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Energy bill hikes to last 17 more years - watchdog
Comments
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Yep. Typical short termism. Of course what will happen is that this government or a future government will eventually bow to the will of the masses, reduce green taxes and investment meaning we're even more screwed in future...and so it goes on.
Totally agree. There is an interesting article in the Guardian about this:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/27/green-taxes-bills-saving-energy-fossil-fuels
"Energy UK, their lobbying body, claimed last year that the eco subsidy (which helps the fuel-poor and those living in leaky old houses) would cost £1.7bn to £2.35bn. In fact there is a trade in the insulating projects that the companies have to undertake. Those who do too many can sell to those who have fallen short, and that market shows that the true cost is exactly what the government planned, at £1.3bn a year.
There is a difference, though, between playing grandmother's footsteps with the regulator, self-serving lobbying, and the more significant charge that they rig the market. The market has been inspected repeatedly, most recently by Ofgem in its retail market review. The charge does not stick. Gas prices are the lowest in western Europe, and electricity prices the third lowest. Nor do prices go up more quickly than down.
Far from being bullying behemoths, the energy giants are looking like threatened dinosaurs. The profits of all six are rising with recovery, but last year they totalled £3.74bn, which is a little more than half the profits of just one bank, Barclays. Their way of making money – selling more energy from big power stations – is under global attack.
Those low-energy light bulbs are working, so electricity demand is still below its peaks in Europe. The trend for householders to produce their own electricity is hitting the giants hard, as are renewables. When the wind blows and the sun shines, electricity can flood on to national grids. In Germany the wholesale electricity price has on occasion gone negative, which is a power company's nightmare if you are trying to make a return on big coal, gas or nuclear to pay to your pension-fund shareholders.
Nor are green taxes to blame. They are too small. About 9% of energy bills are government charges. Some 5% go on the eco subsidy. Without these policies, bills would be more painful for the most vulnerable, and higher for many others."0 -
You occasionally get a carbon neutral house on grand designs.
It always costs megabucks, and they start with a clean slate.
If someone is struggling with their bills in a normal house, we can't seriously be advocating that they blow thousands on led lights; zonal heating; new windows; energy reclamation systems ?0 -
Is anyone else thinking that Grizzly works for a utility company and wants to do everything he can to undermine the move towards energy efficiency?
If he isn't then I really can't understand his outpouring of negativity towards energy efficiency on this thread?
I don't.
There is nothing wrong with energy efficiencies measures but they are only part of the equation.
What is the payback on those windows in efficiency terms alone?
I take it you didn't buy your house because it was efficient."If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....
"big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham0 -
The most interesting thing about the article is that it is written by Chris Huhne. Why is the Guardian paying convicted criminals to fill its pages? Has it run out of journalists? I think we should be told.:)0 -
grizzly1911 wrote: »I don't.
There is nothing wrong with energy efficiencies measures but they are only part of the equation.
You seem to be discounting any attempt by people trying to become more energy efficient. Are we really to believe that at Grizzly Towers, you insist on having single glazed windows, no loft insulation and badly fitted doors, because energy efficiency measures 'are only part of the equation' and therefore not worth carrying out? You are so intent on trying to start an argument that you're running the risk of undermining your own integrity.0 -
You seem to be discounting any attempt by people trying to become more energy efficient. Are we really to believe that at Grizzly Towers, you insist on having single glazed windows, no loft insulation and badly fitted doors, because energy efficiency measures 'are only part of the equation' and therefore not worth carrying out? You are so intent on trying to start an argument that you're running the risk of undermining your own integrity.
I think you have lost the plot.
I have not discounted energy efficiency anywhere.
I simply asked what the payback period was on the windows? you said they would soon pay for themselves very quickly."If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....
"big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham0 -
grizzly1911 wrote: »I think you have lost the plot.
I have not discounted energy efficiency anywhere.
You've done nothing but on this thread. I suggest you re-read your contributions.0 -
Totally agree. There is an interesting article in the Guardian about this:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/27/green-taxes-bills-saving-energy-fossil-fuels
"I][/URL].
The trend for householders to produce their own electricity is hitting the giants hard, as are renewables.
[/I]
Is it really true that householders producing their own energy is hitting the giants hard?
or is it just another statement from a self admitted confessed and convicted liar?0 -
You occasionally get a carbon neutral house on grand designs.
It always costs megabucks, and they start with a clean slate.
If someone is struggling with their bills in a normal house, we can't seriously be advocating that they blow thousands on led lights; zonal heating; new windows; energy reclamation systems ?
It costs mega bucks because they usually dig into the side of a mountain, dig underneath an old barn (supporting it with girders) or build underneath the world's largest tile-based arch.
They also have to have designer kitchens and bathrooms and a massive footprint.
If people are struggling with their bills, then I'd advocate checking their insulation levels before worrying about zonal heating and energy reclamation systems (whatever those are). Insulation is subsidized by the energy companies, and often comes with a free installation service. In our previous house (4 bed detached), we had cavity wall insulation fitted by British Gas for £250 and we weren't even BG customers.
Don't forget to lag above the loft hatch. Then look at draft proofing the letter box and under the doors.0 -
You've done nothing but on this thread. I suggest you re-read your contributions.
So the windows aren't going to pay for themselves in the short, medium, or long term I take it.
Did you pick them or SWMBO SAHM?"If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....
"big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham0
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