I guess everyone knows the price of electricity and gas has gone up yet again this week, to take effect from September. Why are the 6 main providers allowed to do this, and the Government just sit back and do nothing.
I wonder if they ever think where the elderly, folks out of work, and those not on the wages of an M.P. are going to get their extra money from?.
Most of the elderly I know, shut themselves in just one room in their houses, with just enough heat to keep warm. Once again it’s a choice of “Heat or eat”.
If you are lucky enough to have a job, then you spend about 8 hrs in a heated workplace, thus saving 8 hrs “Home heat” If you are not in employment or have to spend all day at home, then you are not saving anything at all.
I have loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and double glazing, but when my bills come through the door I wince.
I have changed to what the Government advised us all to do and use energy saving electricity bulbs, but the increase in electricity, has negated all by so called energy saving products.I think it’s all a bit of a con.
What would all those who work in Wesminister say, if they had to work in the minimum heat ofwhat is it,64 deg min?. I bet their thermostats are set higher than that.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: nJayM - 25th July 2011 at 13:56
Jim you like most of the sensible people on this forum are …
Jim you like most of the sensible people on this forum are getting frustrated with ill planned strategies simply put through by commercial greed and ratified by some politicians that actually rip off the older generations who have built this nation and held it together through two world wars (maybe no survivors of the 1st any more).
The younger generations have got so blasé that they do not recognise (or chose not to) that there is a war on (military in some quarters) but worse there is an economic war on that will take a lot of us down further. 😡
So less nightclubbing and drip feeding of Red Bull like stimulants:mad: and a little more addressing of conscientious work (using their brains if not pickled as yet) during paid hours may even now rescue a bad situation.:D
By: Lincoln 7 - 25th July 2011 at 13:44
Jay, Re your last line, Who do I make the cheque out to:D
Jim.
Lincoln. 7
By: nJayM - 25th July 2011 at 11:47
In fact in some cases we have gone against the physics/chem. of the building material
In fact in some cases we have gone against the physics/chem. of the building materials
With no offence meant to anyone that had cavity wall insulation. In most cases brick, breeze block, etc used especially in outer walls require to ‘breathe’ and/or expand. By adding material of a distinct contrast there is a possibility that we have altered this normal phenomenon. This may have consequences on the longevity of the building fabric.
Loft insulation – the material used is fibre glass with the emphasis on ‘glass’ and as we all know just laying it requires protective gear (goggles, nose mask and gloves).
In many cases for convenience central heating radiators are positioned below windows. ?????
In making our homes hermetically sealed we do ourselves no good with respect to medium to long term health (infections breed in warm humid air).
I have some gentle suggestions (it does not have to be all that are implemented, many more suited to specific circumstances)-
Induction hobs (now quite affordable) 30% or more savings with instant pot only warming efficiency. (check any UK website). Do not require a complete renewal of pots/pans – test if a fridge magnet sticks to pot/pan then it should work with induction. Le Crouset are definitely known not to work on induction.
Modern internal shutters (manual in preference to electric) works in Europe. In most cases room stays warm during winter and in summer it can be like air conditioned comfort if the sun’s heat gets over bearing. Again if ‘jobs worth’ council employees can see fit to address planning permission as one encompassing both beauty/environment with modern functionality.
Solar panels – government free scheme with sell back options to national grid provided a wall is available 90 degrees south facing and planning permission can be obtained.
Again storm porches, conservatories, storm doors, can all add a partial air lock to prevent more heat loss.
Most of the above aren’t to be considered ways of slowing down escape in the event of a fire or explosion.
Jim – fleeing to the tropics/equator which soon will be searing hot is not a solution for a man with your brain and contribution to the UK
By: Lincoln 7 - 25th July 2011 at 11:21
Arthur. I have done everything possible, on the money available to keep warm, you don’t need me to tell you, the older you get, the colder you get. FACT.
I have had Double glazing, walls injected and filled, ie, cavity wall insulation, attic insulated, energy saving bulbs, The only thing I can do now to keep costs down, is to move to the Equator, or somewhere warmer.
The thing I cannot understand, and I agree with you, it’s a Cartel. This being the case, and our Government doing naff all about it, makes our Government, not fit for purpose.
Trouble is, when you reach retirement age you are definately treated as a second class citizen, you have worked all your life for Queen and Country, then thrown on the scrapheap, as your no good anymore. Makes me sick.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: Arthur Pewtey - 25th July 2011 at 11:09
Rant mode: ON
Let’s face it, the energy suppliers in the UK and possibly the rest of Europe are in a massive cartel to screw customers out of as much money as possible but knowing it is essential that people need heat and power they get away with it. We all have a duty to save as much power as possiboe and there are many things you can do. Insulation, timer switches etc. etc. anything to avoid handing over money to Eon or whatever they’re called today.
Rant mode: OFF
By: nJayM - 25th July 2011 at 10:41
Today’s BBc news http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14250337
Today’s BBc news http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14250337
MPs call for energy doorstep mis-selling compensation
SSE closed down its doorstep sales force earlier this month after being fined in court for mis-selling
Energy firm guilty of mis-selling
Ofgem: Why radical change needed
Energy companies should compensate customers who have been mis-sold gas and electricity deals on the doorstep.
