The lure of ehu
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I'm sorry Corners, your facetious remarks don't really warrant a reply. Of course it costs money to install new systems but it also costs money to run old systems. What you choose do at home has nothing to do with the way utilities are run on club sites but on here I read that some would like a choice and others aren't bothered, either way costs will go up and I'd be happy for the club to reconsider anything that might reduce costs in the long run.
However I liked Boff's OP and the thoughts about the costs (or savings) involved.
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they were not facetious at all but a question that no one that is advocating metering will give an answer to?
yes the old system costs money to run but that money is being paid for by the site fees. To install these new meters on every bollard (about 20000 I said before) will cost extra money (about £400,000?) that cannot be recouped by any other means than either using current reserves or increasing site fees, and this will on top of any other increases.
Why?
How will it reduce costs? the club pays what the bill is, we pay for that through these meters or the current inclusive fee. But even if the cost of electricity falls it will be paid for by what the members pay, there is no saving? But again the bi question, still unanswered is where will that extra money come from to pay for the new meters?
Have you considered that the club makes a profit on the all inclusive fee?
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It seems smart meters rely on the mobi network, then. How’s that going to work on sites with poor or no mobile reception, I wonder?
PS. Sorry if you think that’s facetious as well, Brue. I wonder why you replied to a post that you didn’t think warranted a reply🤔
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yes good point
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I have no doubt that metering will come to most caravan / camping sites. It's just a matter of how soon. The increased use of electric vehicles and spiralling energy costs makes it inevitable. Whilst charging them in the winter months probably doesn't incur significant additional costs, as you can only use your 16 amps once, charging in summer undoubtedly will. As the number of cars increase it will become impossible to pass this on as additional increases to all users.
What I find amusing is that some folk think it will lead to cost reductions in the pitch price. Although this will be the case in the short term, it won't be long before they sneak back up to the same level, plus electric on top.☹️
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indeed, ever known prices go down in cases like this?
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Well there have been at least two comments along the lines of "I'm not bothered what's turned on" and "we leave the heating and hot water on (when EHU is included) when we go out, but not (when it's metered)". So to me, that's unnecessary (profligate) use. (Or as some would say "I've paid for it, I'm damn well going to make sure I use it").
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Just in case anyone is interested, Exeter Racecourse has HS none electric pitch. Nicely positioned as well. Unless there’s a rally on.
Just looked at one of our old tent camping choices. Lower Wensleydale, a grass pitch, at furthest point on site from loos, no electric, coming to you now for £21.30 during July and August, two adults. That’s regardless of size of tent.
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I understood that smart meters did not need any external radio signals. They are already connected to the "mains" wiring and send their data up and down those wires.
A few taps on a computer at reception and any smart meter pitch can be non-EHU in an instant.
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When the van is at home and plugged in I never use the EHU for anything other than battery charging and sometimes the fridge. Warming the van up in the winter I use gas, just before we go away I also warm the water up on gas. At home of course, I pay for the electricity and/or the gas but I choose gas because it is more powerful, quicker and cheaper too.
On sites I tend to use gas for the initial warm up but then switch to electricity because yes, I have paid for it so of course will use it. If I was on metered on a site I would revert to battery charging only, just like we did in Germany many years ago as the EHU was very expensive or like in France where it was often only 6 amp years ago. To me using gas isn't a thing to be avoided at all costs its a more powerful alternative.
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indeed I agree, but does anyone know the cost on such a meter? then a possible guess of the cost of installing them everywhere?
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but perhaps more dangerous? and (not that I'm bothered) not as good for the environment?
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For the link to site equipment - Unfortunately, no prices.
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I don't imagine the club will ever go all out and install meters on bollards everywhere. But they may pick a couple of sites and convert a portion of bollards to metered electricity, or perhaps one whole complete site. Only then will the club be able to see what impact metered bollards would have on the ever increasing electricity bill, as members decide how little or how much they decide to use, or indeed some may decide to use none at all.
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Electricity has RCDs or MCB that will stop the flow if there is a problem with an appliance or the wiring or it detects a leak (to earth). I don't think gas does the same. Imagine a leak in the gas?
I don't trust gas after the 'engineers' while doing a service left the rubber pipe from the bottle disconnected from the regulator. I turned the gas bottle on and walked away (it was dark) it was only after we could smell gas that we found out what was happening. Now luckily the gas just drained down, but imagine a leak inside the van?
Yes we got a refund and future free service but...
Also did you read that any new homes should not be connected to the gas mains due to environmental concerns?
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Oh dear you have had a bad experience which has understandably left you rather nervous. I, or should it be we,have used gas all our married lives in houses, tents, caravans, and now our motor-home. Gas appliances have flame failure devices for safety, and gas has an added artificial smell to alert you to leaks, we also have a smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide detector. We have never ever had a problem, and I see gas as a safe fuel choice if appliances are checked regularly. I did see the suggestion that new houses could be built gas free.. I wouldn't want to live in an all electric house, I think to some extent they are clutching at straws with the environment thing, but we digress from the thread.
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What I find amusing is that some folk think it will lead to cost reductions in the pitch price. Although this will be the case in the short term, it won't be long before they sneak back up to the same level, plus electric on top
Hopefully competition would keep that in check, in anycase it is a fairer way of charging.
peedee
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I was hoping to find a cost comparison between "smart meter" equipment and otherwise identical equipment without. Nothing lasts for ever, and as internals, bollards and such like become time expired it may well be just as costly to "go smart" as not. In fact, some of the Caravan Club sites may already be fitted with meters that are not being used and we as the members are not being told about.
With the number of units required by The Caravan Club (and whatever buying cartel exists with the Camping and Caravanning Club) there will be a huge reduction from any published price anyway for whatever unit they choose. In fact, it could well be considered bad practice to install new equipment (as new build or time expired replacement) that was NOT metered.
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Back in 2008 the BHPA published the cost of card meters as being between £125 - £200 per pitch. The actual cost depended on how many pitches were being converted. £125 was the cost for a 40 pitch site. I don't know how much a smart metering system would be but I cannot imagine it to be much more given the way prices of electronic items fall over the years. However, for the Club to do every pitch on its network would still clearly be costly.
peedee
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But 200+ sites with an average of 100 pitches (too high?) per site, that's about 20000 bollards, now at say £20 per bollard (too low?) that is £400,000.
Corners, the last time I looked club sites didn't have 1 bollard per pitch. On average about 3 pitches per bollard so I think your guesstimate should be reduced by 66%.
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