Could today's Gas Price increases be the final tipping point for the housing market

neverdespairgirl

Oh was born and spent his first few years in Tel Aviv - where it's always warm, even in the winter. I think he's cold-blooded as a result!

Ivan_Konstantinov

m00m00 wrote: »

With British Gas (and the others soon to follow) announcing massive increases in bills to come this winter, I feel this is going to have a double edged impact on the housing market.

Good point,35-44% not a joke for some peeps on the brink (come winter)...lets hope not many more oldies die of cold

WTF?_2

adr0ck wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Any reason why supplementing your electrical supply with solar panels and wind turbines and possibly hydro is apparently such a laughable idea? I'm dying to be in on the joke :rolleyes:

neverdespairgirl

Ivan_Konstantinov wrote: »

Good point,35-44% not a joke for some peeps on the brink (come winter)...lets hope not many more oldies die of cold

35% is a hell of a rise, for almost anyone.

adr0ck

!!!!!!? wrote: »

Any reason why supplementing your electrical supply with solar panels and wind turbines and possibly hydro is apparently such a laughable idea? I'm dying to be in on the joke :rolleyes:

this is supposed to be a moneysaving site :rolleyes:

WTF?_2

adr0ck wrote: »

this is supposed to be a moneysaving site :rolleyes:

Do you actually bother to read posts before replying?? If you had, you'd have seen in my next paragraph I said:

Maybe not really viable at current energy prices but I'd be willing to bet that over the coming decade an investment now would show more and more sense.


There are plenty of reasons for wanting an 'alternative' source of heat and power other than pure economics.

adr0ck

!!!!!!? wrote: »

Do you actually bother to read posts before replying?? If you had, you'd have seen in my next paragraph I said:

Maybe not really viable at current energy prices but I'd be willing to bet that over the coming decade an investment now would show more and more sense.


There are plenty of reasons for wanting an 'alternative' source of heat and power other than pure economics.

with solar panels :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

the problem is !!!!!! would your solar panels actually last a decade?

WTF?_2

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

35% is a hell of a rise, for almost anyone.

Yep - however with the easy availability of credit over the last decade and relatively cheap energy prices, most people haven't give the energy costs of heating their house a second thought.

These rises will really hurt pensioners who are often on a low fixed income but I reckon they'll go beyond that and start stinging members of the general public, who'll be kicking up hell. I've noticed rocketing costs in my heating oil over the last year and a half - not just in the last 9 months. The cost of a 500l top-up in my oil tank has gone along the lines of 165 > 210 > 300 quid the last few times I have ordered some oil in.

Luckily I've got the disposable income to pay for it but there will be a lot of people for whom it is a very big deal indeed. I notice that the suppliers who formerly only offered minimum 500l deliveries are now going right down to 300l in 50l steps..... a sure sign that their customers are feeling the pinch. Also hearing anecdotals about how the 20l 'emergency' containers that you see at filling stations are doing a roaring trade as people buy them as they can afford them. Of course these containers cost a ripoff 20 quid for 20l so really people aren't doing themselves any favours but if you haven't got the cash for a larger fill..... And then there are the stories of oil theft from heating tanks becoming rife.

I reckon 'fuel poverty' is about to become a very big issue this winter.

WTF?_2

adr0ck wrote: »

with solar panels :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

the problem is !!!!!! would your solar panels actually last a decade?

So you don't bother to read, or certainly don't bother to comprehend posts before dashing off ill-considered replies then.

Here's the context in which I made the comment you find so hilarious:

I'd be looking at insulating any new property to the highest degree. Then using solar tubes for water heating and some sort of ground heat exchanger to supplement heating. Wood burning stove or fireplace for the main central heating source. (Can you get suitable coal/wood stoves? Still plenty of coal left.)

With more scope then electrical supplies could easily be supplemented with solar panels and wind turbines. Water turbine too if there was a stream running through the property. Maybe a combined heating and power system to make up the difference between the renewables and your demand.

Do yourself a favour and think before posting.

kennyboy66_2

!!!!!!? wrote: »

Any reason why supplementing your electrical supply with solar panels and wind turbines and possibly hydro is apparently such a laughable idea? I'm dying to be in on the joke :rolleyes:

Solar - still needs subsidy for capital cost to make it worthwhile. Try and get one.
Micro wind turbines. They are a joke.
Hydro - even if the river is on your land, you would need to pay National Rivers Authority a licence fee.

People are still much better advised to fully insulate their homes, use more energy efficient light bulbs & appliances, hang their washing out rather than tumble dry it, take showers rather than baths, use the washing machine at a lower temperature and wash only full loads, switch all appliances off rather than leave them on stand-by & just switching the heating off or down.
Apart from the old, infirm or very young, everyone would be a little healthier by not swanning round in t-shirts in over heated houses.

All of this of course takes a little bit of effort.
Too many people would rather be seduced by "free" solar or wind power.