Electric Heaters in new build home and lack of insulation

QrizB

Panda126 said:

debitcardmayhem said:

If you have solar panels, did you get a battery as well as part of the build? 

yes we have 10kwh batteries (2x5)

Personally, at this time of year, I'd be charging the batteries from the mains during the cheaper Agile periods (typically overnight) then using them to supply your home during the expensive evening period.

Will your battery inverter let you do this? Most will, but you might need to read the instructions carefully?

And would you be able to post a screenshot of your in-day electricity use from your Octopus account or app? Just so we can all see what your in-day use profile looks like?

born_again

lohr500 said:

Arriving late to this thread but I am shocked at how the developer can make such a big play about sustainable and affordable living when they install peak rate electricity panel heaters as the only source of heating for the houses.

1st 2 of their claims have nothing to do with the actual house build.

Large bit at the top mentions green building tech allowing for reduced energy consumption by them. 😶‍🌫️

Devils in the detail of what they do not say...

MultiFuelBurner

I'm no way is this an excuse but given the solar, 10kwh of battery storage and the ability to use various TOU tariffs the house heating  (based on the EPC) can come in around £1200-15000 and that doesn't take into account the reduction from solar and battery use.

It can be a scary time of year to turn things on and this winter is a bit colder so far than last year and the OP's first winter.

It may take then a couple of years to get on top of it until they decide to change those heaters for something else as mentioned earlier in the post.

It is just a shame the builder skimped on the heating as it could have been an amazing setup without those panel heaters.

Gerry1

If all the developer's properties on the estate have the same problems it might be worth forming a Residents' Association.  You may find some have legal knowedge or know others that do.  You may be able to put pressure on the developer.  They probably cut corners to save costs, but as it's their first development they may have been genuinely unaware of the prohibitive cost of heating with daytime electricity and just gone for the cheapest quotation for 'good looking electric heaters'.

If so, they may wish to help find a better solution so that future customers aren't deterred by highly dissatisfied existing ones.

And if all else fails...

https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/new-build-homeowner-erects-giant-8255837

Collective action may also make it possible to get an affordable mains gas supply.

Netexporter

Collective action may also make it possible to get an affordable mains gas supply.

I thought we were supposed to be stopping burning fossil fuels. A heat pump with a smart meter is cost competitive with gas at its ludicrously low present price.

Eldi_Dos

Netexporter said:

Collective action may also make it possible to get an affordable mains gas supply.

 with gas at its ludicrously low present price.

Serious question but do you forsee gas prices rising as domestic demand for it drops.

MultiFuelBurner

Eldi_Dos said:

Netexporter said:

Collective action may also make it possible to get an affordable mains gas supply.

 with gas at its ludicrously low present price.

Serious question but do you forsee gas prices rising as domestic demand for it drops.

No but there could be am emissions tax to levy as it's phased out to stop everyone hanging onto their inefficient 20 year old gas boilers.

Ulez for domestic gas

Eldi_Dos

MultiFuelBurner said:

Eldi_Dos said:

Netexporter said:

Collective action may also make it possible to get an affordable mains gas supply.

 with gas at its ludicrously low present price.

Serious question but do you forsee gas prices rising as domestic demand for it drops.

No but there could be am emissions tax to levy as it's phased out to stop everyone hanging onto their inefficient 20 year old gas boilers.

Ulez for domestic gas

I think the recent Uxbridge by election will make politicians wary about such a course.

MultiFuelBurner

Eldi_Dos said:

MultiFuelBurner said:

Eldi_Dos said:

Netexporter said:

Collective action may also make it possible to get an affordable mains gas supply.

 with gas at its ludicrously low present price.

Serious question but do you forsee gas prices rising as domestic demand for it drops.

No but there could be am emissions tax to levy as it's phased out to stop everyone hanging onto their inefficient 20 year old gas boilers.

Ulez for domestic gas

I think the recent Uxbridge by election will make politicians wary about such a course.

Eventually something will have to give when the final dates are given and as you say those hanging on could expect very cheap gas as demand outstrips supply. Or do the suppliers just stop drilling for gas as supply lessens to raise prices?

It's going to be interesting to see what happens over the next 10-20years but I do think some sort of extra get rid of gas tax could be included in the price per kWh at some point.

Netexporter

Serious question but do you forsee gas prices rising as domestic demand for it drops.

I'm in two minds about that. In theory, lower demand would bring the price down. However, I think more of the environmental charges on electricity will go over to gas, as electricity becomes cleaner. Finally, I think that as people electrify their heating, branches of the gas network will become uneconomic to maintain and there will be a gradual shut-down. A sort of ash die-back disease of energy.