Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
Don’t let facts get in the way of a good “Labour are just as shit as us” gloat
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
Of course there is, in a universe where it isn't value for money.
If it costs a hundred million over the lifetime of an investment to reduce waste which would cost us a billion to generate over the same timescale then it is worthwhile.
If it cost a billion over the lifetime of an investment to reduce waste which would cost us a hundred million to generate over the same timescale then it is not worthwhile.
We all know from personal experience (and you must know, living in a modern and presumably very well insulated house) that every investment in insulation, boring as it may be, pays off many times over. Same as double and triple glazing. It is just about the most cost effective thing we can do as a country to reduce demand. And it saves the household money they can spend on other things.
It is but the homeowner should pay for it not our fellow taxpayers (unless it is means tested)
If we do hit brownouts then it's going to cause a further loss of confidence in UK plc which, you've guessed it will push gilts up again...
I'm not sure the UK can take another 4 years of this.
Yes, this week has been particularly bruising for the UK. We're adrift economically, there's a domestic political crisis that the PM has failed to tackle and will be dragged into kicking and screaming now that he's got dissent from within Labour itself and there's no end in sight.
I've said this before, I'm shocked as to how little homework Labour did in the run up to the election. They really seem to have thought that by not being the Tories they could magic up £150bn in additional corporate investment to fire up the economy. I really don't think they realised that raising taxes on businesses would tank economic growth because their utterances about going for growth but then also putting up NI by such a huge amount is diametrically opposed. It is the single most destructive tax on jobs and investment as companies claw back additional costs.
Add in to the equation Trump winning the POTUS and about to take office on a hugely inflationary budget, we have the perfect storm and an event on the 20th January with enormous worldwide implications
Reforms ascent may well continue, but also the trend across the west is towards right wing governments with only Starmer trying to stem the tide like Canute
I expect depressing times ahead for Labour and their supporters
Here's the thing though.
The rise of Reform may be bad for Labour. I certainly think it's bad for the country.
But it's a matter of life and death for the Conservatives. And at the moment, Conservatives don't seem to realise that following the talking points of the new right bubble (I hope that's neutral enough, it's not just That Thing) strengthens Reform at the Conservatives' expense.
The basic problem for the Tories is that their leader does not look "prime ministerial". Neither does Farage but that's not really such a problem for Reform. The Tory MPs mightily screwed up when they managed to exclude Cleverly. Kemi is William Hague mk 2 - very able, but simply not the right person for the times.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Which brings us back to insulation and double glazing. Our house is too leaky for one at the moment, but we are gradually addressing that.
The heat pump market is going to be disrupted soon too. Octopus are starting installations at much lower prices than hitherto. The up front cost is the biggest obstacle at the moment but that will change.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
Of course there is, in a universe where it isn't value for money.
If it costs a hundred million over the lifetime of an investment to reduce waste which would cost us a billion to generate over the same timescale then it is worthwhile.
If it cost a billion over the lifetime of an investment to reduce waste which would cost us a hundred million to generate over the same timescale then it is not worthwhile.
We all know from personal experience (and you must know, living in a modern and presumably very well insulated house) that every investment in insulation, boring as it may be, pays off many times over. Same as double and triple glazing. It is just about the most cost effective thing we can do as a country to reduce demand. And it saves the household money they can spend on other things.
It is but the homeowner should pay for it not our fellow taxpayers (unless it is means tested)
It’s putting money back into taxpayers pockets. Like a tax cut.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Which brings us back to insulation and double glazing. Our house is too leaky for one at the moment, but we are gradually addressing that.
The heat pump market is going to be disrupted soon too. Octopus are starting installations at much lower prices than hitherto. The up front cost is the biggest obstacle at the moment but that will change.
I think it gets disrupted by three phase electric boilers, should we get to the point of having sufficient nuclear energy generation with SMRs. My wife's best friend has recently bought a house with one of them and she says it's just like having a proper on demand gas boiler, no tank system required for good water pressure.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
I think the older the property is the before about 1800 the more likely it is compatible because they used to use very thick layers of cement/brickwork to keep the cold out because there was no proper heating available in cold winters. Lots of housing stock in Switzerland is similarly built, the older the building the better it is at retaining heat in the winter and keeping cool in the summer. British housing is singularly poor across Europe for both of these.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Which brings us back to insulation and double glazing. Our house is too leaky for one at the moment, but we are gradually addressing that.
The heat pump market is going to be disrupted soon too. Octopus are starting installations at much lower prices than hitherto. The up front cost is the biggest obstacle at the moment but that will change.
I think it gets disrupted by three phase electric boilers, should we get to the point of having sufficient nuclear energy generation with SMRs. My wife's best friend has recently bought a house with one of them and she says it's just like having a proper on demand gas boiler, no tank system required for good water pressure.
Ordinary domestic properties don’t have three phase power supplies
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
Of course there is, in a universe where it isn't value for money.
If it costs a hundred million over the lifetime of an investment to reduce waste which would cost us a billion to generate over the same timescale then it is worthwhile.
If it cost a billion over the lifetime of an investment to reduce waste which would cost us a hundred million to generate over the same timescale then it is not worthwhile.
We all know from personal experience (and you must know, living in a modern and presumably very well insulated house) that every investment in insulation, boring as it may be, pays off many times over. Same as double and triple glazing. It is just about the most cost effective thing we can do as a country to reduce demand. And it saves the household money they can spend on other things.
It is but the homeowner should pay for it not our fellow taxpayers (unless it is means tested)
It’s putting money back into taxpayers pockets. Like a tax cut.
Why should the wealthy have a tax cut - it was removed for the WFP and so with these other bungs
We do not have the money if we want our NHS, Education, and Law and order financed
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Which brings us back to insulation and double glazing. Our house is too leaky for one at the moment, but we are gradually addressing that.
The heat pump market is going to be disrupted soon too. Octopus are starting installations at much lower prices than hitherto. The up front cost is the biggest obstacle at the moment but that will change.
I think it gets disrupted by three phase electric boilers, should we get to the point of having sufficient nuclear energy generation with SMRs. My wife's best friend has recently bought a house with one of them and she says it's just like having a proper on demand gas boiler, no tank system required for good water pressure.
Ordinary domestic properties don’t have three phase power supplies
No obviously not, but the cost of having 3P power installed is much lower than all of the insulation costs of heat pumps being able to operate.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
Two points:
1 - Ait to Air heat pumps are much more reasonably priced.
2 - ASHPs are ramping up gradually, and big grants are available. I can't comment on the numbers at present as I'm not over the detail. It has been the case that the Octopus option, used judicially, is not massively more than the grant. But in some places prices seemed to jump up by a number remarkably similar to the grant.
One of the things done under Sunak (may have been Boris) was to make at least one ECO4 grant available more generously to Owner Occupiers than to renters, in that it cut in for DEF EPC ratings, rather than EF for rentals. I know that because it meant I could not get one as my otherwise eligible property (tenant on LHA) is a D because I always improve them.
3 - @rcs1000 is this your London or USA property? The Usonians use pretty much 2-3 times as much energy than us for everything, so I would hope a comprehensive scheme would have potential to cut more than 1/3. But it's a great move that you have done.
I don't understand almost theological opposition to such. Lee Anderson on Drax Power Station not using coal is quite a good show.
Next time people discuss the grooming story I will have to issue bans, my requests asking you nicely to not discuss the story isn't working.
Just because somebody else discusses the story doesn't give you an excuse to discuss the story.
Can we discuss Andy Burnham's political aspirations in a neutral way, given that it might have betting implications?
Yes.
