Meter readings

[Dave2002]

I just checked the price of wood from the supplier we've been using for the last couple of years. The "good" wood (probably imported) has gone up by 50%, while the softwood has gone up by 25%.

We still have some wood from previous years, but clearly our fall back plans will have to be reappraised. Oil has gone up by a factor of around 1.8 - or 180% compared with last winter. However the main concern is really supply continuity. If there are electricity power cuts which last a long while, then we will have a considerable problem.

[oddoneout]

I just checked the price of wood from the supplier we've been using for the last couple of years. The "good" wood (probably imported) has gone up by 50%, while the softwood has gone up by 25%.

We still have some wood from previous years, but clearly our fall back plans will have to be reappraised. Oil has gone up by a factor of around 1.8 - or 180% compared with last winter. However the main concern is really supply continuity. If there are electricity power cuts which last a long while, then we will have a considerable problem.

My understanding is that the cuts will be pre-arranged/notified 3 hour blocks during which the supply may be reduced or cut off. Messaging would use the existing alert system that National Grid has - I am on the register to get recorded telephone alerts/notifications as I'm over 60 and live alone - their suggestion not my request! If this arrangement is used then it should mean no very long periods without power - unless of course the weather causes problems...
It is a measure of the way medical science has progressed that there is great concern about people dependent on electricity to run life supporting equipment at home - dialysis, ventilators etc. In the 70s such patients would be in hospitals, which have their own arrangements.
More here https://www.theguardian.com/business...-great-britain

[Serial_Apologist]

I see that the govt has now decided to issue licences for further N Sea oil extraction - somewhat undermining their claim to be energy efficiency compliant, on the basis that time for transitioning has to be allowed, since it will take years to establish the oil platforms and the rest of it - whereas solar panels and onshore wind turbines could be installed in a fraction of the time.

[Dave2002]

My understanding is that the cuts will be pre-arranged/notified 3 hour blocks during which the supply may be reduced or cut off. Messaging would use the existing alert system that National Grid has - I am on the register to get recorded telephone alerts/notifications as I'm over 60 and live alone - their suggestion not my request! If this arrangement is used then it should mean no very long periods without power - unless of course the weather causes problems...
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It is not planned cuts that I'm primarily concerned about - though those would not be good. We live in an area where sometimes power outages can go on for a long while, though fortunately none have been so bad in the last year that they have caused us major problems. They are certainly inconvenient, and I probably ought to buy some more batteries for torches which may be needed, particularly for power cuts at night.

[Dave2002]

This recent article from the Torygraph suggests that not everyone is happy with heat pumps. However, if we don't try heat pumps, what are the best options?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/uk/have-better-without-heat-pump-how-improve-homes-energy-efficiency/

[gradus]

I just checked the price of wood from the supplier we've been using for the last couple of years. The "good" wood (probably imported) has gone up by 50%, while the softwood has gone up by 25%.

We still have some wood from previous years, but clearly our fall back plans will have to be reappraised. Oil has gone up by a factor of around 1.8 - or 180% compared with last winter. However the main concern is really supply continuity. If there are electricity power cuts which last a long while, then we will have a considerable problem.

The kiln dried firewood I buy has risen in price from £179 for a 1.2cu.mtr. crate to £269, whereas our local air-dried source has risen from £110 a load to £120; the difference in burn quality doesn't merit the extra cost of kiln-dried.

[Dave2002]

The kiln dried firewood I buy has risen in price from £179 for a 1.2cu.mtr. crate to £269, whereas our local air-dried source has risen from £110 a load to £120; the difference in burn quality doesn't merit the extra cost of kiln-dried.

By air dried do you mean stacked in a shed for a year or so?

I agree that it probably doesn't make sense to use kiln dried, unless that is likely to give rise to other problems. I guess it depends on how wet the wood is.