The UK people require energy, why cheat them in the supply of it?
By: paul178 - 23rd July 2011 at 23:27
kev35 Thankyou so much you have ruined my evening. I completely missed the reduction in the winter fuel allowance. That means five bottles less of Aldi’s £9.99 cheap scotch to keep the cold out this winter!:mad::)
By: Lincoln 7 - 23rd July 2011 at 22:51
😉
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: Grey Area - 23rd July 2011 at 22:45
I am having a good laugh at this Lance, simply, because I have turned the tables, and using your very well tutored way of putting people in a corner.
You keep on telling yourself that, Jim, and everything will be all right….. :rolleyes:
By: Lincoln 7 - 23rd July 2011 at 20:49
Kev. Thanks for your input, I rather gathered that your reply would be along those lines, and I thank you for your valuable time in replying knowing just how little you have to spare, each day.
Thanks.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: kev35 - 23rd July 2011 at 20:40
Jim.
With the greatest of respect I don’t have time to consider what might be done to solve the problem, I can only react and deal with the consequences. My days are long and my nights are far too short. I can only concentrate on the minutiae of everyday life as it occurs. Forums can be a curse, but, as I have found out over the last few years they can provide a lifeline.
The hike in energy prices, coupled with the reduction in the winter fuel allowance that this Government has kindly introduced, can only have a detrimental effect on both my Dad and my Uncle. My job is not to sort out the problems but to care for my Uncle and my Dad and to ensure they don’t suffer because of it. I’m not on my own with this, I suspect there are hundreds of thousands whose situations are far worse than ours, but I can’t expend my energiesworrying about them either.
I wonder whether Cameron’s big society will come up with a solution? Perhaps he expects the more affluent to deliver fuel to the needy. Instead of a food parcel they could offer a tenner for the gas. Jim, and it pains me to say it, does have a point about charity begenning at home. I don’t subscribe for one minute to the theory that ‘Johnny Foreigner’ is to blame for our economic woes, but as a simple man with simple thoughts, it does strike me as somehat ridiculous that we continue to give money in overseas aid whilst in our own Country the very fabric of society is in what appears to be an unparallelled and unchecked decline.
Cutting this allowance, or that one, raising taxes, unrestricted rises in fuel (of all kinds), rising unemployment, reductions in services, the imminent collapse of the system for providing residential care for the elderly. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m 50 now and the greatest ever present fear in my life is that of getting old.
Regards,
kev35
By: Lincoln 7 - 23rd July 2011 at 20:07
At this rate the price of running an electric car will be more than a petrol one!
Yep, And if this was some State in the United States, that would be the end of the electric chair.;)
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: Lincoln 7 - 23rd July 2011 at 19:49
Jim.
IIRC you said that for some it come to a decision on whether to heat or eat?
What makes you think you’re going to be able to AFFORD to eat?
Regards,
kev35
Hi Kev, Your dead right on that, Knowing a little about your personal circumstances, Winter must be a damned nightmare for you.especialy as you are well aware they have just risen.
Kev. I respect your replies, you have a way with words I wish I had, however, is there any way in your mind, that the Government COULD possibly help by stepping in?.
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: inkworm - 23rd July 2011 at 19:41
At this rate the price of running an electric car will be more than a petrol one!
By: kev35 - 23rd July 2011 at 19:40
Jim.
IIRC you said that for some it come to a decision on whether to heat or eat?
What makes you think you’re going to be able to AFFORD to eat?
Regards,
kev35
By: Sky High - 23rd July 2011 at 19:30
You can add a couple of smilies to my last post.;):)
By: KabirT - 23rd July 2011 at 19:00
Moderator Message
take is easy chaps….this is about the last time now I will be able to say this nicely.
By: Lincoln 7 - 23rd July 2011 at 17:51
Hardly hypothetical.
Look at what has happened, and continues to happen, to rail ticket prices – despite huge public subsidy to the operating companies.
The same process would take place.
Curses! Even the geology of planet Earth conspires against plucky Little England! :rolleyes:
You’re starting to take this personally, Jim.Calm down, mate.
I am having a good laugh at this Lance, simply, because I have turned the tables, and using your very well tutored way of putting people in a corner.
Your awful, but nice, (when you want to be)
Jim.
Lincoln .7
By: Sky High - 23rd July 2011 at 17:46
Why should they subsidise prices which by their own policies they have driven up?
You do not invest in companies if the government of the day has the ability to control the prices the business charges. It might as well be nationalised.
Savings rates are directly related to interest rates, as you know. The government, in the name of the BoE, is keeping rates well below the inflation rate so effectively all but high risk savings are losing money year on year.
By: Grey Area - 23rd July 2011 at 17:41
What your stating is hypothetical, and even you can’t say what would happen, go on, prove your theory.
Hardly hypothetical.
Look at what has happened, and continues to happen, to rail ticket prices – despite huge public subsidy to the operating companies.
The same process would take place.
And as for Johnny Foreigner, he can get stuffed as far as I am concerned, because it’s they who provide our gas or most of it.
Curses! Even the geology of planet Earth conspires against plucky Little England! :rolleyes:
Your always going on at others, now you have your chance to prove your theory.about what would happen.
You’re starting to take this personally, Jim.
Calm down, mate.
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July 23, 2011 at 10:38 am