The cost of living... what can we do?

There's a new heater element and controller you might be able to have fitted that allows you to set the temperature below 60 degrees, and it will automatically go to bacteria killing temperature once every few days. I was going to have one fitted but had to delay because I need quite a lot of plumbing work first and we were quoted too much. The thing I'm on about is less than 150 quid but I also wanted a brand new tank and an ancient knackered back boiler removed so I was quoted nearly a grand. I'd do it, but now I'm thinking of getting an inline water heater installed instead. That only heats the water as you use it so might be more efficient. I need to do my research and crunch the numbers first to work out which is the most efficient and practical option.

 

hmm, there are still some days I feel like burning my bra!

 

I see crude prices have fallen $87 a barrel so things should start to get a bit cheaper, but on the other hand

 

The G7 has discussed setting a price cap on Russian fuel. If the Russians put the price over a certain threshold, G7 countries won't be allowed to buy it.

Great, as long as all the suppliers that aren't Russia, from whom Britain gets most of its fuel, don't then put their prices up, and as long as Russia doesn't simply continue to do as it has been doing, selling more gas to China who then sells it to everyone else with a mark-up.

 

Wholesale gas prices also dropped last Tuesday, still extortionately high though. Most European countries will be close to filling their storage capacity, yet the UK has very little storage capacity.

• Europe: underground gas storage volume by country 2021 | Statista

European intervention sees gas prices drop - Energy Live News

 

I find it strange that on the news they make statements like Putin is using gas as a weapon.
Are we not using sanctions as a weapon.
I'm fed up with all the rubbish I keep hearing, none of it makes sense.

At times like this you have to wonder who has the best system, in some ways we are just being ripped off by big multinational companies and Western governments just sit back and watch it happen.
Nothing we can do about it they all say, its to do with world prices.
I'm sure if the West was to get together and squeeze the big boys things could start to happen but most of those in charge in the West have their noses in the trough.

 

We have all set targets to decarbonise, investing in storage of gas went against this, yet this leaves us seriously vulnerable to any unforeseen events.

The warning signs have been there before.

Is the UK’s limited gas storage capacity a problem? - Carbon Brief

The trouble now is, we are dependent on imports and along with a lack of storage we are unable to take advantage of cheaper gas in the summer months when demand is generally lower which leaves us seriously exposed to volatile energy costs, as we are now finding out.

Even last year when energy costs were already increasing the government refused to increase our storage capacity.

UK Government will not increase country's gas storage capacity despite price hikes for customers (inews.co.uk)

Yet the government does a u turn by allowing Centrica to reopen its rough storage site, to little to late.

Britain allows Centrica to reopen Rough gas storage facility | Reuters

To think the Dutch have 9 times the storage capacity for gas compared to the UK, then when you take into account the population, which is 25% of the UK's, they are better prepared. To many governments, manufacturers retailers etc etc went down the "just in time" route, to minimize storage costs, which leaves us seriously vulnerable in unprecedented times.

 

Hi John

We are on the standard tarrif like you, though our boiler is old, but the hot water is on its own zone valve.

Just raked out the smart meter household display so will be taking some readings from that, initial values indicated it takes about 6 units of gas to do the morning hot water full heat , so thats about 42p, will try electic heating later and see how that works out.

Re your earlier post about hot water being at least 60c, the HSE have it detailed including tap outlet temperature.
HSE - Legionnaires' disease - Risk systems - Hot and cold water systems

Also of interest , you see cost saving measures published like Stop using the tumble drier now which saves around £60 a year and from October around £116 which you would think is way too little for such a power hunger device ?

Used a power meter on out biggest drying cycle and using that as the basic cost for all our drying, times 1 year and it worked out at £68 , so quiet close to what they said.
However, think thats rather misleading as we oldies are not a typical household with 1-3 kids etc .

 

Really I'm on about the ridiculous price of gas, its not cheap anywhere, regardless of how much storage you have and storage runs out one day anyway.

I'm more concerned with western governments letting these faceless people charge these stupid prices when there is obviously no shortage.

Rip off, and they are letting them do it, create a mythical shortage and charge what you like seems to be the lesson learnt from the pandemic.