UK sites with metered electricity

Posted on 15/11/2021 21:01 by DavidKlyne

It does seem strange that there is no plan. Also thanks to Peedee for reminding us what was said four years ago and there doesn't seem to be any change since?

I suppose the club have three possible options.

1) They can continue to just add any increased utility costs to the site fees. Depending on the volatility of the energy market this could go unseen by many members as there is no correlation between rising energy costs and rising site fees that is published.

2) They could dampen demand for electricity by limiting the number of amps that are available to either 6 or 10. I suspect that would go over the heads of many members and probably cause more work for the wardens in trying to explain why they can no longer use the electrical items they once could. Whilst some members have said they can manage of a lower number of amps, something you are often forced to do when abroad, I suspect many members would prefer the easy life of not having to think about it?

3) They could introduce electricity metering which even the Club acknowledge would be the fairest way of charging for energy. Although in the longer term this would be the best option, logistically it is not without its problems. Even if the Club decided to go ahead it would be impossible to complete the task over a relatively short time so for quite a while you would have differences across the network. So anyone of a tour could encounter both metered and non-metered sites on a regular basis. Whichever way you look at it the cost would be massive and probably drain any refurbishment of sites budget for several years! We also don't know what will happen to our hobby in ten years time, will it be as popular as we get nearer to the point where ICE vehicles start to disappear? So its going to be a brave person who makes that decision?

David

Posted on 16/11/2021 16:54 by SeeFarers

Thank you peedee, I claim brain fade due to age.

However. I still think given the scenario I tried to paint is an extreme one, I believe the problem is not as big an issue requiring the investment that some are advocating and likely to be counter productive.

Posted on 17/11/2021 07:40 by peedee

Well I know how much I use because I have statyed on sites both here in the UK and on the Continent which use meters. Typically in the summer months it is 4Kw per day and has always cost less than £1 per day. In the winter using electic heating that can easily increase to over 24Kw a day or £6 to £7 per day. I have seen mention of 40Kw per day on here and one CL owner mentioned a customer using £8 per day!

I would think the Club does not know what the typical pitch usage is for the seasons unless they measure pitch consumption separately from site consumption. Unlikely in my view.

peedee

 

Posted on 17/11/2021 07:40 by peedee

Well I know how much I use because I have statyed on sites both here in the UK and on the Continent which use meters. Typically in the summer months it is 4Kw per day and has always cost less than £1 per day. In the winter using electic heating that can easily increase to over 24Kw a day or £6 to £7 per day. I have seen mention of 40Kw per day on here and one CL owner mentioned a customer using £8 per day!

I would think the Club does not know what the typical pitch usage is for the seasons unless they measure pitch consumption separately from site consumption. Unlikely in my view.

peedee

 

Posted on 17/11/2021 10:06 by young thomas

So much for 'grade 3 insulation' a boldly made statement throughout the industry....

however, this 'test' (raising the internal temp to 25 deg when it's freezing outside) is only achieved by running the boiler on 4 or 6kw gas....how green is that.

despite what some say on here, 900w is pitiful to try and heat a large MH or caravan when it's freezing outside...

one of the best ways of getting good ramp up then easing back as things warm up is to use MIX....this uses gas (2 or 4 kw) and electric (900/1800w) until the temperature rises and then the gas eases back....to nothing...leaving the electric to maintain the desired temperature...

no need to be switching the unit around re fuel settings, just let it do its thing.

Posted on 17/11/2021 07:40 by peedee

Well I know how much I use because I have statyed on sites both here in the UK and on the Continent which use meters. Typically in the summer months it is 4Kw per day and has always cost less than £1 per day. In the winter using electic heating that can easily increase to over 24Kw a day or £6 to £7 per day. I have seen mention of 40Kw per day on here and one CL owner mentioned a customer using £8 per day!

I would think the Club does not know what the typical pitch usage is for the seasons unless they measure pitch consumption separately from site consumption. Unlikely in my view.

peedee

 

Posted on 17/11/2021 10:19 by Cornersteady

despite what some say on here, 900w is pitiful to try and heat a large MH or caravan when it's freezing outside..

I disagree, I've now idea about heating a MH and wouldn't resume to talk about them and perhaps a MH with all that glass in front to lose heat out would be pitiful? We have always had a large 6 six berth caravan and after warm up 900W is more than enough. In fact the heat thermostat is often at 3 out of 5 otherwise we're too warm, and yes that was was it was cold enough to freeze the water tap at the bollard.

I am certain you know what you talking about for MH but as you have never owned a caravan or even stayed in one how do you know?

Posted on 17/11/2021 10:32 by Cornersteady

I would think the Club does not know what the typical pitch usage is for the seasons unless they measure pitch consumption separately from site consumption. Unlikely in my view.

Of course it is unlikely, impossible I would say, as to measure pitch consumption as that would require a meter at the pitch, would does not happen and will not happen for a good time yet. What you saying is I wonder how much a particular room uses in a house? What good is that?

Also there is the slight problem that while pitches remain in one place the people on it will change. One day you will have an outfit using 20Kw , the very next day (assuming same weather conditions) 10Kw?  So what is the point of knowing what a particular pitch will use?

But they will know site consumption certainly per month, perhaps even per day? then an average can be calculated and then let the central limit theorem do it's job.