My view is that Burnham is focused in GM. His position being discussed in various newspaper headlines is one which is likely to find favour in GM and hold off Reform locally. GM Labour worry about Reform in a way they don't about the Tories, particularly in Rochdale and Oldham.
I suspect it will help Burnham nationally too.
Arguably, but possibly not among the Labour Party nationally, which is the constituency to which he would need to appeal were he to have ambitions to lead the party.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
I’m sorry but that’s simply not possible because we were told several times by PB Righties that heat pumps can never work in climes like the UK’s.
If we do hit brownouts then it's going to cause a further loss of confidence in UK plc which, you've guessed it will push gilts up again...
I'm not sure the UK can take another 4 years of this.
Yes, this week has been particularly bruising for the UK. We're adrift economically, there's a domestic political crisis that the PM has failed to tackle and will be dragged into kicking and screaming now that he's got dissent from within Labour itself and there's no end in sight.
I've said this before, I'm shocked as to how little homework Labour did in the run up to the election. They really seem to have thought that by not being the Tories they could magic up £150bn in additional corporate investment to fire up the economy. I really don't think they realised that raising taxes on businesses would tank economic growth because their utterances about going for growth but then also putting up NI by such a huge amount is diametrically opposed. It is the single most destructive tax on jobs and investment as companies claw back additional costs.
Add in to the equation Trump winning the POTUS and about to take office on a hugely inflationary budget, we have the perfect storm and an event on the 20th January with enormous worldwide implications
Reforms ascent may well continue, but also the trend across the west is towards right wing governments with only Starmer trying to stem the tide like Canute
I expect depressing times ahead for Labour and their supporters
Here's the thing though.
The rise of Reform may be bad for Labour. I certainly think it's bad for the country.
But it's a matter of life and death for the Conservatives. And at the moment, Conservatives don't seem to realise that following the talking points of the new right bubble (I hope that's neutral enough, it's not just That Thing) strengthens Reform at the Conservatives' expense.
The basic problem for the Tories is that their leader does not look "prime ministerial". Neither does Farage but that's not really such a problem for Reform. The Tory MPs mightily screwed up when they managed to exclude Cleverly. Kemi is William Hague mk 2 - very able, but simply not the right person for the times.
Would Cleverly be doing much better? He might have won a few more over from Labour but given Labour are already down to below 30% they have little further to be squeezed. Cleverly wouldn't have won over Reform voters anymore than Kemi is either.
Hague too did about as well as any Tory leader would have post 1997 as well, Clarke might have done a bit better but would still have lost heavily to Blair in 2001 and leaked more Tories to UKIP than Hague did
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Which brings us back to insulation and double glazing. Our house is too leaky for one at the moment, but we are gradually addressing that.
The heat pump market is going to be disrupted soon too. Octopus are starting installations at much lower prices than hitherto. The up front cost is the biggest obstacle at the moment but that will change.
And that takes us back to one of the reasons that we are where we are... something about the British mindset exaggerates the human tendency to over-value now (it means spending £big upfront) and undervalue the future (it brings in, or it saves £smaller every year, and smaller multipled by not many years exceeds big).
A state nudge to get over that mental barrier seems worth doing; future Britain will thank us overall, even if it means somewhat more tax.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Most of the changes for an ASHP (which I assume you are talking about) also apply to any other system you are using, and will provide similar benefit.
I expect a bill reduction of 30-50% over what it was before for a traditional house whilst still using a gas boiler when renovating. Listing introduces complications, and it is the stuff to do first, as it is the base.
It really comes down to insulating and air-proofing and ventilating the envelope.
Plus, as I mentioned, A2A heat pumps have their uses.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
We're much better suited than most countries, given only 15% of us live in flats (compared with nearly 60% in Germany). For the same reason we are probably the best placed country in the developed world for charging EVs overnight.
It's flats like mine (Scottish tenement) that will cause the most bother. Some sort of heating system on the roof? EV charger off a lamppost?
On the other hand, the most remote parts of Scotland are leading the way - eg the Highlands, where 72% of households are off the gas grid and it's already 50:50 on electric heating v heating oil. There are loads of heat pumps when you start looking for them. And solar.
Another huge takedown of wokeism in the US, a federal judge has ruled that Biden didn't have authority to expand Title IX protections because it was originally enacted by Congress so only Congress can amend/expand it. Woke politics really is in absolute ruin in the US, by the end of 2025 I think this will have expanded to the UK too. Social media is swinging to away from it rapidly and that will tell sooner rather than later. The "it's called being polite" defence is already failing among people I know.
Depends where you go, wokeism will remain on university campuses and in the public sector even if some of the big corporations stop pushing it quite as hard
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
I’m sorry but that’s simply not possible because we were told several times by PB Righties that heat pumps can never work in climes like the UK’s.
Most homes in Sweden too, but what do they know of cold weather?
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
I’m sorry but that’s simply not possible because we were told several times by PB Righties that heat pumps can never work in climes like the UK’s.
Nobody has said that? It's more that houses in the UK are not built with good insulation in mind. As I said, we were quoted tens of thousands for our house to be brought up to the right level of insulation required plus the pump itself. The major cost was insulation, though. Without doing it the installer said the house would never feel warm in the winter because the heat pump isn't able to heat up water as much as a gas boiler.
If we do hit brownouts then it's going to cause a further loss of confidence in UK plc which, you've guessed it will push gilts up again...
I'm not sure the UK can take another 4 years of this.
Yes, this week has been particularly bruising for the UK. We're adrift economically, there's a domestic political crisis that the PM has failed to tackle and will be dragged into kicking and screaming now that he's got dissent from within Labour itself and there's no end in sight.
I've said this before, I'm shocked as to how little homework Labour did in the run up to the election. They really seem to have thought that by not being the Tories they could magic up £150bn in additional corporate investment to fire up the economy. I really don't think they realised that raising taxes on businesses would tank economic growth because their utterances about going for growth but then also putting up NI by such a huge amount is diametrically opposed. It is the single most destructive tax on jobs and investment as companies claw back additional costs.
Add in to the equation Trump winning the POTUS and about to take office on a hugely inflationary budget, we have the perfect storm and an event on the 20th January with enormous worldwide implications
Reforms ascent may well continue, but also the trend across the west is towards right wing governments with only Starmer trying to stem the tide like Canute
I expect depressing times ahead for Labour and their supporters
By the end of next year Labour could be the only left of centre majority government left in the G7 and the core Anglosphere, with the possible exception of Australia though their election next year is too close to call
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
I’m sorry but that’s simply not possible because we were told several times by PB Righties that heat pumps can never work in climes like the UK’s.
Most homes in Sweden too, but what do they know of cold weather?
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
I’m sorry but that’s simply not possible because we were told several times by PB Righties that heat pumps can never work in climes like the UK’s.
This is not a 'righty' thing, this is an affordability issue and with a brand new A rated gas combi boiler costing about £2,500 as mine was then it is not something your average person is even going to consider
Anyway the government has scrapped the plan to ban gas boilers by 2035
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
I’m sorry but that’s simply not possible because we were told several times by PB Righties that heat pumps can never work in climes like the UK’s.
Most homes in Sweden too, but what do they know of cold weather?
Did people say that? I think the objections were more that our housing stock isn’t up to simply replacing gas or oil boilers with heat pumps as they are poorly insulated and thus may also need larger bore pipe work and bigger radiators.
And on gas 43% tonight (on one of the highest demand nights of the entire year). Thats currently 17gw, and wind is 13gw - about 55% of its theoretical max output.
The current development pipeline for offshore and onshore wind power is 77gw and 43gw respectively. Not all of this will be built and up and running by 2030 of course, but take just half of that, and run it at 50% loading, and that’s 27gw. So actually, today we’d probably be 100% zero carbon.
