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Energy Bills

1 lurker | 54 watchers

icemaiden Aug 2022 8:49pm, 26 Aug 2022 5,477 posts	0 icemaiden Regarding standby .... any free standing appliance sold since 2013 must be less than 0.5 watts, any networked appliance that has been bought since 2017 will have standby between 3 and 12 watts. EU regs which we have yet to stick on a bonfire so far as I know. ec.europa.eu
jda Aug 2022 9:07pm, 26 Aug 2022 13,261 posts	0 jda This rather tedious video argues that condensing boilers are a bit more efficient at lower output which could point towards a more steady state approach, though it depends on your usage patterns etc. twitter.com He does agree that the total heat loss from the house will be lower if the heating is allowed to go off for periods, but argues that the greater heating requirement of the continuous heat approach could be offset by greater efficiency of the heating system. I think this is unlikely to be significant for most people, even in a best case scenario the possible increase in efficiency for a condensing boiler seems pretty modest (for non-condensing boilers or electric heaters, there's no efficiency gain at all). Heat pumps on the other hand, definitely. They are far better for a moderate steady output. (as for 18-19C overnight.....no wonder we find hotels so unbearably hot if that's what people are used to)
rf_fozzy Aug 2022 1:25am, 27 Aug 2022 18,138 posts	0 rf_fozzy Muttley - the payback time on batteries has now plummeted - particularly given the price cap increase today. Definitely worth it, especially if you aren't in during the day. The other other useful thing is that you can charge them up overnight at cheaper rates - useful in winter. A decent battery will do everything, bar really high energy use (e.g. tumble dryer) for a day comfortably. Added bonus if there are power cuts.... And the latest generation of batteries will last you a minimum of 10 years, and I'd guess that they'll still have useful charge ability after 10 years - the degradation does go from ~90% after 10 years to ~0% on 10 years+1day. I'm sticking in a 3.3kW battery now with the aim of having another installed in about a year. With a 6.25kWp (total) system (the system won't generate that peak power, as I'm doing both sides of my roof).
ThorntonRunner Aug 2022 7:09am, 27 Aug 2022 6,114 posts	0 ThorntonRunner I'm waiting for 4.5kW of pv and a 5.8kWh battery to be installed, but have been told it could be up to six months. Being able to charge the battery from the grid at cheap overnight rate is a definite plus and makes the sums work even better
Muttley Aug 2022 9:23am, 27 Aug 2022 1,783 posts	0 Muttley It's something I keep an eye on but given that my total energy bill is currently about £300 a year, probably rising to about £500 when the next price rise comes in, the sums don't add up yet. But I expect that they will in time, as the technology improves and cheapens.
ThorntonRunner Aug 2022 7:21am, 28 Aug 2022 6,115 posts	0 ThorntonRunner £300 - wow. Just calculated that at current rates (including electric car charging) that I've just fixed for a year, our energy bill will be £5500. Son1 moves out today, so hoping that will lead to a small reduction.
Muttley Aug 2022 11:03am, 28 Aug 2022 1,787 posts	0 Muttley I'm fortunate in living alone, being naturally frugal (or stingy), and having a super-efficient eco passive house. The bills coming down the tracks are simply unaffordable for many but the govt is in hiding or on holiday and I see little sign of any comprehension of the magnitude of the issue.
jda Aug 2022 12:28pm, 28 Aug 2022 13,266 posts	0 jda At 300 a year I can understand there's little point in investing further to cut bills! On the topic of money-saving gadgets, I just bought an air-fryer, more because I saw it cheap on amazon and wanted to try one for health/convenience rather than for the energy savings. However it is a lot cheaper to run, especially if you do a lot of small portion heating/cooking in a big oven. I just warmed up a pastry in it as a post-run snack, very crispy and hot in a few mins
Hanneke Aug 2022 1:06pm, 28 Aug 2022 92,347 posts	0 Hanneke Muttley, where is your passiv eco house? I am very interested in them! Always thought I'd build one but the best I could have done is my studio/workshop building. It classes as a tiny home though: 5x7 metres floor plan. I do have a pitched roof the pitch of which is just shy of 5 metres... Which allows for a snug but useable mezzanine.
Hanneke Aug 2022 1:07pm, 28 Aug 2022 92,348 posts	0 Hanneke I may retire to it and rent out my chapel...