Hostafan1 said: I can't see how it can be accurate.
None of them are, including the government one I quoted. There are a lot of assumptions, averages and approximations (and cheats). This is part of the problem. We say we're reducing the country's carbon, but are we? Or have we just changed the assumptions?
Even so, it's useful to play with these things as a relative measure. Try changing the answer about how much you drive, or how you heat your home, and see how much difference it makes. That probably tells you more than the absolute number
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
The figure of average was from programme on BBC1,Save money save the planet I put heat the house with gas,but I don't have it on at the moment I do have to drive,as you know I have a disabled son, well,2 but carer for one,taken him for blood tests a couple of weeks back and went to see him Monday
I went today to the open Green Homes event, I mentioned above. It was very useful and inspiring - a modern, single story home with solar panels for electric power, an air source heat pump for hot water, and another for heating. High level of insulation and under floor heating, put in ten years ago. Most of us were visiting to see the heat pump and quiz the host about them.
I don't much about heat pumps (though I am interested). I understand from reading that maybe new gen models are more efficient. I don't know if outside fans for heating are quiter now. The one we saw was noisy - a constant loud hum, not rattly (unignorable, very much louder than a fridge). The home in question didn't have a neighbour's window close by. I'm not sure I would have personally risked putting the model in so close to a neighbour's property. But the hosts are delighted and have zero problems with it. They seemed to be sensitive people, so I don't think they would inflict it on unhappy neighbours.
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The striking thing was the pump for hot water. I hadn't realised that no big outside machine was needed for that. The one pictured below is in a utility room, and is about the size of fridge-freezer; Hardly any noise - about the same hum as a condensing boiler. The pipes go up through a flat roof, but there is no gadgetry up there. The whole set up is like a reverse fridge with no more needed than the fridge and some pipework. I was impressed.
For me, personally, I use hardly any gas or money on heating hot water, so I don't think it would be currently worth it in this house. All my usage is on heating. But it's def'ly food for thought.
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Disclaimer:
I'm not suggesting this is for everyone or anyone in particular. Some people on the thread expressed an interest in the event and I found the tech fascinating. The post is not designed to upset, infuriate or otherwise provoke rage.
Our heating now goes on at about 7pm. It's oil and only heats radiators in rooms we are using and then not to baking point. Full clothing and fleece rugs when we're just lounging about in the sofa after dinner.
Our water is heated by electricity and we have 7 PV panels and a couple of heat exchange pumps which help towards our two hot water tanks, lighting and cooking and various kitchen gadgets. We still consume leccy from the grid but on sunny days we also contribute to it when our own consumption is low.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Our exhaust extraction water heater looks like that one pictured by Fire - and yes, it's enormous. It's in a big cupboard which doubles as an airing cupboard (or hot press, if you live in Ireland...).
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Thanks @Fire, very interesting. I think they will have to build bigger homes with bigger outside space to fit those in. I imagine in a row of small terraced houses, the pumps might be very noisy - or perhaps you'd just get used to them. Not sure I'd like one.
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Even so, it's useful to play with these things as a relative measure. Try changing the answer about how much you drive, or how you heat your home, and see how much difference it makes. That probably tells you more than the absolute number
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I put heat the house with gas,but I don't have it on at the moment
I do have to drive,as you know I have a disabled son, well,2 but carer for one,taken him for blood tests a couple of weeks back and went to see him Monday
Our water is heated by electricity and we have 7 PV panels and a couple of heat exchange pumps which help towards our two hot water tanks, lighting and cooking and various kitchen gadgets. We still consume leccy from the grid but on sunny days we also contribute to it when our own consumption is low.
I was curious as I don't know anyone who has one