Submitted by Sirico t3_yjdtx8 in nottheonion
Comments
SomeoneSomewhere1984 t1_iunlj3v wrote
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
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
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
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.
byandbuy t1_iunfw7z wrote
Shocking that that this is the centre of London.
Berlin_Blues t1_iunictc wrote
I wonder if the upper class, in particular those deciding such things, are affected and adhere to the rule.
ASK_IF_IM_PENGUIN t1_iung9li wrote
For those worried about this, consider what you can do to prepare now. Hopefully you'll never need it, but is there anything to make your life easier in case it does?
In the UK the weather is still relatively mild, so heating for a lot of people isn't necessary just yet. But that makes it a sensible time to prepare.
If you have no heating, what else can you do to keep warm? Hot water bottles? Can be kept topped up with hot water from a Thermos or similar. Rechargeable handwarmers (the kind you boil briefly to reset). Warm blankets from a thrift shop.
What about cooking? Camping stoves? Or have plans for cold meals which aren't just sandwiches. Perhaps put something tinned to one side now so you don't end up panic buying.
Lighting? Not just candles, but battery powered lamps, camp lights etc?
Battery packs for emergencies to keep your phones charged?
Entertainment? Without a TV, the internet etc. do you have anything else on hand?
None of this is necessarily free, and it's only common sense, and with any luck you'll never need it anyway, but it's worth considering.