There will still be much stiller days than today, but I’m not sure people grasp the sheer scale of generation that has come on stream in the last decade and is planned to come on in the next. On top of any CCGT capacity that’s already there. We are adding to our power generation massively, yet somehow people seem to see this perversely as leading to less electricity.
up and running is the issue - or at least connecting it to the grid and moving the power to regions of UK it is needed.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
I’m sorry but that’s simply not possible because we were told several times by PB Righties that heat pumps can never work in climes like the UK’s.
Most homes in Sweden too, but what do they know of cold weather?
A lot, so they are better insulated.
Which brings us back to the original point, that insulation is a great investment, boiler or no boiler.
'Labour are losing voters equally to left and right. Of those who voted Labour in 2024: 🔶7% have switched to the Liberal Democrats ➡️7% to Reform 🌳5% to Conservative 🌍4% to Green 🤷11% don’t know how they’d vote.' https://x.com/LukeTryl/status/1877417657521029525
If we do hit brownouts then it's going to cause a further loss of confidence in UK plc which, you've guessed it will push gilts up again...
I'm not sure the UK can take another 4 years of this.
Yes, this week has been particularly bruising for the UK. We're adrift economically, there's a domestic political crisis that the PM has failed to tackle and will be dragged into kicking and screaming now that he's got dissent from within Labour itself and there's no end in sight.
I've said this before, I'm shocked as to how little homework Labour did in the run up to the election. They really seem to have thought that by not being the Tories they could magic up £150bn in additional corporate investment to fire up the economy. I really don't think they realised that raising taxes on businesses would tank economic growth because their utterances about going for growth but then also putting up NI by such a huge amount is diametrically opposed. It is the single most destructive tax on jobs and investment as companies claw back additional costs.
Add in to the equation Trump winning the POTUS and about to take office on a hugely inflationary budget, we have the perfect storm and an event on the 20th January with enormous worldwide implications
Reforms ascent may well continue, but also the trend across the west is towards right wing governments with only Starmer trying to stem the tide like Canute
I expect depressing times ahead for Labour and their supporters
Here's the thing though.
The rise of Reform may be bad for Labour. I certainly think it's bad for the country.
But it's a matter of life and death for the Conservatives. And at the moment, Conservatives don't seem to realise that following the talking points of the new right bubble (I hope that's neutral enough, it's not just That Thing) strengthens Reform at the Conservatives' expense.
The basic problem for the Tories is that their leader does not look "prime ministerial". Neither does Farage but that's not really such a problem for Reform. The Tory MPs mightily screwed up when they managed to exclude Cleverly. Kemi is William Hague mk 2 - very able, but simply not the right person for the times.
Would Cleverly be doing much better? He might have won a few more over from Labour but given Labour are already down to below 30% they have little further to be squeezed. Cleverly wouldn't have won over Reform voters anymore than Kemi is either.
Hague too did about as well as any Tory leader would have post 1997 as well, Clarke might have done a bit better but would still have lost heavily to Blair in 2001 and leaked more Tories to UKIP than Hague did
Kemi is fine and she only has to worry if her party or membership turn against her, and the last membership survey had her topping the poll
Its one poll and its very amusing. The trend? Less amusing. Unless there is some kind of radical change in performance from Labour the conclusion that they have failed will be hard to avoid. The Tories? Failed hard, elected woke Queen, failing harder.
That leaves a vacuum and all kinds of things will get sucked in. Reform don't need to offer very much substantial to do very well - just show that they understand.
This is a poll in January 2025 showing mega-splittage and Reform doing very well. A map with an awful lot of purple on it. Now extend the trend forward and think what could be the same poll in 12 months time. Or 24 months...
The far right are on the march and are going to take some stopping, esp with Trump/Musk rolling the pitch. Can we avoid going that way here? Hope so, think so, but I am anxious about it. You think this sort of stuff can't gain critical mass in the UK until, oh, it has and it's here. Then what.
Probably the best way of stopping the far right is to stop calling everyone who disagrees with 'you' far right, then maybe some of that anxiety might dissipate.
He isn't calling everyone who disagree with him "far right". He's implying Musk and Trump are far right.
Musk has called for military force to overthrow the democratically-elected government and the immediate release of a violent repeat offender who led the English Defence League. There are also the tweets where Musk endorsed a Holocaust denier and where he said Jews were conspiring to flood the US with immigrants. If that's not far right, what is?
Trump has said he will deport US citizens, which would be in contravention of the US Constitution. He has spread conspiracy theories about immigrants. He is threatening to invade several countries because he wants their land. He encouraged a violent riot to try to overturn a democratic election 4 years ago. Again, seems pretty far right to me.
Stalin did all of that too.
It’s not “far right” it’s authoritarian / populist
I think that one element of academic definitions of Fascism that Trump possibly does not meet is placing the State above the individual, and that the fascism is an ideology. It's a grey judgement thou as Trump imo in a way regards the State as being a machine to serve his interests, and as a rhetoric to use ("America"), which involves oppressing anyone he needs to oppress.
In that sense Trump is perhaps more a tyrant without an ideology.
One interesting note I have seen today is on Elon Musk moving family (and staff?) into a house on the Mar-a-Lago estate. That is getting close to the icon of power.
There was a time soon after the Election when all of the Trump hangers on were around Mar-a-Lago likes bees to a honeypot, reminding the "Boss" of their presence to get their piece of flesh whilst he was reminded of them.
I'm still gong with a Great Leader and Associates plus Oligarchs, with the manipulated State at their service, model for my idea of the new Trump regime, and that being closest (apart from that voters were involved) to something like Venezuela or maybe Thailand.
We will see something like the remaining uncorrupted aspects of the Judiciary trying to slow him down, as it was the Judiciary system which has often resisted African tyrants. The former Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, was imprisoned by Idi Amin for 3 months, and physically beaten up when he was a High Court Advocate then Judge in 1974.
I'd agree with that analysis. Trump uses fascist methods and has quite a bit of philosophical overlap with fascist ideology in terms of rights, the role of the leader viz the nation, the purity of the nation etc but all that is overridden by his own interest so at base level, he's a wannabe autocrat without any guiding mission.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
I’m sorry but that’s simply not possible because we were told several times by PB Righties that heat pumps can never work in climes like the UK’s.
Most homes in Sweden too, but what do they know of cold weather?
A lot, so they are better insulated.
Which brings us back to the original point, that insulation is a great investment, boiler or no boiler.
Retrofitting anything in isolation can cause problems. If you have better insulation you need to worry about having adequate ventilation.
If we do hit brownouts then it's going to cause a further loss of confidence in UK plc which, you've guessed it will push gilts up again...
I'm not sure the UK can take another 4 years of this.
Yes, this week has been particularly bruising for the UK. We're adrift economically, there's a domestic political crisis that the PM has failed to tackle and will be dragged into kicking and screaming now that he's got dissent from within Labour itself and there's no end in sight.
I've said this before, I'm shocked as to how little homework Labour did in the run up to the election. They really seem to have thought that by not being the Tories they could magic up £150bn in additional corporate investment to fire up the economy. I really don't think they realised that raising taxes on businesses would tank economic growth because their utterances about going for growth but then also putting up NI by such a huge amount is diametrically opposed. It is the single most destructive tax on jobs and investment as companies claw back additional costs.
Add in to the equation Trump winning the POTUS and about to take office on a hugely inflationary budget, we have the perfect storm and an event on the 20th January with enormous worldwide implications
Reforms ascent may well continue, but also the trend across the west is towards right wing governments with only Starmer trying to stem the tide like Canute
I expect depressing times ahead for Labour and their supporters
Here's the thing though.
