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Most renters still have the option to turn down the thermostat though, so whilst the ability to respond to incentives may be dampened, they should still have an

by RobinL 5y ago

Most renters still have the option to turn down the thermostat though, so whilst the ability to respond to incentives may be dampened, they should still have an effect. Admittedly, there are some rentals with bills included. But if gas was very expensive, few landlords would offer it.

yunohn 5y ago
> Most renters still have the option to turn down the thermostat though I can’t tell if this is serious? You’re saying that the gov policy’s effect should be the common man freezing during winter? I don’t know anyone who runs their heating for shits and giggles. > Admittedly, there are some rentals with bills included I’ve seen very few (<10%) of rentals that come with utilities included. It wouldn’t make sense either, I’d rather pay for my usage. Not the upper limit of usage that the landlord is accounting for while determining rent.
- RobinL 5y ago
  > I don’t know anyone who runs their heating for shits and giggles. Heating isn't a binary thing - we want people to minimise their use of gas within reason. Most people I know could turn their heating down a couple of degrees and put on a warmer jumper, some thermal underwear, or sit with a hot water bottle whilst at their desk if working from home. I've managed to save >30% of my households gas usage in this way. Yes, there are people on the poverty line who already use their heating at a minimal level. And at risk elderly people. This problem is best solved with subsidies to these specific groups, rather than gas that is too cheap for everyone relative to its environmental impacts. This view (that a sizable portion of people can reasonably turn down their heat) is substantiated by UK government research, see e.g. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/251785/what_people_want_from_their_heating_controls_qualitative_study.pdf https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/... For instance, there are lots of people heating rooms they don't even use, and heating their whole house overnight.
  - yunohn 5y ago
    > I've managed to save >30% of my households gas usage in this way. That’s good for you! I fully support educating families that are indeed superfluously running heating. However, I would also like the exorbitant taxes to go towards actually fixing insulation/heating, or investigating/penalising landlords that don’t fix the overpriced rentals they provide.

by RobinL 5y ago

yunohn 5y ago

> Most renters still have the option to turn down the thermostat though I can’t tell if this is serious? You’re saying that the gov policy’s effect should be the common man freezing during winter? I don’t know anyone who runs their heating for shits and giggles. > Admittedly, there are some rentals with bills included I’ve seen very few (<10%) of rentals that come with utilities included. It wouldn’t make sense either, I’d rather pay for my usage. Not the upper limit of usage that the landlord is accounting for while determining rent.

RobinL 5y ago
> I don’t know anyone who runs their heating for shits and giggles. Heating isn't a binary thing - we want people to minimise their use of gas within reason. Most people I know could turn their heating down a couple of degrees and put on a warmer jumper, some thermal underwear, or sit with a hot water bottle whilst at their desk if working from home. I've managed to save >30% of my households gas usage in this way. Yes, there are people on the poverty line who already use their heating at a minimal level. And at risk elderly people. This problem is best solved with subsidies to these specific groups, rather than gas that is too cheap for everyone relative to its environmental impacts. This view (that a sizable portion of people can reasonably turn down their heat) is substantiated by UK government research, see e.g. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/251785/what_people_want_from_their_heating_controls_qualitative_study.pdf https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/... For instance, there are lots of people heating rooms they don't even use, and heating their whole house overnight.
- yunohn 5y ago
  > I've managed to save >30% of my households gas usage in this way. That’s good for you! I fully support educating families that are indeed superfluously running heating. However, I would also like the exorbitant taxes to go towards actually fixing insulation/heating, or investigating/penalising landlords that don’t fix the overpriced rentals they provide.