Whatever your fuel of choice to heat a home maybe, whether it’s gas, electricity, a mix of both, or for the select few, off-grid heating, being aware of rising energy prices should be an issue, which should sit high up on everyones agenda, not only to save money, but to help save the environment.
Electricity Prices:
Electricity prices rose 61% between 2004 and 2016; of this increase, around half (31 percentage points) was due to a rise in wholesale and network costs, 7 percentage points to the impact of non-climate policies levied on consumers, and 25 percentage points to the impact of climate policies.
Gas Prices:
Gas prices rose 98% between 2004 and 2016; of this increase, the majority (84 percentage points) was due to a rise in wholesale, network and supplier costs, 11 percentage points to the impact of non-climate policies levied on consumers, and 3 percentage points to the impact of climate policies.
Whether you use gas or electricity to heat your home, or both, you would have no doubt felt these price increases to differing degrees. With these steep increases in mind, and the continued pressure to use less energy, now is the time to think more about the efficiency of your home heating.
What You Can Do?
Switching to a high efficiency gas or electric fire, like those found in the Charlton & Jenrick range in place of older, less efficient appliances can save a significant amount of energy. The LED effect on our electric fires for example, are a fraction of the cost to run, compared to the old style fires. Great for the environment and your wallet (or purse!).
Deciding to switch to wood burning although for some may not be as practical, can have significant savings, both environmental and financial. With burning wood you know exactly how much you are using, and modern day stoves have an efficiency of over 80%. This means 80% of the heat a fire produces goes on directly heating a room. In comparison an old open fire would have an efficiency of only around 25%.
UK Prices Compared to other EU Countries:
The price of energy is increasing. However how does the UK compare to other countries? The below diagrams outline the cost of electricity and gas in the UK compared to other EU countries.
Whilst we may think we have high fuel prices, we are below the median range for the EU for both gas and electricity. In terms of UK energy total household usage, this figure has actually reduced despite households having more computers, dishwasher etc…This is due to improved efficiency of appliances and improved home insulation.
Although fires and stoves have great improved in efficiency in recent years, so have many other household appliances. All of which, are making for a cleaner, greener future.
