Shout, shout, let it all out...

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 18 Dec 2010, 01:41

The problem isn't so much how much energy we use, it's that it is often all at the same time, for instance, the end of Eastenders, This causes a spike in demand which the generators have to match with expensive electricity.

Smart meters will be able to charge people a fortune for lecky at these times in the hope that it will discourage users from using at these times. More so that they can make more money, really.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 18 Dec 2010, 08:54

kenneal wrote:The problem isn't so much how much energy we use, it's that it is often all at the same time, for instance, the end of Eastenders, This causes a spike in demand which the generators have to match with expensive electricity.

Lucky I use bottled gas then. I've got no idea when Eastenders is on

.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 18 Dec 2010, 10:40

the_lyniezian · Post by **the_lyniezian** » 18 Dec 2010, 17:48

kenneal wrote:The problem isn't so much how much energy we use, it's that it is often all at the same time, for instance, the end of Eastenders, This causes a spike in demand which the generators have to match with expensive electricity.

Smart meters will be able to charge people a fortune for lecky at these times in the hope that it will discourage users from using at these times. More so that they can make more money, really.

I think the better solution would be to put (by law) all the popular programmes on in the wee small hours, forcing everyone to record them and watch later at varying times.

Thing is, with all these digital video recorder devices (Sky+ and the like) TV schedules ought to mean less and less, and there would be fewer spikes.

(Of course using them wastes more energy than simply watching telly- usually you need to power additional devices for one thing...)

Mean Mr Mustard · Post by **Mean Mr Mustard** » 18 Dec 2010, 17:54

JohnB wrote:
kenneal wrote:The problem isn't so much how much energy we use, it's that it is often all at the same time, for instance, the end of Eastenders, This causes a spike in demand which the generators have to match with expensive electricity.
Lucky I use bottled gas then. I've got no idea when Eastenders is on .

You have a gas powered TV? Far out.

woodpecker · Post by **woodpecker** » 18 Dec 2010, 19:32

What's Eastenders?

woodpecker · Post by **woodpecker** » 18 Dec 2010, 19:48

I'm just testing out my old skool kettle (non electric) on the wood burner for the first time...

I have a suspicion that old skool kettle on gas is less expensive than electric kettle to heat same amount of water....???

Haven't had an electric kettle for a couple of years.

(Note: most of the world, outside of UK, manages very well without an electric kettle.)

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 18 Dec 2010, 20:02

Mean Mr Mustard wrote:
JohnB wrote: Lucky I use bottled gas then. I've got no idea when Eastenders is on .
You have a gas powered TV? Far out.

You know what I mean

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 19 Dec 2010, 14:16

woodpecker wrote:I'm just testing out my old skool kettle (non electric) on the wood burner for the first time...

I have a suspicion that old skool kettle on gas is less expensive than electric kettle to heat same amount of water....???

Haven't had an electric kettle for a couple of years.

(Note: most of the world, outside of UK, manages very well without an electric kettle.)

We use a kettle on a gas hob but try to remember to put water in it and sit it on a trivet on the wood stove in winter. That way it doesn't actually boil but it cuts the waiting time (and gas usage) for boiling water considerably.

the_lyniezian · Post by **the_lyniezian** » 20 Dec 2010, 14:52

Mean Mr Mustard wrote:
You have a gas powered TV? Far out.

Back in the 1930s they actually had gas-powered radios, as a sneaky way (I think) of gas companies trying to prevent mains electricity from ruining their business (most radios were batery powered and people took the batteries back to the shop to be recharged).

DominicJ · Post by **DominicJ** » 20 Dec 2010, 15:18

(Note: most of the world, outside of UK, manages very well without an electric kettle.)

True, but I've not actualy read much that says its substantialy cheaper and/or greener.
Unless you happen to have a wood stove already running, but you could then pour said hot water into an electric kettle.

I'm the first person to decry electric room heating, but for a small area, its pretty reasonable.