Households cut energy use by a quarter

wotsthat

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23723385

Households in England and Wales cut their energy use by a quarter over a six year period, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Average consumption of gas and electricity fell by 24.7% between 2005 and 2011.

Customers have faced steep increases in bills over the period, and may be economising as a result.

The regulator, Ofgem, said that bills have risen by 28% in the last three years.

That might be a surprise to some on here who think it's impossible to reduce spending on essentials and are incredulous when claims are made about reduced consumption.

Generali

wotsthat wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23723385



That might be a surprise to some on here who think it's impossible to reduce spending on essentials and are incredulous when claims are made about reduced consumption.

Econ 101: heating costs rise so you buy a warm jumper and a good duvet.

Next up: the price of butter rises. Will you buy dripping or marge?

The OP has it spot on IMHO: most necessities are replaceable in the first world.

WestonDave

You'd have to hope the vast sums spent on free insulation alone would have made some impact even without people tightening their belts!

Loughton_Monkey

Methinks it's an ideal time, therefore, to kick the OAP heating allowance into touch.

As a recipient, I'll moan like hell about it (because I like moaning) but our £200 doesn't go on heating. It goes on Champagne and electricity to cool it.

If it means Mrs LM will have to reduce her intake of Sptrizers etc. then so be it.....

... large gin & tonics all round...

thedalmeny

Loughton_Monkey wrote: »

Methinks it's an ideal time, therefore, to kick the OAP heating allowance into touch.

As a recipient, I'll moan like hell about it (because I like moaning) but our £200 doesn't go on heating. It goes on Champagne and electricity to cool it.

If it means Mrs LM will have to reduce her intake of Sptrizers etc. then so be it.....

... large gin & tonics all round...

Aren't you able to contact them and actually opt out of receiving this benefit, thus stopping you from being a gigantic douche-bag claiming benefit for something you don't actually need.

Pretty sure you can ring up and cancel your automatic payment...

Loughton_Monkey

thedalmeny wrote: »

Aren't you able to contact them and actually opt out of receiving this benefit, thus stopping you from being a gigantic douche-bag claiming benefit for something you don't actually need.

I believe that would be possible. What do you want me to do? Tell them I don't want my state pension either?

I don't claim it. It comes automatically, and I am convinced that if I sent it back, the over-paid muppets at DWP would spend more than £200 administering the return.

You should never look a gift horse in the mouth.

thedalmeny

Loughton_Monkey wrote: »

I believe that would be possible. What do you want me to do? Tell them I don't want my state pension either?

I don't claim it. It comes automatically, and I am convinced that if I sent it back, the over-paid muppets at DWP would spend more than £200 administering the return.

You should never look a gift horse in the mouth.

You clearly stated you believe providing the OAT Heating Allowance for somebody in your situation is stupid, hoping it gets changed...

Yet you still continue to claim it..

Bit rich criticizing the government have got it wrong when you perpetuate it...

Normally i think your posts are quite amusing, showing quite a bit of common sense... This however makes you look like a complete dimwit.

N1AK

wotsthat wrote: »

That might be a surprise to some on here who think it's impossible to reduce spending on essentials and are incredulous when claims are made about reduced consumption.

Not that big a surprise really. Efficient bulbs have taken off. Heating control systems, insulation, radiator thermostats, energy efficient appliances have all become more popular over that period. Modern TVs are also much more efficient. Sounds like a good news story to me, not sure it means a lot unless prices increased by less in the same period?

N1AK

thedalmeny wrote: »

You clearly stated you believe providing the OAT Heating Allowance for somebody in your situation is stupid, hoping it gets changed...

Yet you still continue to claim it..

Bit rich criticizing the government have got it wrong when you perpetuate it...

There nothing rich about suggesting the rules should be changed while still following them. It's not contradictory, hypocritical or otherwise worthy of scorn and only someone 'dimwitted' would see it so simplistically.

thedalmeny

N1AK wrote: »

There nothing rich about suggesting the rules should be changed while still following them. It's not contradictory, hypocritical or otherwise worthy of scorn and only someone 'dimwitted' would see it so simplistically.

I believe it is, particularly when they acknowledge it.

Wouldn't it be a nice world where you could depend on people to actually adopt common sense, particularly when they're in possession of such sense. Instead of taking the default position of "Well, everyone else is doing it.. Why shouldn't i"...

CLAPTON

thedalmeny wrote: »

I believe it is, particularly when they acknowledge it.

Wouldn't it be a nice world where you could depend on people to actually adopt common sense, particularly when they're in possession of such sense. Instead of taking the default position of "Well, everyone else is doing it.. Why shouldn't i"...

or maybe one just accepts the rough with the smooth