Coed-Y-Llwyn Caravan Club Site - Electricity
Comments
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In fact when touring in France for all those years, I regularly didn't bother to connect the orange umbilical cable, or on any occasion when I did, it was to a 6 AMP max supply. Never ever had a problem.
Bully for you K. Running solely on gas. And this was at temperatures of 2 or 3C, was it, having paid the (then) equivalent of £4 or £5 for electric? Very stoic fella.
Tell that to young people these days and they just don't believe you
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Comes back to the club needing a new pricing structure. Pay for your pitch and van. Extras then if required for Awnings, heating etc. Everyone then gets a fair deal on exactly what you want and use. No change will lead to a similar response as here. Those who are frugal feel cheated, those who say " we paid for the electricity" will use as much as they can.
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This seems to have drifted away from the original post. I was thinking about booking Coed-Y-Llwyn. I am now worried. What are the chances of there being a power cut?
The reason I ask. Is, that the sight and sound of everyone running around like headless chickens because the lecky has gone off for 10 minutes, is about as much fun you can have on a caravan site with your clothes on. Imho, well worth the price of admission.
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You just grab every amp you can ET. You've paid for it so you've got to use it.
When the CMC start to meter electricity usage, you might feel differently.
Those of us who are modest in our mains electric usage now, won't notice much difference. Most Rallies and basic CL's in fantastic locations in the UK used to be without Electricity, we didn't have a problem staying on those for weeks on end. .
K
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so the club is going to install meters, where is the money going to come from? Let's see, over 200+ sites, an average of 100 pitches per site, too high maybe? that's 20,000 pitches, How much are meters? £5 maybe? that's £100,000, how much to install them? £5, so we're up to £200,000, then the system for collecting money? But the club could get this money back by... mmm... can't charge extra for the electricity, wouldn't save any money by having meters even if it's a lower bill... Well the club could just take it of of reserves or money for extra sites or refurbishments, or put the membership fee up.
Actually I believe that the club makes money at present as someone suggested as they 'hide' the bill in the inclusive prices, which is fine by me, I expect the club to make a profit
And of course non of the newer sites have had meters have they?
But lets get this into perspective as well before some jump on the bandwaggon, three sites have reported power cuts, 200+ sites haven’t, are there power hungry campers at these three sites but not the rest?
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"My candle burns at both ends;It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—It gives a lovely light!"
Profligacy of consumption, whether metered or not, is a short-sighted view.
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capital investment doesn't have to be made in one go....some vanners don't spend reserves but buy their caravans over a period of time, rating the 'expense' of their repayments against the benefits they perceive...
if the desire was there with CC, the moving over to a metering system (or other process for overall power reduction) would just become part of any other site improvements, just like loo refurbishments or service pitch/HS provision....
ISTM that there is plenty of 'fat' in pitch prices (and plenty of profit currently being made) to allow some of this to filter back into a Program to include a change in power delivery...and of usage 'approach'.
whilst we only have comments regarding three sites, we don't know how many have had issues (now or in the past) or are running close to capacity....issues which might even prevent further 'expansion' without something being done.
as stated earlier, perhaps the answer is not to continually try and increase supply (which in itself will require significant investment which needs to be taken into account) but to encourage a reduction in demand, thus giving some leeway in expansion plans and providing a true choice for customers where they only pay for what they use....
currently, there is no 'carrot' to reduce demand, the 'one price' format means even those who are happy to be on non EHU sites will plug in, after all 'they've paid for it, so they'll use it'....
if there were other options, we might get to position of 'they've used it, so they'll pay for it'.....or not....which places a whole different emphasis on usage patterns...
..but putting aside all the previous discussion....I'm not a 'green' by any stretch of the imagination, but isn't it a good thing to be using less overall electric on a site?...or do we keep ramping up ad infinitum?
after all, we've paid for it...and rest assured, we probably will....
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indeed M indeed, some love the bandwaggon
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..but putting aside all the previous discussion....I'm not a 'green' by any stretch of the imagination, but isn't it a good thing to be using less overall electric on a site?...or do we keep ramping up ad infinitum?
Summer electricity use is in fact likely to increase. The CAMC says it is OK to charge electric cars. Probably a drop in the ocean at present but that will change.
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Excellent post BB. Great insight into the whole issue of the " I've paid for it so I'll use every bit of it" syndrome, so much followed by many on this thread.
Your post is balanced, well thought out and a credit to those who enjoy using their motorhome or caravan to it's full potential.
Well done.
K
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well thank you, K
i don't mind getting on a bandwagon (by the way, neither of the teachers could spell it correctly....
) but I want it to be a long term sustainable one...0 -
...won't folk also use their electric cars in winter, Steve....?
perhaps another reason to, at least, be prepared for when this becomes of more significant impact on supply.
a change like this was unforseen few years back and ensuring supply is sustainable moving forward might require more than a finger in the air and a crystal ball....incentives to customers to help reduce demand has to be a move in the right direction, doesn't it?
