Silly site prices. Off season and peak season
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You are probably nearer the mark YT, I had forgotten I had 6 days on hook up as well as 7 off after I refilled. The next refill I had last Friday was with 18.62lts. I cook and heat hot water with gas when on EHU (electric heating currently not working), therefore if I ignore the fridge being on electric for those 6 days it works out at 1.4 litres per day. So for me it is more likely closer to 2 litres per day in the summer but I still think it is about even in the winter based on 8 to 10 litres per day.
peedee
PS it is not recommended you heat hot water under 55 degrees due to the likelyhood of introducing legionella into the system.
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I suppose there has to be a tipping point somewhere when the Club has to either accept that site prices will continue to spiral upwards because of the cost of energy and start to really put people off, or introducing metering, where members can decide for themselves how much they spend on energy. I think I would be surprised if they introduced non EHU as an option, where EHU already exists, because it would have to be policed? The Club were asked at the last AGM about metering and they sat on the fence a bit but clearly they have not ruled it out, might be interesting to know if their view has changed in the last 12 months?
David
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They definitely didn’t rule metering out and I’m sure I’ve seen something since this Q&A that suggested they are moving towards metering.
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DK, If Club members are so dishonest that they would use a hook up when they haven’t paid for it then the warden would have to open the bollard and take out the fuse or circuit breaker. No more policing needed. But elsewhere I was always asked whether I wanted to use the hook up beside the pitch - and trusted.
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Our van pre-dates the standard fitting of solar panels, but now thinking we should look at getting a decent one fitted, we have available payload.
Prices are rising all round, having gone from Club sites to CLs, now even some of them are asking £25+ with EHU , and most at least £20, so time to consider off grid.
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I hope they bring it in asap so at least the inclusive v metering threads can cease.
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😂😂😂
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This is (I estimate) now a £12M problem for the club.
Let me explain my assumptions, which I'm happy to be corrected on.
1) In 2020 (as per the CAMC accounts - see extract) the club consumed 30,567,242 kWh of Eelectricity
2) The current rate for buying electricity at a commercial rate is £0.52p per kWh - the club might have negotiated a marginally better rate than .52p on some contracts, but they will all eventually head this way.
3) Assuming that 80% of electricity used by the club is used by members on pitches (the remainder in communal facilities, signage,HQ, Datacenters etc.). Usage might have increased since 2020
80% of 30,567,242 kWh is 24,453,793 kWh
24,453,793 kWh x £0.52p/kWh is £12,715,972
For a company with a turnover in the region of £80M, that's a big proportion of costs.
So what's the solution?
The electric car-charging industry already has the solution. In my view, their process simply needs to be adapted to Caravan Bollards. Just like a car-charger - something along the lines of :-
1) Set up the App on your phone and create an account connected to your credit card
2) When you arrive at your EHU bollard, scan the QR code (or similar) & activate the EHU & plug your cable in.
3) When you depart, unplug from EHU and your App / Account will be charged for the kWh used.
In the background a management system for each site will be needed to track usage etc.
The technology definitely exists (I know having installed a commercial car-charger here on my CL).
Hopefully the CAMC and CCC and Hoseasons etc. are already in deep discussions with the relevant manufacturers and have the buying-power to get a solution. As the CAMC club sites are only a % of the EHU bollards in the country the opportunity for a manufacturer who can provide a solution is pretty compelling. I know hundreds of CL sites that would consider such a solution (at the right price).
I also believe that most members would be happy to be metered for the EHU used, especially if it enabled the club to keep pitch prices in check. Furthermore it would (I believe) drastically reduce the use of surplus gadgets and heaters on site, which would help the club pursue its green agenda.
Many would say this was long overdue!
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Ted
It makes a compelling argument to separate out the price of the pitch from the cost of electricity. If the price of electricity were to double from the figure you mention it would be accounting for over 25% of the Club's income. The system you outline would be an ideal way of paying for the electricity. There will be people who protest that they don't have a smartphone? Do they work via WiFi or Bluetooth?
It wasn't that long ago that we were debating Peedee's suggestion that we should have metering almost in an academic way but reality has caught up with us and it now seems the only way forward. There can be no doubt that commercial case for metering has changed drastically in the last 6 months and although it would be costly it does seem it is the (only) way forward?
David
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Obviously it will be the latter as the "club" will have to recoup the money it will have to spend to provide the facility. Their response then to complaints of even higher prices will to say "We have listened to what you say and have acted accordingly by installing meters". 😁
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I think it would be difficult for them not to if recent experience is anything to go by. Earlier in the year they increased prices to cover the extra cost of increased electricity charges. So whilst they might not reduce the site fee completely they would have to do something otherwise I would suggest there would be uproar?
David
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+1. The “club” management are not interested in what the members think.
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They have an "accept what we do or leave, as there are plenty who will still go whatever we charge, and p!enty are still joining us regardless" attitude.
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Just got back from a couple of days on an off-grid CL. £5 per night. By judicious use of off grid sites, interspersed with some 5* ACSI sites, I've averaged under £12.50 per night over 66 nights so far this year.
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Fully agree with the off-grid value and the way energy prices are going I can see club site prices getting a lot more expensive in the near future.
We're booked on an off-grid site next week. £50 for 7 nights!
The club virtually want that amount for 1 night.
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Weve used Cofton several times. I'll check the website to see the non electric 'base' price details..
It's relatively easy to "mix and match" with metered electric...connect to mains but turn off charger and let solar charge phones, tablets etc and run TVs, pumps.
Turn fridge to gas (along with any heating/hot water) and should the need be there for high powered electric items (hair dryers etc) those without big inverters can just run them from mains electric. Would still a useful saving, depending on base price and cost of electric saved.
cant see anything on their website, nor elsewhere on the net regarding metering.
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About 50 secs in.
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Duplicate post Deleted User.
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Sorry, yes I realised that but as I didn't see it, was curious to see if any of Cofton's web pages had any mention of it. This was what I couldn't find.
they still offer non EHU tent pitches but no further info.
thanks for your post.👍
PS...I wonder how Cofton will get the cost of meter installation back if they can't overcharge for leccy used (reselling)...surely, as many a CT member reminds us, prices must surely rise....which is the exact opposite of what the customer will be expecting by forgoing 'inclusive' electric.
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I posted the link because you couldn't find it "elsewhere on the net" and sounded like a Doubting Thomas. Happy to help👍
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In the interests of science I've checked the Cofton Web site and the details about the meters are on there, see super pitches etc. Payments can be taken in advance or pay as you go plus top ups. I would imagine the installation costs go against the business as expenditure etc. From that point onwards the costs will virtually self fund and hopefully reduce overall costs and reduce excessive energy use overall
TW's link has the programme details and general tourist industry survival plans.
I would think metering will now be a major consideration on many camp sites.
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Thanks Brue, the site has changed since yesterday...I made a dummy booking for this September and no info regarding the changes...it's tucked away in the more info section when describing pitch options.
thanks again.
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This from their web site:
From 2023 electricity on these pitches will be supplied by pre paid metres. Electricity can be purchased prior to your holiday start date at time of booking or pay as you go whilst you are on site via a website based top up system. You will also be able to purchase credit from reception at any time during you stay. Electricity charges will be advertised online when available and will reflect our costs to supply in accordance with OFGEM guidance.
Interesting that you can top up using a website based system. Anyone know more?
peedee
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