Winter Sucks

[McApple]

The power line that services our area runs about 50 miles, mostly through forested areas. We live in the woods, and are pretty much at the end of our branch line, so outages are quite common and can last for hours, days, and in a number of instances, weeks. What started off as our cottage (recreational home), turned into our permanent residence about 20 years ago when we retired. For many years we relied on portable generators in the 5kw-8kw range for backup, progressing from extension cords, to back-feeding the panel, to a transfer switch. The portables worked OK, but winters were a chore, as was keeping fuel & oil on hand, and the maintenance.

Seven years ago we had 22kw Generac installed, along with an automatic transfer switch and a 500 gallon propane tank; not cheap, but we couldn't be happier. The generator does and self-test once a week and we have it serviced annually.

 

[RunForTheHills]

My mother energy bill was 4500 dollars equivalent last year, lives alone in a bog standard semi detatched.
Thats half of her government pension.

We are completely fuxed in this country
Add in her local taxes and its 7000 dollars.
People are just going on benefits, they cant afford to live with a job.

About ten years ago, I did a project on Guam for the local power company there (owned by the government of Guam). Guam is an island near the equator and is hot all year long. So they run their air conditioners 24/7/365. Fuel oil for the power company's generators is brought in by ship and consequently power is very expensive there. IIRC, the average power bill for a home on the island was over $800/mo back then and is probably more today. And salaries are very low on the island.

I think that the UK energy costs skyrocketed after Russia invaded Ukraine. But you would know the cause better than I would.

 

[Chargeride]

Yup pretty well, but also energy companies becoming hedge funds, net zero, gas pricing tariffs and a 80bn dollar Nuclear plant that will never be finished.
Some Swedes are claiming to be paying 1100 dollars a month for energy during the winter months as all the exporting tariffs and demand drastically alters the pricing.

Bring on global warming