As the colder months creep in, so the annual household feuds over heating commence. For every flatmate that’s willing to spend a bit more for the sake of some extra warmth, there’s another that will vehemently campaign against it. Fair enough, given that energy bills are only expected to get higher and higher over the next year.
If you’re part of the camp insisting that the heating be turned down in favour of a few woollen blankets and a hot water bottle, here’s some news that may well strengthen your cause.
Right now National Gas, the company that runs the UK’s main gas network, is mulling over plans to give customers money if they volunteer to use less gas during peak times.
Not only is reducing energy cheaper for households, but it eases pressure on the UK grid and lessens the chance of blackouts. National Gas already runs a similar scheme for its big industrial customers. The plans are only provisional at the moment, so won’t be launched this winter. The company said that it’s working with the government and the National Grid’s Electricity Systems Operator to figure out exactly how the scheme could work.
A spokesperson said: ‘We are in the early stages of exploring whether a small-scale trial could look at the feasibility of the public turning their gas down slightly during times of reduced supply - voluntarily and in return for payment.
‘We are in a better position this year in terms of gas supplies, but it's important we look at a range of long-term options to bring down costs for consumers and balance supply and demand.’
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