The rise of Reform may be bad for Labour. I certainly think it's bad for the country.
But it's a matter of life and death for the Conservatives. And at the moment, Conservatives don't seem to realise that following the talking points of the new right bubble (I hope that's neutral enough, it's not just That Thing) strengthens Reform at the Conservatives' expense.
The basic problem for the Tories is that their leader does not look "prime ministerial". Neither does Farage but that's not really such a problem for Reform. The Tory MPs mightily screwed up when they managed to exclude Cleverly. Kemi is William Hague mk 2 - very able, but simply not the right person for the times.
Would Cleverly be doing much better? He might have won a few more over from Labour but given Labour are already down to below 30% they have little further to be squeezed. Cleverly wouldn't have won over Reform voters anymore than Kemi is either.
Hague too did about as well as any Tory leader would have post 1997 as well, Clarke might have done a bit better but would still have lost heavily to Blair in 2001 and leaked more Tories to UKIP than Hague did
UKIP were miniscule in 2001. Did they even retain a deposit?
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
I’m sorry but that’s simply not possible because we were told several times by PB Righties that heat pumps can never work in climes like the UK’s.
The early ones were marginal, and there was a rash of scumbag/idiot installers bodging them into existing homes and creating a fuck up.
The current ones are far better. Get an actual expert to design the system.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
I’m sorry but that’s simply not possible because we were told several times by PB Righties that heat pumps can never work in climes like the UK’s.
Most homes in Sweden too, but what do they know of cold weather?
Did people say that? I think the objections were more that our housing stock isn’t up to simply replacing gas or oil boilers with heat pumps as they are poorly insulated and thus may also need larger bore pipe work and bigger radiators.
Indeed, the reason we looked into the heat pump was because I liked the efficiency aspect and I thought I could do "our bit" to reduce reliance on gas, then the quote came through for insulation so we both said "nah fuck it". We'd budgeted up to £8k for it but the quote blew that out of the water by some distance, again mostly on insulation (and damp proofing due to the additional insulation increasing moisture retention).
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
I’d guess they are viable for anything built since the 1930s with cavity walls.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
I’m sorry but that’s simply not possible because we were told several times by PB Righties that heat pumps can never work in climes like the UK’s.
Most homes in Sweden too, but what do they know of cold weather?
A lot, so they are better insulated.
Which brings us back to the original point, that insulation is a great investment, boiler or no boiler.
Retrofitting anything in isolation can cause problems. If you have better insulation you need to worry about having adequate ventilation.
Which is why you should use competent tradesmen. Even lagging and boarding a loft - needs to be done right. And wear a mask, FFS!
Another huge takedown of wokeism in the US, a federal judge has ruled that Biden didn't have authority to expand Title IX protections because it was originally enacted by Congress so only Congress can amend/expand it. Woke politics really is in absolute ruin in the US, by the end of 2025 I think this will have expanded to the UK too. Social media is swinging to away from it rapidly and that will tell sooner rather than later. The "it's called being polite" defence is already failing among people I know.
...which reminds me. You know you plan to move back to Switzerland? It introduced self-id on Jan 1 2022.
(hides under table)
Yes - but that's just them trying to identify as interesting.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
At the moment around half would imo be suitable for an ASHP on a thermal efficiency basis, which as a ballpark I am taking as a C level EPC or better - but I think many Ds would be quite suitable with minimal change. And IMO most of the others can be upgraded very straightforwardly.
I have renovated properties dating from approximately 1850 to 1975, but TBF they have not generally been Political Betting Plutocrat Pads.
For non standards, there are other formats of air pump (eg ASHP gubbins in the toom, a single hole in the wall, A2A).
It's quite doable for a large majority of properties, but a standard ASHP may not always be the answer.
This is the history of EPC improvement up to 2022. It's a significantly lagging indicator because they only usually get done if a house is sold or rented out.
If we do hit brownouts then it's going to cause a further loss of confidence in UK plc which, you've guessed it will push gilts up again...
I'm not sure the UK can take another 4 years of this.
Yes, this week has been particularly bruising for the UK. We're adrift economically, there's a domestic political crisis that the PM has failed to tackle and will be dragged into kicking and screaming now that he's got dissent from within Labour itself and there's no end in sight.
I've said this before, I'm shocked as to how little homework Labour did in the run up to the election. They really seem to have thought that by not being the Tories they could magic up £150bn in additional corporate investment to fire up the economy. I really don't think they realised that raising taxes on businesses would tank economic growth because their utterances about going for growth but then also putting up NI by such a huge amount is diametrically opposed. It is the single most destructive tax on jobs and investment as companies claw back additional costs.
Add in to the equation Trump winning the POTUS and about to take office on a hugely inflationary budget, we have the perfect storm and an event on the 20th January with enormous worldwide implications
Reforms ascent may well continue, but also the trend across the west is towards right wing governments with only Starmer trying to stem the tide like Canute
I expect depressing times ahead for Labour and their supporters
Here's the thing though.
The rise of Reform may be bad for Labour. I certainly think it's bad for the country.
But it's a matter of life and death for the Conservatives. And at the moment, Conservatives don't seem to realise that following the talking points of the new right bubble (I hope that's neutral enough, it's not just That Thing) strengthens Reform at the Conservatives' expense.
The basic problem for the Tories is that their leader does not look "prime ministerial". Neither does Farage but that's not really such a problem for Reform. The Tory MPs mightily screwed up when they managed to exclude Cleverly. Kemi is William Hague mk 2 - very able, but simply not the right person for the times.
Would Cleverly be doing much better? He might have won a few more over from Labour but given Labour are already down to below 30% they have little further to be squeezed. Cleverly wouldn't have won over Reform voters anymore than Kemi is either.
Hague too did about as well as any Tory leader would have post 1997 as well, Clarke might have done a bit better but would still have lost heavily to Blair in 2001 and leaked more Tories to UKIP than Hague did
UKIP were miniscule in 2001. Did they even retain a deposit?
They got 1.5% but would have been significantly higher had Ken Clarke been Tory leader and not been campaigning to 'Save the Pound' like Hague
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Heat pumps are a steadily improving technology. A high temp heat pump could probably already replace your boiler, without doing anything to the house insulation. It would almost certainly be more far efficient that a conventional electric boiler.
Soju is around 18-20% which is usually mixed with a very bland beer like Hite or Kass which is around 4%. If you mix it 50/50 it gives you a drink of around 11% which is usually drunk in relatively small quantities say 100ml. i usually saw it drunk as a soju bomb of say 50ml in a small beer 250ml - which gives you a strengthened beer of around 6-7%. Gets you rocking but not excessively so...
But Soju on it own is dangerous - very deceptive and catches up with you very quickly
Worst hangover I’ve had in many years was after a night on the Soju in Busan, last October. Sweet bleeding Jesus and all the bandages 🤕🤒
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Heat pumps are a steadily improving technology. A high temp heat pump could probably already replace your boiler, without doing anything to the house insulation. It would almost certainly be more far efficient that a conventional electric boiler.
That's fair, we had the quote done when we moved in almost 4 years ago. The other factor was when he mentioned that we'd need to get used to the idea of warm showers rather than hot showers which was a deal breaker for both of us. One hopes that these limitations have been overcome.
If we do hit brownouts then it's going to cause a further loss of confidence in UK plc which, you've guessed it will push gilts up again...
I'm not sure the UK can take another 4 years of this.
Yes, this week has been particularly bruising for the UK. We're adrift economically, there's a domestic political crisis that the PM has failed to tackle and will be dragged into kicking and screaming now that he's got dissent from within Labour itself and there's no end in sight.
