Club site energy cost hike.
AS an Engineer, Can I suggest, Given the investments that the club make on the sites and the expected hike in fuel cost, it is obvious now that the club should look at renewable energy for the future, Solar as well as ground. Given the areas and more so if there is a running stream or river that is close by and getting hydro energy. The initial cost would be high, but the returns would be beneficial on the hot water used and on eco LED lighting. The investment would then be securing a stable operational cost and with the benefits of lowering the carbon footprint. I believe there are many grants available for such businesses and I know the likes of Worcester Bosh or Vaillant or Vieessman may be interested in sponsorship. Let alone the TV media benefits if we were to get on the likes of Country file. I think this would be a perfect project and a good model to lead with. Making some calculations the returns could be within 5 years on an average if on oil or LPG if done with a upgrade of the toilet and shower block.
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I would think it would depend on where the site is situated ,if it is wholly owned by the club? (not many) and the rest how long the lease is left to run, and what restraints are imposed by the landlords and whether it would all be cost effective ,for the membership,when trying to recoup the high costs of some installations,even with grants and/or sponsorship
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Not to mention where the panels and turbines would be placed. We could reduce pitch numbers drastically to fit them in, I suppose. Maybe even do away with having LVs on site?
The club are taking such measures as they can on new and refurbished sites.
Media benefits? There often aren't enough pitches to meet demand now.
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Nooooooo! 😂
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Don't put wind turbines anywhere near a caravan site!
Stayed on such a site in Essex a while back and found the stroboscopic effect of the blades shadows whilst turning, in the sunshine, to be quite nauseous.
In addition, the noise of the sweeps as they rotated did not help when it came to sleeping.
The turbine was in the field next door.
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"Stayed on such a site in Essex a while back and found the stroboscopic effect of the blades shadows whilst turning, in the sunshine, to be quite nauseous."
I understand that effect can induce seizures in epileptics. 🙁
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Great idea Terry, I agree that the business should be looking into ways of sustainable energy, even if it's simply solar panels on the reception and shower block roof spaces.
They would have to look at the site lease etc but surely more can be done than is now??
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Whilst I agree that more use should be made of Solar panels on roof space of the buildings and even using Rainwater for use in toilet blocks I agree with Reface about turbines. Very noisy sometimes.
In addition I think we may have problems convincing the National Public that we are an Eco friendly bunch, what with our Diesel belching tuggers and Motorhomes, awning heaters and use of electricity to power most things on sites and in LVs.
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Yep, it’s the hypocrisy thing again.
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when a single solar panel on a MH roof can produce enough electricity to recharge batteries and electrical devices, run TVs, heating fan and water pump, surely the club should be doing a bit more with roof top solar as mentioned in some of the more positive responses.
perhaps if it makes a real difference to water/electric supply, for all of us, it won't seem quite so hypocritical......
surely, even a small step in the right direction is better than no step?
some seem to have real problem recognising that investments can be recouped over time and can lead to cost reduction rather than the view that every change mentioned will drive prices ever upwards....the club is already managing that on its own...
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I wonder if the Op has written to hotels and B&B... with the same questions or just uses them?
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just seen that using gas is a bad thing in green terms?
Climate change: Ban gas grid for new homes 'in six years'
So EHU all the way then?
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I’m at a loss to understand your logic in saying the club are taking on board what happens elsewhere and adding more overseas sites is evidence of that. Nope, that’s two different things, David. Care to explain?
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it's clear that the CAMC have taken this onboard in that they now have more sites in their overseas booking system than they have in the UK
I don't quite follow the logic David. Is it not that some sites over there are prepared to pay for the selling power of the CC and the CC are equally happy to make an income? Or have I missed something?
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Faulty logic all round and just fails. I cannot see the connection with giving members the option to book over there sites and taking their ideas on broad? You can book a ferry with the club? Is that taking over their ideas? Also:
1) the club does not own any sites over there, it just taps in to their booking sustem, just like booking sites over here (Triavgo, booking.com...)
