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Well, it was bound to happen!
Since the shock of the Russian invasion of Ukraine I've been thinking of ways to reduce the use of gas, as a sign of protest.
In February we (my wife and I) curtailed our gas usage quite a lot, and it felt good too, at least we made a token gesture.
However, I knew that this protest about an unjust war was not the only problem right now. The big (est) picture is the Climate Crisis. The chaos in our country seems to be omnipresent, and it’s also a cost-of-living crisis, housing crisis, inflation crisis, rising civil unrest, strikes, food shortages and inequality. So, why do something about climate change now? It’s something that in most people’s minds isn’t as immediate as all the other stuff!
I am tired of doom scrolling – I want to do something.
Sometimes, this makes me feel like Mr Angry. Some people are annoying me – in particular consumers and corporations who have no intention of curbing consumerism or slowing down the death march to biodiversity extinction and couldn’t give a fig about uncontrolled climate chaos.
In some ways it doesn't really matter to me. Being well into my 50s I may never really see the worst effects. Someone else can deal with it. But, who? The government? (Not this flavour of government for sure). My employer? (That’s me). My neighbours? No… Anyone else then?? Nope – it really is about taking ownership and stepping up.
Am I happy that my children and potentially your children have to suffer search terrible harm? Especially when I could actually have done something? No, definitely not. Am I happy that we have terribly grinding poverty in the UK and millions of people have to choose between, eating/heating and taking care of the everyday stuff? No, and, as the saying goes… enough is enough.
I genuinely believe that we are on a path to untold damage and hurt if we don't ALL act now.
Ultimately, it's a belief system, like all things. I also have realised that just talking about it, (and only to your own tribe) isn’t going to help the situation.
What do we do about climate? And, is there a just and equitable road map to net zero and keeping 1.5 alive? These are questions that keep me awake at night.
If the fate of the Earth is that climate change is set by inaction to reach over 2 1/2 degrees warming by 2050, then the realisation that we are in for a rough ride needs to kick in about now. To the deniers and ignorant opportunists who claimed that net zero is a distraction, and we can't do without gas - my answer is: good luck to you, and I hope your world works out for you and yours.
So, after my rant, what am I actually doing about it?
Here was the plan in 2022.
- REDUCE ENERGY DEMAND
- REPLACE ALL GAS USAGE WITH ELECTRIC
- SHIFT BIG EMITTER /DEMAND TO CHEAPER GREENER RATES AT NIGHT
My total 2022 = 400kw/h month (BASELINE) – carbon was 1t (inc. charging EV).
During 2022 (March >December) – I reduced my overall energy demand by 20%, and gas by 80%!
In 2023 I will be using no gas in any practical way (and didn’t need a heat pump). After getting a smart meter (after 3 years of waiting, which is another story) I was able to change my tariff to a smart Agile (DSR – PLUNGE PRICING).
As result of the smart tariff, I have programmed all my energy devices to be using the cheapest and greenest form of energy, e.g., my HOT WATER is now run by a clever controller on the immersion heater.
During the day I use a back-up battery device which is charged with the plunge pricing. This will run all of my work devices during the day for virtually free (cost and carbon).
My predicted total energy from Feb 2023 will be 120-150 kw/h month, of which 100kw is low-cost electric - and no gas will be used. The carbon use will be 0.25t (Octopus figures) and all of it is offset.
| 2022 - CARL’S GREENER, CLEANER, LEANER PLAN | ||
| WHAT (Item) | WHY (Purpose) | HOW MUCH (cost) |
| Ninja | Cooking, low energy and no gas | £230 |
| Hob | Cooking, low energy and no gas | £100 |
| Thermal cooker | No energy for stews etc. | £30 |
| Immersion controller | Hot water generation to low tariff | £80 |
| Energy plugs /Sensors/kill switch | Controls and schedules to low tariff | £150 |
| Battery storage | All home office run off BATTERY low tariff | £518 (£470) |
| Electric heaters | Space heating to WHOLE HOUSE | £100 |
| Intelligent air flow and draft proof glazing | Draught sealing/insulation/ventilation improvements (energy efficiency with internal air quality) | £440 |
| Investment | Total investment in 2022 | £1500 |
| Utility bill savings | Energy bill reduction (over BAU) | £1500 |
| TOTAL COST | -£00 | |
| TOTAL payback | 12 months |
So, in summary during one (difficult) year
- I invested in getting off gas, saving money on bills and reducing my carbon footprint by nearly 1 ton.
- Total carbon saved = 1-0.75t?
- Payback 1 year
- On-going savings circa £1500 a year.
- All of this I financed over 1 year by cash 0 % free PayPal, equivalent to £125 (in effect, by offsetting the bills).
As you can see, I am not feeling quite so Angry now.
Carl Dodd, Property Revolutions Ltd.