I've said this before, I'm shocked as to how little homework Labour did in the run up to the election. They really seem to have thought that by not being the Tories they could magic up £150bn in additional corporate investment to fire up the economy. I really don't think they realised that raising taxes on businesses would tank economic growth because their utterances about going for growth but then also putting up NI by such a huge amount is diametrically opposed. It is the single most destructive tax on jobs and investment as companies claw back additional costs.
Add in to the equation Trump winning the POTUS and about to take office on a hugely inflationary budget, we have the perfect storm and an event on the 20th January with enormous worldwide implications
Reforms ascent may well continue, but also the trend across the west is towards right wing governments with only Starmer trying to stem the tide like Canute
I expect depressing times ahead for Labour and their supporters
Here's the thing though.
The rise of Reform may be bad for Labour. I certainly think it's bad for the country.
But it's a matter of life and death for the Conservatives. And at the moment, Conservatives don't seem to realise that following the talking points of the new right bubble (I hope that's neutral enough, it's not just That Thing) strengthens Reform at the Conservatives' expense.
The basic problem for the Tories is that their leader does not look "prime ministerial". Neither does Farage but that's not really such a problem for Reform. The Tory MPs mightily screwed up when they managed to exclude Cleverly. Kemi is William Hague mk 2 - very able, but simply not the right person for the times.
Would Cleverly be doing much better? He might have won a few more over from Labour but given Labour are already down to below 30% they have little further to be squeezed. Cleverly wouldn't have won over Reform voters anymore than Kemi is either.
Hague too did about as well as any Tory leader would have post 1997 as well, Clarke might have done a bit better but would still have lost heavily to Blair in 2001 and leaked more Tories to UKIP than Hague did
Kemi is fine and she only has to worry if her party or membership turn against her, and the last membership survey had her topping the poll
At least give her a chance. I'm no tory but talk of ditching already is just another example of how tik-tok time has taken the minds of many.
If we do hit brownouts then it's going to cause a further loss of confidence in UK plc which, you've guessed it will push gilts up again...
I'm not sure the UK can take another 4 years of this.
So today’s electricity grid capacity is the responsibility of a. The party that’s been I government since July, or b. The party that’s been in government since 2010?
Feel free to blame Clegg for going cold on nuclear in the coalition (but equally praise Davey for the huge amount of wind capacity brought on stream), but blaming anyone in Labour for this sort of thing is a little daft.
Whatever your views on Net Zero, surely it's abundantly clear that wind is causing problems not solving them. I'm all for clean power, but not stupid power.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
Don’t let facts get in the way of a good “Labour are just as shit as us” gloat
Labour would need a huge upgrade to be 'just as shit' as the last Government.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
At the moment around half would imo be suitable for an ASHP on a thermal efficiency basis, which as a ballpark I am taking as a C level EPC or better - but I think many Ds would be quite suitable with minimal change. And IMO most of the others can be upgraded very straightforwardly.
I have renovated properties dating from approximately 1850 to 1975, but TBF they have not generally been Political Betting Plutocrat Pads.
For non standards, there are other formats of air pump (eg ASHP gubbins in the toom, a single hole in the wall, A2A).
It's quite doable for a large majority of properties, but a standard ASHP may not always be the answer.
This is the history of EPC improvement up to 2022. It's a significantly lagging indicator because they only usually get done if a house is sold or rented out.
I understand heat pumps are to be mandated in all new build from this year, but with the lifting of the ban on gas boilers which was due in 2035, I expect most ordinary home owners will replace their gas boilers for years to come but I assume a time will come in the late 30s early 40s that heat pumps will be the best choice, but subsides need to go apart from where there isn't a choice of gas
If we do hit brownouts then it's going to cause a further loss of confidence in UK plc which, you've guessed it will push gilts up again...
I'm not sure the UK can take another 4 years of this.
So today’s electricity grid capacity is the responsibility of a. The party that’s been I government since July, or b. The party that’s been in government since 2010?
Feel free to blame Clegg for going cold on nuclear in the coalition (but equally praise Davey for the huge amount of wind capacity brought on stream), but blaming anyone in Labour for this sort of thing is a little daft.
Whatever your views on Net Zero, surely it's abundantly clear that wind is causing problems not solving them. I'm all for clean power, but not stupid power.
Wind is currently producing 29% of our power supply. That's solving a problem, not causing one.
With wind scaled up, that could quite plausibly be over 100% in a few years time, with excess power going to batteries to charge our EVs or other battery usage.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
At the moment around half would imo be suitable for an ASHP on a thermal efficiency basis, which as a ballpark I am taking as a C level EPC or better - but I think many Ds would be quite suitable with minimal change. And IMO most of the others can be upgraded very straightforwardly.
I have renovated properties dating from approximately 1850 to 1975, but TBF they have not generally been Political Betting Plutocrat Pads.
For non standards, there are other formats of air pump (eg ASHP gubbins in the toom, a single hole in the wall, A2A).
It's quite doable for a large majority of properties, but a standard ASHP may not always be the answer.
This is the history of EPC improvement up to 2022. It's a significantly lagging indicator because they only usually get done if a house is sold or rented out.
I understand heat pumps are to be mandated in all new build from this year, but with the lifting of the ban on gas boilers which was due in 2035, I expect most ordinary home owners will replace their gas boilers for years to come but I assume a time will come in the late 30s early 40s that heat pumps will be the best choice, but subsides need to go apart from where there isn't a choice of gas
The ban had already been lifted by Sunak. Looking at it, they are making it easier for teh small minority of hard cases, whilst defanging the theological refuseniks.
There is still quite a sloped playing field in favour of replacement afaics. Plus there are other factors such as likely reduced market prices for houses with gas boilers - based on fashion and energy bills.
The normal boiler replacement cycle is something like 10-15 years, so making an assumption half will be replaced in 12-13 years everything else being equal.
So 50% in the next 6-7 years by the same assumption, or by ~2032. Or ~70% by 2035 approx.
The trend will be affected by grants, prices (new ones are more efficient), effect on sale or rental prices, and so on.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Heat pumps are a steadily improving technology. A high temp heat pump could probably already replace your boiler, without doing anything to the house insulation. It would almost certainly be more far efficient that a conventional electric boiler.
That's fair, we had the quote done when we moved in almost 4 years ago. The other factor was when he mentioned that we'd need to get used to the idea of warm showers rather than hot showers which was a deal breaker for both of us. One hopes that these limitations have been overcome.
They have - but the high temp Air to Water ASHPs are still pretty expensive. You're probably looking at £10k plus.
I'm pretty sure prices will continue to fall, though.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Any house built since 2010 (that’s 15 years now) can easily be heated with a heat pump. I know because I used to design domestic heating systems in a former life.
Yes well my house dates back to 1880 or something like that. 15 years worth of housing stock is practically nothing, ~2.5m out of ~32m total?
At the moment around half would imo be suitable for an ASHP on a thermal efficiency basis, which as a ballpark I am taking as a C level EPC or better - but I think many Ds would be quite suitable with minimal change. And IMO most of the others can be upgraded very straightforwardly.
I have renovated properties dating from approximately 1850 to 1975, but TBF they have not generally been Political Betting Plutocrat Pads.
For non standards, there are other formats of air pump (eg ASHP gubbins in the toom, a single hole in the wall, A2A).
It's quite doable for a large majority of properties, but a standard ASHP may not always be the answer.
This is the history of EPC improvement up to 2022. It's a significantly lagging indicator because they only usually get done if a house is sold or rented out.
