we have to do something but is this really the right way to go.
This will effect everyone who works during the day as well.
Guess who gets richer???????
What are the suppliers real motives here?.... you have to wonder.

Better to reward those who manage to cut their usage perhaps?

[Florence Fennel]

The kids are fine, schools are heated to tropical temps (and all us older ladies are throwing the windows open to cries of "Miss I'm cold")

I was more concerned about the cost to families at home TS. Children have to be fed and watered before they go to school and I would guess that most have a "teatime" when they're home. Pretty sure this will become a peak time when energy will be more expensive. I suppose it's good that with the planned new directly to the companies meters there will be no more estimated bills and we will only pay for the energy we use.

[Florence Fennel]

Madness....utter madness

I know we have to do something but is this really the right way to go.
This will effect everyone who works during the day as well.
Guess who gets richer???????
What are the suppliers real motives here?.... you have to wonder.

Better to reward those who manage to cut their usage perhaps?

Less meter readers
Less power plants
Savings all the way, particularly if the householder has to pay about �400 for a new meter!

I suppose it had to happen, but I'll not be getting up at 2.00 a.m. to make a flask of tea ready for 6.30 a.m, will you?

[cardiffsteve]

But they said that privitisation would mean more competition and cheaper utilities for all!
I think they were telling porkies

And what is Ofgen doing about the rising costs, nothing! they probably getting a backhander from the government or utility companies.
(That is my opinion not the opinion of GYO Mag)

[OverWyreGrower]

I had new gas and electric meters fitted by E.ON, for free. I've also got an energy meter, which tells me exactly how much gas and electric I'm using (and has traffic lights on, for different energy usage).

I have no more estimated bills, as the meters download a reading every 24hrs. In terms of usage, when we're out, it's usually green (even with a fridge freezer and seperate freezer on); if we're in and not in the kitchen it's amber, but as soon as we turn on either the cooker, kettle, microwave or tumble drier; it hits red....

[veggiechicken]

I had new gas and electric meters fitted by E.ON, for free. I've also got an energy meter, which tells me exactly how much gas and electric I'm using (and has traffic lights on, for different energy usage).

I have no more estimated bills, as the meters download a reading every 24hrs. In terms of usage, when we're out, it's usually green (even with a fridge freezer and seperate freezer on); if we're in and not in the kitchen it's amber, but as soon as we turn on either the cooker, kettle, microwave or tumble drier; it hits red....

Are these the so-called smart meters? I wondered how they would work and whether the householder would see any benefits.

[OverWyreGrower]

Are these the so-called smart meters? I wondered how they would work and whether the householder would see any benefits.

Yup, a smart meter, that's it!

I'm not due a bill until November, but I've just checked my energy tracker online, and am pleased to say I am using less energy than last year (both gas and electric). Actually, it's probably more to do with the fact that the readings are completely accurate, rather than estimated and taken monthly etc.

The little readout is also useful, as, for example, I can check before I leave for work, and see at a glance whether anything is turned on that shouldn't be! Or whether I should turn more things off. We now turn the oven and microwave off at the wall, and have on order a gizmo to turn the tv/box/dvd off in one go. I also have the dryer on even less than before!

[snohare]

To be fair, industry was offered incentives to use machinery off-peak a good while ago, and that has helped by reducing the peak load when household consumers traditionally want more. But this is the thin end of the wedge...I'm a mad keen fan of renewables, and even I cannot see any way we can meet the generating gap when the older generating stations are forced to close.
The moral of the story is, free market utilities work well as long as the companies running them are not always looking at their short term profits. It's not going to do British businesses any good either.

[HeyWayne]

I'm looking forward to a smart meter!

Save me the ball-ache of having to submit readings once a month.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks OWG. I'm with EON too and do the Energy tracker thing but its not as accurate as yours. Wish I had a smart meter! I have been using an OWL energy monitor and that has made me turn most things off at the socket. Only the essentials stay on now, like fridge, alarm, phone. Its surprising how much difference it makes to your consumption and therefore bills.