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we've seen that sort of thing, DD....fairly simple devices..
the other thing we've come across is that, where choice of power delivery pricing is offered, the site works out your bill, inclusive supply v metered cost, and then charges you the lesser of the two prices
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i would have thought that if the 'club' was looking at metering electricity , then surely they would have done so at new sites and areas of sites that have been redeveloped (eg..Bridlington, Seacroft etc).
I am also very surprised at the lack of take up regarding 'renewable energy' by the club.
Those members who travel extensively abroad will no doubt have come across the many and varied electric bollards....most have smart cards, some have an 'allowance, with extra to be paid on departure....one interesting method I experienced last year at a site was the option to have 6, 10 or 16 amp fuse fitted at bollard + smart card.
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They will of course use them in winter BB. However, I think the impact of increased consumption will be more heavily felt when the use of other power hungry items, such as heating, is minimal. In the winter folk are probably going to have to turn things down, if they want to charge the car, so overall consumption will remain the same.
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Well, to be accurate, BB, it's only one of the teachers! I just quoted Corner's post and I subscribe to the widely held view that commenting sarcastically or correcting spelling mistakes is poor forum etiquette!
And I don't believe it was you that was being referred to was it? You and PD at least have been consistent in expressing your views. Some seem to have come to it slightly later as a kind of fashion statement!
Anyway, back to the OP - would anyone care to explain exactly what this expression "excessive usage" means? The events described at 3 sites occurred on an unusually cold Bank Holiday weekend at an unusually fully occupied sites. Unsatisfactory, I agree, and frustrating for those affected. But in normal circumstances I don't think we ever hear of this happening do we? I consider that we're pretty economical in our usage, some may use more and I may be subsidising them. Does it bother me really? Not one bit.
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TBH, I don't think the club are looking at metering, it's not part of their current ethos....but there's nothing wrong with giving them a nudge now and again....
i agree it would be nice to see a few solar panels on roofs, or a firm statement made that they are using renewable supplies...I've visited Haven sites with fully solar supported shower blocks...nice to see..
re: the continental sites, we've been offered (and made use of) just about all the options you've mentioned....gives the customers the service level they requirement at the appropriate price, and provides some incentive to keep the overall demand down.
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sorry, M, you're right, 'twas only CS.....but don't you 'check' your quoted text...?
however, I'll let you off as the sun is out....and I'm off there, too
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I would be very careful what you wish for, with regard to metering. How often have you seen these sort of exercises save you money. Or even result in a break even. Yes initially the sites might be £5 cheaper in summer and £2 in summer, but how long before that is eroded and we end up back or above the old figures. I am sure it will not have any relation to inflation. So then not only will you be paying £31 (or so for two) a night over Christmas, or a cold Easter. You will also be paying for electricity on top. If our Alde heating was on just 50% of the time, which is probably conservative if cold, it would cost £3 at 13p a KW. So now a minimum of £34 a night and as I've not included the fridge, TV, battery charger, kettle and toaster, probably much more.
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The events described at 3 sites occurred on an unusually cold Bank Holiday weekend at an unusually fully occupied sites. . . . . . . But in normal circumstances I don't think we ever hear of this happening do we?
Yes we do. See the thread about Burrs Country Park. That was a half full site and not particularly cold - just damp.
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I usually avoid contribution to these long discussions.
Glad to see that it is coming around to a consensus that it's a combination of circumstances.
Blame the weather- anyone remember ' Camp Granada' by Allan Sherman...... then the sun came out and it was all forgotten.
Unseasonally cold weather at peak holiday time at a few sites.
Its the way we live now and camp ( in luxury now) , all the comforts of home.
At home most of you use gas for heating and therefore balance power consumption between gas/electric......
Whilst on site with modern units with ever increasing electronic components and a 'home comforts' paid for electric hook up mentality- it's perhaps inevitable that there will occasionally be spikes in usage.....so why not a balanced approach.
I don't often use a club site, expensive for what I need, having worked my way through from tent,trailer tent,caravan,camper van to motorhome (5.4 m long) and never traveled with a TV
Me personably am not 'green' but mean.
I live in an 'Eco' house constantly at 20.5 C which is all electric (inc economy 7) and my annual fuel cost is £55 and also harvest rainwater.
I think many of you could do a bit more and if you don't ??
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really don't get this I've paid for it so I'll use it at all, is gas free? don't you pay for it and then use it as you see fit to enjoy your outfit, or so those with gas then think to restrict it's use, or to turn the heating right down? or do you simply do exactly what those on EHU do?
Also gas is finite too isn't it? Made from petrol?
Do you think by using gas you are not using electricity? How much electricity is used in making Butane or propane? You're simply using up electricity earlier than on site. and from what I've seen LPG is more expensive to buy than any other form?
Sorry about the spelling
(always easier to play the man not the ball isn't it, but if that's all you have got...) maybe I should have used soapbox?0