I understand heat pumps are to be mandated in all new build from this year, but with the lifting of the ban on gas boilers which was due in 2035, I expect most ordinary home owners will replace their gas boilers for years to come but I assume a time will come in the late 30s early 40s that heat pumps will be the best choice, but subsides need to go apart from where there isn't a choice of gas
The ban had already been lifted by Sunak. Looking at it, they are making it easier for teh small minority of hard cases, whilst defanging the theological objectors.
There is still quite a sloped laying field in favour of replacement afaics.
The normal boiler replacement cycle is something like 10-15 years, so making an assumption half will be replaced in 12-13 years everything else being equal.
So 50% in the next 6-7 years by the same assumption, or by ~2032. Or ~70% by 2035 approx.
The trend will be affected by grants, prices (new ones are more efficient), effect on sale or rental prices, and so on.
You could buy a gas boiler in 2040 that could be working until 2055-60
I expect our new A rated gas combi boiler to last for the rest of our lifetime
Next time people discuss the grooming story I will have to issue bans, my requests asking you nicely to not discuss the story isn't working.
Just because somebody else discusses the story doesn't give you an excuse to discuss the story.
Can we discuss Andy Burnham's political aspirations in a neutral way, given that it might have betting implications?
Yes.
I don’t think Burnham is on manoeuvres.
From his history over Hillsborough, I think he sees a thorough and effective inquiry as getting answers and catharsis for the community/survivors.
and if Starmer gets toppled well that's just a happy outcome.
King of the North, King of the North, King of the North !
I like Andy Burnham and he has been fantastic for Greater Manchester
He would be a huge improvement on Starmer but I cannot see a pathway there anytime soon
I think he doesn’t want it.
He wasn’t a success at national level government. But has found his metier as Mayor. Seems to enjoy it, and has managed to actually get some stuff done.
He could easily stay in that post until retirement - it’s effectively a safe seat and he has built a personal vote as well.
I think his job as Manchester Mayor is to provide an example, mentor newer mayors, and embarrass those that are not getting anything done (initially, Liverpool).
If we do hit brownouts then it's going to cause a further loss of confidence in UK plc which, you've guessed it will push gilts up again...
I'm not sure the UK can take another 4 years of this.
So today’s electricity grid capacity is the responsibility of a. The party that’s been I government since July, or b. The party that’s been in government since 2010?
Feel free to blame Clegg for going cold on nuclear in the coalition (but equally praise Davey for the huge amount of wind capacity brought on stream), but blaming anyone in Labour for this sort of thing is a little daft.
Whatever your views on Net Zero, surely it's abundantly clear that wind is causing problems not solving them. I'm all for clean power, but not stupid power.
Wind is currently producing 29% of our power supply. That's solving a problem, not causing one.
With wind scaled up, that could quite plausibly be over 100% in a few years time, with excess power going to batteries to charge our EVs or other battery usage.
But then you have to demolish and rebuild them, from the ground up every thirty years.
At which time, the contracts get renegotiated. The government is not in a strong poition in those renegotations - as we have seen.
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
If we do hit brownouts then it's going to cause a further loss of confidence in UK plc which, you've guessed it will push gilts up again...
I'm not sure the UK can take another 4 years of this.
So today’s electricity grid capacity is the responsibility of a. The party that’s been I government since July, or b. The party that’s been in government since 2010?
Feel free to blame Clegg for going cold on nuclear in the coalition (but equally praise Davey for the huge amount of wind capacity brought on stream), but blaming anyone in Labour for this sort of thing is a little daft.
Whatever your views on Net Zero, surely it's abundantly clear that wind is causing problems not solving them. I'm all for clean power, but not stupid power.
Wind is currently producing 29% of our power supply. That's solving a problem, not causing one.
With wind scaled up, that could quite plausibly be over 100% in a few years time, with excess power going to batteries to charge our EVs or other battery usage.
It needs to scale up to more than 100% of current electrical supply, because we want to move transport and burning gas for heat into the zero carbon column as well. But it's striking how quickly it's moved from "unimaginable" to "stroke chin a bit, but probably broadly doable".
And if you have got energy that's genuinely too cheap to meter, even if it's intermittent, then various interesting things- like removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (perfectly doable, it just needs quite a lot of energy)- start to come into view.
The curious thing is the response we're seeing from our friends across the Atlantic. Now that renewable energy resources are super cheap, there are calls to restrict them by political fiat.
And, on the day of the good man's funeral, remember this:
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Which brings us back to insulation and double glazing. Our house is too leaky for one at the moment, but we are gradually addressing that.
The heat pump market is going to be disrupted soon too. Octopus are starting installations at much lower prices than hitherto. The up front cost is the biggest obstacle at the moment but that will change.
Don't forget the basics like an insulated loft hatch and fans with backdraft shutters, and really sweating the detail.
And ventilation is as important to manage your humidity once you lose your natural leaks. My poor man solution is a PIV loft fan, and one or two Heat Recovery Extractors at the ends of the downstairs.
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
Even if a crash is unavoidable it still makes sense to brake. The do nothing argument is just plain daft.
The curious thing is the response we're seeing from our friends across the Atlantic. Now that renewable energy resources are super cheap, there are calls to restrict them by political fiat.
"Ban that cheaper clean thing so that my rich donors can keep getting richer."
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
Even if a crash is unavoidable it still makes sense to brake. The do nothing argument is just plain daft.
Nut Zero is a total and complete waste of two trillion pounds or whatever the figure is which would be much better spent on rebuilding our armed forces and criminal justice system, filling our potholed roads and giving our over-taxed taxpayers and energy consumers a break.
You'd think we'd realise that having just about the world's most expensive energy is not exactly the way to improve the economy, but evidently it'll take a few more years of decline before the penny drops.
Next time people discuss the grooming story I will have to issue bans, my requests asking you nicely to not discuss the story isn't working.
Just because somebody else discusses the story doesn't give you an excuse to discuss the story.
Can we discuss Andy Burnham's political aspirations in a neutral way, given that it might have betting implications?
Yes.
I don’t think Burnham is on manoeuvres.
From his history over Hillsborough, I think he sees a thorough and effective inquiry as getting answers and catharsis for the community/survivors.
and if Starmer gets toppled well that's just a happy outcome.
King of the North, King of the North, King of the North !
I like Andy Burnham and he has been fantastic for Greater Manchester
He would be a huge improvement on Starmer but I cannot see a pathway there anytime soon
I think he doesn’t want it.
He wasn’t a success at national level government. But has found his metier as Mayor. Seems to enjoy it, and has managed to actually get some stuff done.
He could easily stay in that post until retirement - it’s effectively a safe seat and he has built a personal vote as well.
I think his job as Manchester Mayor is to provide an example, mentor newer mayors, and embarrass those that are not getting anything done (initially, Liverpool).
Roll on the CYCLOPS junctions !
Burnham has been very impressive (to me, an outsider) in his role. Seems to have just "got sh*t done". Made the occasional intervention on the national stage, but been quietly effective in the Manchester/NW region. I say 'quietly' in the sense of not making the regular London-focused news.
Nut Zero is a total and complete waste of two trillion pounds or whatever the figure is which would be much better spent on rebuilding our armed forces and criminal justice system, filling our potholed roads and giving our over-taxed taxpayers and energy consumers a break.
You'd think we'd realise that having just about the world's most expensive energy is not exactly the way to improve the economy, but evidently it'll take a few more years of decline before the penny drops.
The crazy bit is that an 80% reduction is easy, particularly in electricity generation. And once we've done that, technology will have moved on, and it might turn out the next 80% is now easy too.
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
Even if a crash is unavoidable it still makes sense to brake. The do nothing argument is just plain daft.
We are not in the driving seat. China is.
