SomeoneSomewhere1984 t1_iunlj3v wrote on November 1, 2022 at 6:10 PM

Reply to comment by ASK_IF_IM_PENGUIN in Local council rationing hot water and heating as cost of living bites by Sirico

First of all, this is the municipal hot water line, that's used hot water from the tap and heating radiators. This doesn't affect electricity or gas service (though most homes using municipal hot water don't have a gas hook up). You cook on an electric stove, like you always do, and light your house the same way you always do. You could even run and electric heater if you need to, or install an electric hot water heater.

Thick blankets are great at night. Contrary to many people's belief, sleeping in the cold is good for you. Being warm under a thick warm blanket in a colder room will help you fall asleep faster and sleep sounder. Cold increases your metabolism, meaning you can eat more without gaining weight, and central heat may be a contributing factor in the obesity epidemic.

GetlostMaps t1_iuo4z4h wrote on November 1, 2022 at 8:12 PM

I heat my home but not my bedroom. Winter temps only get down to freezing occasionally though; if it was colder than that I'd probably heat the room a little.

twoaspensimages t1_iuo6hfn wrote on November 1, 2022 at 8:21 PM

I'm not sure if they are a thing over there. In the US heat pump hot water heaters are the way to go. And before someone says "what about cold climates?" I have one in my own home in northern Colorado. Yes, it steals heat from the house in the winter. It's not that many more BTUs for the air source to push in. In a 2500 sq/ft house I can't tell the difference before and after on the heating side. It got lost in the noise. Meanwhile the water heater costs me $76US a year for a family of three.

SomeoneSomewhere1984 t1_iuobe4f wrote on November 1, 2022 at 8:52 PM

Newer apartments don't have a hot water system in the house at all, hot water systems are often centralized for apartment complexes, blocks, or even neighborhoods, and residents just get a bill for their hot water usage. That will make switching over to renewables easier because you can switch thousands of houses seamlessly by making a change in one place, but that isn't what the UK is doing here.

Many older individual apartments that were built before hot water usage was normal use a gas or electric instantaneous water heaters for each appliance or room that needs hot water. Instantaneous hot water systems are a lot more efficient than typical large tank American hot water systems because they don't need to keep water hot when it isn't in use.