Cost of electricity compared to gas is a crime

Qyburn

Last figures I saw electricity produced more carbon than mains gas, per kWh.

MattMattMattUK

ToeandDi said:

Hello MSE,

We live in a Cornish village, which like many UK villages, does not have a gas supply at all. We have to rely on electricity and this should be no problem

It does not appear to be a problem, as you have a working supply of electricity.

ToeandDi said:

as electricity is more environmentally sound than gas

That entirely depends on the source of electricity, most of the UK's electricity is produced using... gas.

ToeandDi said:

given the systems are considerably more efficient users of energy. 

An electric heater is 100% efficient, a gas boiler is only around 95% sufficient, however that is a the point of usage. When one factors in generation and transmission losses it is more efficient to heat a domestic property with gas.

ToeandDi said:

However, the average household usage of energy is estimated by Ofgem to be 2,900kw (34p per kW) of electricity and 12,000kw (10p per kW) of gas per year, and these figures are used to estimate government support. Our all-electric house uses 11,000kW of electricity p.a.  The estimated household average combined usage is £2,500 p.a. but all-electric houses pay £4,000. When the cap is increased in April our costs will rise by £800 compared to a combined usage rise of £500. So, although we use considerably less energy overall, we pay 60% more for our fuel. 

You use less energy in kWh at the point of delivery yes, how much you use if generation and transmission losses are factored in is anyone's guess.

ToeandDi said:

we pay 60% more for our fuel. No one seems to be talking about this but it's not fair: we have no choice and it gets worse with every price increase.

Yes, you pay more for your fuel, that has always been the case, it has always been known. There are alternatives such as LPG or fuel oil which are both currently cheaper per kWh than mains gas and have historically been roughly equivalent. Both gas and electricity have roughly tripled in three years, the cost to consumers somewhat reflects the costs to supply, at least before the EPG discounts, electricity is more expensive, but it always has been. 

ToeandDi said:

Any ideas?

Install PV, a heat pump and batteries as a best option, especially in Cornwall. Other options could include an LPG or fuel oil boiler. 

QrizB

Welcome to the forum, @ToeandDi

ToeandDi said:

However, the average household usage of energy is estimated by Ofgem to be 2,900kw (34p per kW) of electricity and 12,000kw (10p per kW) of gas per year, and these figures are used to estimate government support.

If you are heating your house with electricity, the most economical option is to use a heat pump. However they are relatively recent innovation, and more conventionally you would look to use storage heaters and a split-rate electricity tariff.

ToeandDi said:

 The estimated household average combined usage is £2,500 p.a. but all-electric houses pay £4,000.

Let's see how heating with E7 compares to Ofgem's benchmark dual-fuel household.

Benchmark: 2900kWh of electricity at 34p/kWh and £170/yr standing charge plus 12000kWh of gas at 10.3p/kWh and £100/yr standing charge makes £2492.

Economy 7 household: I'm going to use EDFs DD tariff for the South West (which includes Cornwall).

2900kWh of peak-rate electricity at 42.75p/kWh and £192/yr standing charge plus 12000kWh of cheap-rate at 14.82p/kWh makes £3210.

So yes, it is more expensive than gas, but only by £700/yr not £1200/yr.

Curiously, EDFs PAYG tariff works out cheaper, at £2647 - only £155 a year more than gas.

Any ideas?

If you aren't already using Economy 7 (or a heat pump) to hear your all-electric home, you should seriously consider changing. Direct electric heating with standard-rate electricity is one of the most expensive options you could choose.

Keep_pedalling

saveallmymoney said:

I have gas, but i also do think its too cheap compared to electric.

Thankfully you can generate electricity yourself, which isn't possible with gas.

Eat more beans