[oddoneout]

This recent article from the Torygraph suggests that not everyone is happy with heat pumps. However, if we don't try heat pumps, what are the best options?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property...gy-efficiency/

Can't read the article I'm afraid (don't want to sign up for a "free trial"), so don't know the specific points raised. Heat pumps have their place but they are not, as the government wants us to believe, a straight swap for gas(or oil) boilers either in terms of function, or ease ( or even possibility) of installation. I don't know what effect the current electricity price increases have had on the economics - the cost of running the pump in relation to the amount of heating achieved for those who don't have their own PV array to offset either directly or indirectly that cost.

[french frank]

By air dried do you mean stacked in a shed for a year or so?

I agree that it probably doesn't make sense to use kiln dried, unless that is likely to give rise to other problems. I guess it depends on how wet the wood is.

It takes usually 2 years to season hardwoods. Then if it's stacked to dry it depends on the surrounding humidity. Kiln-dried is supposed to burn hotter and cleaner, reducing the number of logs needed and decreasing emissions. Against that are the general costs of drying in kilns and consequent increased selling price.

[Pulcinella]

On checking the bank statement that arrived this morning, I spotted that my E.ON direct debit had increased: by all of £0.01! So last month they took £25.01 instead of the usual £25.00. I wonder why, not least as the account is in credit!

If I can bear contemplating losing the will to live, I might try to phone them, ostensibly wondering what's going to happen to the account with respect to the government's imminent handout, but also wondering about this very odd penny that I seem to have spent.

[oddoneout]

By air dried do you mean stacked in a shed for a year or so?

I agree that it probably doesn't make sense to use kiln dried, unless that is likely to give rise to other problems. I guess it depends on how wet the wood is.

I've always felt rather uneasy abut the idea of kiln dried firewood - there seems something slightly off about expending energy to dry wood for burning when it is possible to airdry to an acceptable level. For construction timber, especially joinery there is perhaps some justification in terms of consistency and quality. Kilndrying does speed up the process dramatically though, days rather than years, so easier to manage in terms of storage space and should guarantee suitable moisture levels.
In theory now it shouldn't matter that much in terms of burn quality or emissions level since it is illegal to sell amounts of less than 2 cu metres as "wet" wood (or wood above , I think, 20% moisture level) for fires, but in practice? Something else that'll go by the board given the current fuel crisis I imagine, whether deliberately by suppliers ignoring the regulations, or from individual action trying to find a source of heating and not being in a position to worry about the niceties of environmental or health concerns - chemicals from wood treatments. Piles of wood will be joining copper cable as targets for theft I reckon. Piles of logs left for wildlife could find themselves being "re-homed". Anecdotally, "foraging" has already started round here.

[antongould]

On checking the bank statement that arrived this morning, I spotted that my E.ON direct debit had increased: by all of £0.01! So last month they took £25.01 instead of the usual £25.00. I wonder why, not least as the account is in credit!

If I can bear contemplating losing the will to live, I might try to phone them, ostensibly wondering what's going to happen to the account with respect to the government's imminent handout, but also wondering about this very odd penny that I seem to have spent.

Do you pay a, usually, fixed £25 per month …… ??????

[Pulcinella]

Do you pay a, usually, fixed £25 per month …… ??????

Currently (no pun intended) yes.
Solar panels and battery, so very little taken from the grid.

[antongould]

Currently (no pun intended) yes.
Solar panels and battery, so very little taken from the grid.

As I read the, rather unclear, position your supplier will not take any direct debit payment in the months October to March and each month they will credit your bill with £42 (£67 - £25) …..

[gradus]

By air dried do you mean stacked in a shed for a year or so?

I agree that it probably doesn't make sense to use kiln dried, unless that is likely to give rise to other problems. I guess it depends on how wet the wood is.

Exactly. Some wood that is sold as air-dried comes from trees that are dead and thus sap free, as long as they're not left out in the rain the job is done by nature and is as good as kilning and much cheaper. The acid test for firewood is obviously whether or not it burns cleanly, if not leave it for a while under cover, unless of course its one of the woods that isn't much good for burning eg Alder or Willow, though even these will eventually season.