China for all its faults is spending a colossal amount on EVs, batteries, grid storage, wind energy, solar, hydroelectric, and nuclear. America under Trump and the MAGA/GOP is going to tighten the noose around its own neck.
House here in the Lakes (snow outside and -3) has a heat pump, oodles of insulation, efficient glazing, UFH and solar panels, with more to come + battery. There is no gas here.
Works v well and our baths and showers are hot. But the house was effectively rebuilt from scratch. Retrofitting on existing houses without other changes is a very different exercise.
Mind you, we are both old-fashioned enough to wear vests, snoods and wrist warmers in cold weather, as well.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Heat pumps are a steadily improving technology. A high temp heat pump could probably already replace your boiler, without doing anything to the house insulation. It would almost certainly be more far efficient that a conventional electric boiler.
That's fair, we had the quote done when we moved in almost 4 years ago. The other factor was when he mentioned that we'd need to get used to the idea of warm showers rather than hot showers which was a deal breaker for both of us. One hopes that these limitations have been overcome.
Modern high temperature heat pumps can get water to 70+ degrees centigrade when it's 0 degrees outside. Which is quite insane, when you think about it. (It's also massively better than a couple of years ago, when the maximum delta was only about 45 degrees.)
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
Even if a crash is unavoidable it still makes sense to brake. The do nothing argument is just plain daft.
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
Even if a crash is unavoidable it still makes sense to brake. The do nothing argument is just plain daft.
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Irrespective of government action, carbon emissions will fall because solar is becoming by far the cheapest way of generating electricity.
Nut Zero is a total and complete waste of two trillion pounds or whatever the figure is which would be much better spent on rebuilding our armed forces and criminal justice system, filling our potholed roads and giving our over-taxed taxpayers and energy consumers a break.
You'd think we'd realise that having just about the world's most expensive energy is not exactly the way to improve the economy, but evidently it'll take a few more years of decline before the penny drops.
The crazy bit is that an 80% reduction is easy, particularly in electricity generation. And once we've done that, technology will have moved on, and it might turn out the next 80% is now easy too.
The net zero aim is fine - but government should be doing that cost/benefit analysis to pick all of the lowest hanging fruit first, and quickest. Along with the essential stuff like grid capacity.
An arbitrary deadline doesn't help that - though without deadlines inertia tends to set in.
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
Even if a crash is unavoidable it still makes sense to brake. The do nothing argument is just plain daft.
The people who think climate change isn't real, and some sort of communist plot to trick the west into wasting vast sums of money, are unaware that China is spending vast sums of money because they know damn well that climate change is real, and will be a huge problem for a large and populous country.
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
Even if a crash is unavoidable it still makes sense to brake. The do nothing argument is just plain daft.
We are not in the driving seat. China is.
China for all its faults is spending a colossal amount on EVs, batteries, grid storage, wind energy, solar, hydroelectric, and nuclear. America under Trump and the MAGA/GOP is going to tighten the noose around its own neck.
Bush 2 completely surrendered the chance of the US dominating renewables manufacturing. Along with the Iraq disaster, he was a rubbish president.
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Irrespective of government action, carbon emissions will fall because solar is becoming by far the cheapest way of generating electricity.
Exactly, you have to be an actual idiot, or oil baron, to be anti-renewables now.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Heat pumps are a steadily improving technology. A high temp heat pump could probably already replace your boiler, without doing anything to the house insulation. It would almost certainly be more far efficient that a conventional electric boiler.
That's fair, we had the quote done when we moved in almost 4 years ago. The other factor was when he mentioned that we'd need to get used to the idea of warm showers rather than hot showers which was a deal breaker for both of us. One hopes that these limitations have been overcome.
Modern high temperature heat pumps can get water to 70+ degrees centigrade when it's 0 degrees outside. Which is quite insane, when you think about it. (It's also massively better than a couple of years ago, when the maximum delta was only about 45 degrees.)
Industrial ones can produce high pressure steam. It's a trade off between cost and capability, but development of a mass market in heat pumps will carry on improving the technology.
Ed Miliband remains the most dangerous man in the country.
How many billions are being paid to subsidise EVs, heat pumps, and insulation?
The rush to 2030 is unsustainable and extending the transition period is inevitable
All three reduce total energy usage. You can quibble with EVs and heat pumps on the basis the grid isn’t ready. Though oddly enough those who say the grid isn’t ready also seem to say we should stop investing in new renewable generation. Which would make it even less ready.
But insulation? It reduces waste. It reduces all domestic energy usage, whether electric or gas. There is no universe where more insulation isn’t a good thing.
I would argue that like the WFP many of these subsidies are going to the well off who can afford to pay for them, so maybe all these subsidies should be means tested
The vast majority of EVs and heat pumps are outside most people budgets, so frankly it is a bung that we cannot afford
Same applies to insulation and solar panels
I have both, plus a new A rated gas boiler and I paid for all of them without any help from my fellow taxpayers
These are questions that should be asked
It's hard to argue too much with heat pumps: they're amazingly efficient systems compared to what they replaced. Our electricity bill dropped by more than a third when we got rid of our old air conditioning units and replaced them with heat pumps. That they also heat efficiently is just a bonus.
The problem in the UK is that existing housing stock is not suited for heat pumps at all. We had a quote for our place, we were quoted tens of thousands for all of the necessary changes to the property plus the heat pump itself. We both decided it wasn't worth the hassle and we'll just hold onto our gas boiler until it craps out then switch to a three phase electric boiler.
Heat pumps are a steadily improving technology. A high temp heat pump could probably already replace your boiler, without doing anything to the house insulation. It would almost certainly be more far efficient that a conventional electric boiler.
That's fair, we had the quote done when we moved in almost 4 years ago. The other factor was when he mentioned that we'd need to get used to the idea of warm showers rather than hot showers which was a deal breaker for both of us. One hopes that these limitations have been overcome.
Modern high temperature heat pumps can get water to 70+ degrees centigrade when it's 0 degrees outside. Which is quite insane, when you think about it. (It's also massively better than a couple of years ago, when the maximum delta was only about 45 degrees.)
Industrial ones can produce high pressure steam. It's a trade off between cost and capability, but development of a mass market in heat pumps will carry on improving the technology.
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
Even if a crash is unavoidable it still makes sense to brake. The do nothing argument is just plain daft.
The people who think climate change isn't real, and some sort of communist plot to trick the west into wasting vast sums of money, are unaware that China is spending vast sums of money because they know damn well that climate change is real, and will be a huge problem for a large and populous country.
But... The Telegraph told me it's all nonsense. And just because they're showing their stocking-tops to various oil-producing oligarchs doesn't entirely mean they've compromised their editorial line. Surely?
The unfilled space in British politics has long been for a party that is both socially conservative and economically populist (“fund the NHS and hang the paedos” as it is sometimes known). In recent weeks there have been signs that Reform is seeking to occupy this territory.
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
But we've already meaningfully reduced carbon emissions, compared with a counterfactual where the world was still primarily operating on coal. Even China is 29% renewable now - we're on 42%.
Wealth does not protect you from climate change is the message of the day.
Doubt Americans will listen though.
The only way we could meaningfully reduce carbon emissions enough to affect the climate in the next decade or so is nuclear war, otherwise they will continue to increase no matter what anybody in the west does.
Even if a crash is unavoidable it still makes sense to brake. The do nothing argument is just plain daft.
The people who think climate change isn't real, and some sort of communist plot to trick the west into wasting vast sums of money, are unaware that China is spending vast sums of money because they know damn well that climate change is real, and will be a huge problem for a large and populous country.
But... The Telegraph told me it's all nonsense. And just because they're showing their stocking-tops to various oil-producing oligarchs doesn't entirely mean they've compromised their editorial line. Surely?
