GAS up 25% in weeks (BG)

[Deleted User]

This is on the front page of the sunday mail and there is no smoke without fire. BG sets the ball rolling and the others will follow. This 25% rise will push some people over the edge. They say £1000 a year for a small 3 bed semi

paul_h

Wow. No doubt this will have a knock-on effect on electricity too - 40% of the electricity generation is gas powered, and EDF are currently planning to build two more large gas powered power stations near us.

Energy analysts are now saying that this is not a short term 'blip', but part of a longer term trend - they say that the days of cheap energy are over...

[Deleted User]

Time for a lot of us to think differently and to learn to cope with a cooler home OS

What with that and council tax going up by 6%. Pity help people on fixed incomes

superscotsman

A growing percentage of the gas imported into rip-off Britain is coming from Russia. In view of what has happened in The Ukraine and Georgia, it would be wise to invest in one of those halogen heaters they are selling in Wilkinson's at the moment for a tenner.
As for the Russians. I blame the fact that they make tea in samovars: it makes them get used to turning off taps!

paullwill8

Blimey, i just signed up to powergen who say the rates are fixed for a year, glad i did now, hope they stick to it.

Cardew

superscotsman wrote:

In view of what has happened in The Ukraine and Georgia, it would be wise to invest in one of those halogen heaters they are selling in Wilkinson's at the moment for a tenner.

Well unless you think gas to domestic users is likely to be cut off, it makes no sense to use electric heating instead of gas. Even if gas were to rise threefold(300%) it would still be cheaper than a halogen heater.

renegade

I understand now what is happening at SP. I have a problem with them, they have just to me telling me that they are increasing my monthly payments from #38.00 per month to #100.00! Being a pensioner I could not afford this increase, I wrote explaining the situation they then said I could pay #67.00, I refused even that. I told them that I will continue with my monthly payments as they are until my anniversary account which is in July then if there is an outstanding balance I will clear it in full, as I do get the #200.00 per annum from Mr Blair which is staying in my account and not theirs. Now I am wondering if I made the right decision in view of what the papers are saying today I dont think #200.00 is going to cover it! Any views on this?

Jet

I can't turn the heating down anymore, I've already got chilblains!

25% is extortionate and frightening. Maybe it's just scaremongering.

renegade wrote:

which is staying in my account and not theirs. QUOTE]

Scottish Power tried to do this to me just before I switched supplier. They owed me money and yet they decided that they were going to put my monthly DD up. It seems to me, that the energy suppliers want to invest our money and make themselves a hefty bit of interest and then pass on a measly "benefit" to us for paying by direct debit. :mad:

oldgiraffe

Looking forward to Martin's next email and hopefully some updated 'switch/don't switch' advice.

Davidboy

It is the wholesale price that is to blame, it is not just BG, all gas suppliers are going to have to put the price up, that is a fact! More woolies are needed, get granny to get the knitting needles out!!

Don't forget this only a warning, BG have not decided yet when or by how much gas will rise. Lets wait and see!!

D

superscotsman

Cardew wrote:

Well unless you think gas to domestic users is likely to be cut off, it makes no sense to use electric heating instead of gas. Even if gas were to rise threefold(300%) it would still be cheaper than a halogen heater.

You would have got away with that with the greater majority of people, Cardew. But you are unlucky: there are not very many physicists about, and - yes, you've guessed it - auld superscotsman is a physicist.
When you have an open or a gas fire, it burns oxygen and sends the bulk of the warm air - much of it poisoned - up the chimney, where it heats the sky. In the mean season, new cold air comes under your door, through the air brick etc, causing a draught that would kill a horse, which is why it is wise to wear a dressing gown or a smoking jacket. In other words, only a fraction of the heat produced comes into the room.
While it is essential to have ventilation if you were burning an electric heater, be it halogen or otherwise, the room convection is much less, and you do not need a chimney. Because the draught is less, you do not need so much energy to heat it up, and you can dispense with your dressing gown or smoking jacket and walk around in the nude, in your stockings and suspender belt - whatever you fancy.
Now you may say that there is something more warm and matey about an open fire or a gas fire, and I would not argue with that; but in view of the waste concerned I would not say it would be cheaper. Get your calculator out, Cardew, and think again.