Vloggers Experience of Metering

Everyones usage will differ, depending on numerous factors.

We used meters on a couple of CLs in our Autumn trip. Both CLs allowed a small amount "FOC". First one in August. No problem of getting anywhere near the free amount of 12kw per day (a very generous amount). We used less than 4 per day, no gas used except for cooking. Second one at the end of September was slightly different. Only 6 kw per day free and weather quite cold with a cold easterly wind. Nevertheless we still only used an extra 6 kw over 4 nights.

We don't have heating on at all at night and like to be out and about for a good portion of daylight. We tend to keep the caravan at 18º until about 9 pm then switch it off. Back on at around 8 am.

I would anticipate using about 20-25% more in winter months. We still switch off overnight even in minus weather. Maybe we're unusual. (Don't care).

So metering for us wouldn't necessarily result in huge extra expense but can see that for some it would be a shock to the wallet and could very well put people off touring out of high season or warm weather at least.

It just goes to show that using refillable LPG tanks is much more economical and the initial cost of the installation can quickly be recovered.

At today's price of LPG his £21 would have purchased a whopping 110 plus kWh's of LPG energy more than halving his expenditure for the same usage.   

That’s a very interesting vlog and insight into metered electricity. Yes, folks’ needs and wishes will be different but any measure to reduce frivolous and excessive use of energy must be good for both the pocket and the environment. I do agree with the vlogger when he says we are the little people and action should be concentrated on the wasteful big fish particularly when we do our bit too to limit and reduce energy consumption. Every little helps!

We went through exactly this process when we stayed at Skybarn Farm CL for a week in March of this year. I suppose our van is fairly 'power hungry' - 8.1m x 2.5m - big fridge and freezer, Truma heating plus underfloor heating, electric towel rail, etc etc.  It got down to -5 on the first night - although even then, we only have the heating set at about 14 degrees overnight. We used the van as 'normal' for the first 24 hours and used £10.70 worth of electricity (charged at 37p per unit). Nicola has dropped the nightly charge from £25 to £20 and then the metered leccy price is extra. 

Needless to say, I was a bit shocked - especially as we hadn't been particularly extravagant.  Thereafter, though, I ran the heating and water heating on gas (Safefill) and the average daily cost dropped to just over £5 - so back to square one, in effect. Can't be certain, but I'm guessing we used less than £10 worth of gas for the remainder of the week.

Repeated the exercise later in the year (October) when it was much warmer and our daily electricity charge worked out at £1.70 - so well in front even with gas costs taken into account.

Although I was slightly apprehensive about going on a metered site - now that I know what to do, I think it's an excellent idea.

Agreed, those who have refillable gas and who have had experience of a metered site, perhaps abroad, will have no issue in leaving the big ticket items (fridge/freezer, heating, hot water, hot plate cooking!) to their cheap gas.

things will become a bit trickier for those who have small (6kg) gas bottles as these are very expensive per litre, thus causing some decisions between expensive gas and expensive electric.

It's generally accepted that a large fridge/freezer will use about 3-4kwh a day, which is likely to be the extent of any included allowance.

the sort of pitch discount the club seems to be offering as we move to a metered site isn't likely to be enough for folk (well, this folk for sure) to shrug their shoulders and 'just pay up' the leccy bill....

If this club move becomes the norm, I can see a few more folk doing a bit of investigation around pumped gas. we actually have one large refillable and a spare slot for one pre filled bottle, usually a large Spanish one, giving us the choice of pumped or bottled gas wherever we are, we are used to metered pitches abroad.

should folk turn to pumped gas they will soon realise that most heating systems are far speedier and responsive when using gas than with electric, another real benefit to put alongside the running costs mentioned above. 

I was preping my van for a long weekend away last week. I put the fridge and heating on on Wednesday morning (bitterly cold )set to 22C in the day, 16C at night. Over the two days until we left on the Friday morning, my smart meter and my energy company indicated I had used 24Kw above the norm, which at 42p per Kw came to £10. The temperature went down to -5C over night on Wedesday. and I was very happy to pay that to insure we had a nice warm van to go away in otherwise the first night away might have been rather chilly.

peedee

I think the interesting thing about the video was the genuine surprise at how much electricity was used, to the vlogger and me! I suppose unfortunate that the trip coincided with very low temperatures which made the problem worse. There will be those on here who are used to being off grid who will suggest refillable cylinders, lowering the temperature of the heating etc, etc. However there are many members whose units are likely to max out the available power supply and if its included in the price will think nothing of it. It is only when they are faced with paying for it separately that they realise how much it is an element of the  site fee which the vlogger alludes when wondering if site prices are actually not as high as we think if you take into account the electric use element? 

David

My thoughts are if the vloggers use is typical, then no wonder site fees are so high.

peedee

PD. In the preparation scenario you describe I would have done much the same as you but only over a around a 24 hour period.  We have an Alde system with a engine heat exchanger.  In most cases, even in sub zero temperatures I have found that within 30 minutes driving the whole van is toasty.

David.  I was not surprised at the amount of electricity used.  The van shown was not designed or built for use in very low temperatures.  Thin poorly insulated walls and roof and a single floor are just not suitable. Frankly I found the Vlog disturbingly misleading mainly because the Vlogger seems to have very little understanding of the subject he chose.

I can’t say I am that surprised. We like to keep our MH a similar temperature to the OP and also  have a large fridge freezer. Although our van is somewhat smaller than the OP’s twin axle caravan, so may use a bit less. What it does clearly demonstrate is that most club sites are significantly underpriced in winter, out of the main peaks. There would seem to be little scope for significant price reductions if metering is brought in. Fortunately we have refillable gas so could take up that option. Those who don’t, might think twice about going away with nightly charges at £30 or so +£20 for electric.