2) There are more sites over there than in the UK so of course it has more for over there
3) You keep on saying there is no need to book over there (but of course you book, sorry, reserve yourself), so if by your own words there is no need how is allowing booking options taking on board over there ideas?
4) Have the club taken on any other over there ideas? dog charges? Knowing how find you are of dogs I would have thought that would be your first choice?
Anyway nice swerve but you still have not told us how solar panels in a far sunnier place over there could be used in our gloomy over here.
PS what country was it anyway? You forgot to mention
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I'm happy to stay on all sorts of sites Corners, as you know....many of which I do generate my own leccy...
I've said in the past that any organisation can invest to keep long term costs down....not every project should be seen as generating a customer on cost....for instance the CCC wifi thread suggested that they've actually recouped the investment via member fees and may be know waiving charges as it costs next to nothing to deliver...
CC should be doing this in the area of electricity costs....
claiming a 25% increase in costs to justify a pitch price rise seems way off beam compared to most domestic increases...
perhaps their 'overall' leccy costs have risen by 25%, some of it due to supplier increases but much of it due to customer increased demand re more appliances per van...
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Back to the OP.
I can only think of two sites where there are some sustainable energy implementations. Poolsbrook in Derbys and Moreton in Dorset. Are there any others out there?
The OP mentions Country File, the club is going to run a rally at the Country File show in Yorks this year. I wonder what the Club's environmental policies are, as anyone ever seen them?
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Try this!
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/12267629/renewable_energy_on_club_sites.pdf
An Extract:
Four years ago the Club considered renewable forms of energy and we instigated two sites that were
developed and monitored for performance to assist the Club going forward as to what and where
renewable energy systems will benefit the Club AND the environment. Several systems have been
installed since, renewable energy is an ever improving industry and renewable systems are now
becoming more feasible in respect of their investment cost. However with such a vast Estate the
Club already heavily invests to maintain the network and a conscious decision to increase this
necessary investment with renewable has to be justified against its return on that investment
The current Building Regulations under Part L (conservation of fuel and power) make it a necessity to
carry out detailed thermal modelling and design modelling which require all new buildings to be
energy efficient which usually requires renewable systems to be incorporated to obtain Building
Regulation approval.
The Club has, since these initial “trials” incorporated the following renewable forms of energy
Ground source heat pumps (using the heat from the ground several meters below the surface to
“pre heat” water for space heating) these have been incorporated at both Poolsbrook and Teasdale
developments
Air source heat pumps (extracting the external heat in the surrounding air to “pre heat” ~ a reverse
to refrigeration) we have installed air source at Bridlington and Strathclyde (used for space heating)
Solar thermal panels convert solar energy into heat and is another form of pre-heat which pre heats
the mains water delivered to site for our hot water to our toilet blocks, solar thermal has been
introduced at Poolsbrook, Ramslade, Bridlington and Teesdale
Photo photovoltaic panels (PV) converts’ solar energy into electricity and can be feed into our
buildings directly for “free electricity” we have used PV at a number of sites including Ramslade,
Poolsbrook, Teesdale, Strathclyde and Bridlington.
The above are renewable systems but there are more “savings” in energy made by ensuring air
tightness, good standards of thermal insulation, energy efficient plant and equipment and the right
controls and management of the installed systems1 -
The Op should be happy with that then, he can move onto Travelodge?
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Whats the cost of heating your caravan? We have a super duper modern van, with high levels of insulation (but even higher levels of ventilation holes). We were on a recently revamped CL in wales that had a electricity meter at each pitch. The electricity we were using to heat the van, while we were in, was costing the CL owner about £2.50 a day. A ridiculous amount to heat a caravan. This was not at a cold time of the year ... it might have been Easter.
I expect the energy cost of communal facilities on a club site are far less than the costs of heating the caravans.
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One assumes the CL owner was acting legally and reselling the electricity at the same price as he paid the supplier but, even so, I suspect the club, as a bulk user, would have a better deal in place with the supplier.
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