Smart Metering Trial

The reduction could change with “dynamic pricing” 

So roughly 5kw per day. That is useful to know. Makes it even more important to know price of electricity on club site.

None of us know, Steve, and we are all speculating but one would assume that CAMC measures usage in terms of kWh. If that is so, they would surely have converted the average kWh into £s based on current (pardon the pun) costs rather than out of date figures in order to arrive at the figures for reductions. For all we know, though, CAMC could be paying the same price as last year at those sites as so much depends on their contracts. The tariffs will likely bear no relationship to domestic costs and contracts.

For those who want to know the cost of electricity to CAMC, if I recall correctly, under the secondary supplier (SS) regs I think the cost to the SS (CAMC) has to be displayed if electricity is resold by meter because the SS is not allowed to charge more than that figure. The display of costs will bear checking as my memory is hazy on that point.

I am still trying to get my head round this. My experience of metered pitches has been via meter readings at start and end of stay, so this is very different.

If I understand correctly, any one staying at the sites in question has two choices, no hook up or download an app. Are the club confident that everyone likely to want electricity has a device on which to download an app? I could download one on to my I pad, but not my phone which I rarely use. My partner would really struggle, he uses his phone less than I do. Both of us are well used to technology but desk top computers and my I pad.

I am not sure how money is transferred onto the app. Very definitely not everyone uses internet banking. Initially at least I would expect people would want to keep checking the app to ensure they are not going to run out of electricity, and top up as necessary. Again, are the club convinced that all visitors use the internet whilst on site? I know a lot do, but all? I would also think that many would be cautious bout using the club internet for transferring money.

I know someone will say that people should just embrace modern technology, but everyone sees any need to do so. And I don’t think paying for electricity via an app on club Wi-Fi would be a good introduction!

This sort of minimal reduction in the summer months could well generate long queues for dish washing and showers, thus increasing the hot water use there, and possibly the cleaning required.

Those who prefer to wash up in the van and use their own shower facilities will certainly be disadvantaged on costs.

It sounds a bit of a complicated operating system to me, and given we are visitors that go out every day in our MH, and if we leave our dog in the MH, always unplug from the bollard, then it’s not a user friendly system for us personally. But credit to the Club for at least arriving at the party, if late.

Having or not having a smart phone, choosing to use Apps or not using Apps, being willing to pre load a system, or not, are all personal choices that visitors will need to weigh up for themselves.

Our only choice experiences have been with or without EHU, with a decent price differential between the two. Only metering we have come across has been to push a coin into a slot for a shower (usually a very good one). We have benefitted from a previous users credit, likewise we don’t quibble if there’s a bit of shower time left. All very easy to use. 

As you say TW it is all speculation at this stage. However I know even with our minimal use in summer with fridge, battery charger and hot water we would be using 6 Kw or so a day. Even if the CC rate is only 25p per Kw hour ( which I doubt)  a £1 reduction is going to fall well short of average usage, as this will also include electric kettles, hot plates and toasters. I agree with other posters that this is only a trial and rates are not set in stone. However, for July in particular they do seem to have been set unrealistically low.

..... unless the club starts charging for showers, 

That sounds about right DD.   When our fridge mains element failed while in Norway one year, and we could not source a replacement in good time, we had to run the F/F on LPG, one  of our 6kg refillables lasted for 2 weeks.

We have caravanned quite a lot in countries like Germany, Austria and Denmark where electricity is often metered, and expensive, and have found that between running the F/F on electricity, charging the battery, and some lighting and odds and ends, the lowest we could get per day was 5-6 kWh.

( of which at least 4kWh was usually included in the ACSI price)

That was in addition to cooking on gas and heating some water.    We do not have a solar panel

It does say in the FAQs that the commercial rate paid by the Club is more than domestic rates........but not what they are basing that on.

Would certainly be more than anyone on a long domestic fix is paying, but could be less than the current domestic EPG rates most of us are now paying if the site is still on a good fixed rate.

Without actual numbers, it means very little.  The price per kWh needs to be clearly stated on the site page.

We have been looking at CLs for June/July and have found some that are metering the electricity, and have reduced pitch prices by several £££, but again there is no indication given on what the unit price would be.  Presumably  we could contact them to ask, but the lack of details on their websites just makes  making decisions more difficult.