I will die laughing if Vince Dale buys the Telegraph.
(He attempted to buy the Observer - so clearly in the market)
House here in the Lakes (snow outside and -3) has a heat pump, oodles of insulation, efficient glazing, UFH and solar panels, with more to come + battery. There is no gas here.
Works v well and our baths and showers are hot. But the house was effectively rebuilt from scratch. Retrofitting on existing houses without other changes is a very different exercise.
Mind you, we are both old-fashioned enough to wear vests, snoods and wrist warmers in cold weather, as well.
There have been some projects here trying to retrofit old Victorian tenements. Seems like it's going to be quite an undertaking.
Comments
The heat pump market is going to be disrupted soon too. Octopus are starting installations at much lower prices than hitherto. The up front cost is the biggest obstacle at the moment but that will change.
Having said that our French house has a heat pump (they’re much less novel and more normal there) and it was built in some vague time before 1700.
We do not have the money if we want our NHS, Education, and Law and order financed
1 - Ait to Air heat pumps are much more reasonably priced.
2 - ASHPs are ramping up gradually, and big grants are available. I can't comment on the numbers at present as I'm not over the detail. It has been the case that the Octopus option, used judicially, is not massively more than the grant. But in some places prices seemed to jump up by a number remarkably similar to the grant.
One of the things done under Sunak (may have been Boris) was to make at least one ECO4 grant available more generously to Owner Occupiers than to renters, in that it cut in for DEF EPC ratings, rather than EF for rentals. I know that because it meant I could not get one as my otherwise eligible property (tenant on LHA) is a D because I always improve them.
3 - @rcs1000 is this your London or USA property? The Usonians use pretty much 2-3 times as much energy than us for everything, so I would hope a comprehensive scheme would have potential to cut more than 1/3. But it's a great move that you have done.
I don't understand almost theological opposition to such. Lee Anderson on Drax Power Station not using coal is quite a good show.
Hague too did about as well as any Tory leader would have post 1997 as well, Clarke might have done a bit better but would still have lost heavily to Blair in 2001 and leaked more Tories to UKIP than Hague did
A state nudge to get over that mental barrier seems worth doing; future Britain will thank us overall, even if it means somewhat more tax.
I expect a bill reduction of 30-50% over what it was before for a traditional house whilst still using a gas boiler when renovating. Listing introduces complications, and it is the stuff to do first, as it is the base.
It really comes down to insulating and air-proofing and ventilating the envelope.
Plus, as I mentioned, A2A heat pumps have their uses.
It's flats like mine (Scottish tenement) that will cause the most bother. Some sort of heating system on the roof? EV charger off a lamppost?
On the other hand, the most remote parts of Scotland are leading the way - eg the Highlands, where 72% of households are off the gas grid and it's already 50:50 on electric heating v heating oil. There are loads of heat pumps when you start looking for them. And solar.
Anyway the government has scrapped the plan to ban gas boilers by 2035
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/06/uk-government-scraps-plan-to-ban-sale-of-gas-boilers-by-2035?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/usercode.py?scotcontrol=N&CON=26&LAB=26&LIB=12&Reform=22&Green=7&UKIP=&TVCON=&TVLAB=&TVLIB=&TVReform=&TVGreen=&TVUKIP=&SCOTCON=&SCOTLAB=&SCOTLIB=&SCOTReform=&SCOTGreen=&SCOTUKIP=&SCOTNAT=&display=AllChanged&regorseat=(none)&boundary=2024
'Labour are losing voters equally to left and right. Of those who voted Labour in 2024:
🔶7% have switched to the Liberal Democrats
➡️7% to Reform
🌳5% to Conservative
🌍4% to Green
🤷11% don’t know how they’d vote.'
https://x.com/LukeTryl/status/1877417657521029525
https://x.com/PolitlcsGlobal/status/1877146372316475521
The current ones are far better. Get an actual expert to design the system.
😀
I have renovated properties dating from approximately 1850 to 1975, but TBF they have not generally been Political Betting Plutocrat Pads.
For non standards, there are other formats of air pump (eg ASHP gubbins in the toom, a single hole in the wall, A2A).
It's quite doable for a large majority of properties, but a standard ASHP may not always be the answer.
This is the history of EPC improvement up to 2022. It's a significantly lagging indicator because they only usually get done if a house is sold or rented out.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9889/
A high temp heat pump could probably already replace your boiler, without doing anything to the house insulation. It would almost certainly be more far efficient that a conventional electric boiler.
Great night, tho
Doubt Americans will listen though.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_States_presidential_election_in_California
Clegg presumably has designer everything, these days.
With wind scaled up, that could quite plausibly be over 100% in a few years time, with excess power going to batteries to charge our EVs or other battery usage.
There is still quite a sloped playing field in favour of replacement afaics. Plus there are other factors such as likely reduced market prices for houses with gas boilers - based on fashion and energy bills.
The normal boiler replacement cycle is something like 10-15 years, so making an assumption half will be replaced in 12-13 years everything else being equal.
So 50% in the next 6-7 years by the same assumption, or by ~2032. Or ~70% by 2035 approx.
The trend will be affected by grants, prices (new ones are more efficient), effect on sale or rental prices, and so on.
You're probably looking at £10k plus.
I'm pretty sure prices will continue to fall, though.
I expect our new A rated gas combi boiler to last for the rest of our lifetime
Roll on the CYCLOPS junctions !
At which time, the contracts get renegotiated. The government is not in a strong poition in those renegotations - as we have seen.
And if you have got energy that's genuinely too cheap to meter, even if it's intermittent, then various interesting things- like removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (perfectly doable, it just needs quite a lot of energy)- start to come into view.
The curious thing is the response we're seeing from our friends across the Atlantic. Now that renewable energy resources are super cheap, there are calls to restrict them by political fiat.
And, on the day of the good man's funeral, remember this:
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/02/the-forgotten-story-of-jimmy-carters-white-house-solar-panels/
And ventilation is as important to manage your humidity once you lose your natural leaks. My poor man solution is a PIV loft fan, and one or two Heat Recovery Extractors at the ends of the downstairs.
I though Octopus had had their scheme up and running for some time
https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/topic/40977-octopus-did-i-imagine-this/
It's nuts.
"Man told he can't recover £598m of Bitcoin from tip"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0r0dvgpy0o
You'd think we'd realise that having just about the world's most expensive energy is not exactly the way to improve the economy, but evidently it'll take a few more years of decline before the penny drops.
Works v well and our baths and showers are hot. But the house was effectively rebuilt from scratch. Retrofitting on existing houses without other changes is a very different exercise.
Mind you, we are both old-fashioned enough to wear vests, snoods and wrist warmers in cold weather, as well.
Barack Obama
@BarackObama
·
36m
A record 23.5 million Americans have signed up for health care through the Affordable Care Act.
If you haven't already, go to http://HealthCare.gov to sign up by January 15.
Irrespective of government action, carbon emissions will fall because solar is becoming by far the cheapest way of generating electricity.
An arbitrary deadline doesn't help that - though without deadlines inertia tends to set in.
Along with the Iraq disaster, he was a rubbish president.
Trump will probably be worse.
"Oklahoma sets in motion legislation to ban renewable energy".
https://heatmap.news/plus/the-fight/spotlight/renewable-energy-ban-oklahoma
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2025/01/why-farage-is-turning-left
(He attempted to buy the Observer - so clearly in the market)
For example :
https://housingevidence.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Niddrie-Road-v4.pdf
Politics UK
@PolitlcsUK
🚨🇫🇷 NEW: Keir Starmer has released a video of him showing French President Emmanuel Macron around Chequers
https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/1877495206699733360