We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Off grid coal/wood/gas help from goverment?

Options
Hi all, I live on a narrowboat and have been told by my supplier that the price of coal and wood is going up a lot this winter and I wondered if there is help for people living on narrowboats etc as we are not seemingly covered by the energy help by the government, not that I have heard anyway.  At £15+ per bag of coal now (used to be £11 or £12), I and other boat dwellers I know will struggle.  Does anyone know what I can do please?  Thanks.

Comments

  • dunstonh
    dunstonh Posts: 119,697 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Does anyone know what I can do please? 
    1) adjust your spending habits to cover the cost
    2) adjust how much coal/wood you use.

    That is pretty much how it stands at the moment.

    I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.
  • mumf
    mumf Posts: 604 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    We use coal and wood in our  house - it is our primary heating. We will have to deal with it. As Dunstonh says, adjust spending to cover fuel costs - like me. I am not being rude,but folks seem to think that government will cover EVERYTHING. That will not,and cannot happen. 
  • lohr500
    lohr500 Posts: 1,348 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    mumf said:
    We use coal and wood in our  house - it is our primary heating. We will have to deal with it. As Dunstonh says, adjust spending to cover fuel costs - like me. I am not being rude,but folks seem to think that government will cover EVERYTHING. That will not,and cannot happen. 
    +1. Totally agree. 
  • It's certainly not what you wanted to hear, but I'd certainly look in to measures to improve insulation. I've just done it for my loft, using foil insulation under the rafters, in addition to already decent levels over the joists , because payback is more worthwhile now! Maybe look in to foil, thermal curtains, including at the door etc. It all helps.

    Oh yes, as someone who mainly uses wood for heating, up your scrounging levels! Aldi are selling briquettes which might be handier for storage in your situation.
  • mumf said:
    We use coal and wood in our  house - it is our primary heating. We will have to deal with it. As Dunstonh says, adjust spending to cover fuel costs - like me. I am not being rude,but folks seem to think that government will cover EVERYTHING. That will not,and cannot happen. 

    Would it be fair to say then that they shouldn't help with electricity too?

  • mumf
    mumf Posts: 604 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    The MAJORITY of people live in places that are ON grid. Gas and electricity. Now not everyone has gas - I don’t- but most have electricity. 

    Now before you get the hump,my brother lives off grid on his own land in a big showman wagon. He has solar ,solid fuel and a diesel heater. His view? Like mine. Just gotta get on with it. 
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 351K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 244K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 599K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.