Heating Elements

[Toper]

I am placing this under 'Build Your Own' as many seem to use a kettle element (or similar) when constructing their boilers.

I also hasten to add that I have no technical expertise'

Quite recently smart meters were fitted for gas and electricity. These came with a small digital monitor which displays, in various modes, the power consumption at a given time. It has a small green light which shines as long as the power consumption is considered 'normal', assessed I understand from accumulated historic data. When the rate of consumption rises above this 'normal' rate, the green light turns to red.

My electric kettle always brings on the red light, from the time I switch it on and until the time it switches off.

Kettle element
Rated voltage AC 220-240V – 50Hz
Power consumption 2200W

If I place 1 pint of water in the kettle and a similar quantity in a small sauce pan, which is heated on a gas hob, whilst the kettle, with red warning light on is far, far quicker, the warning light never comes on when heating the same amount of water on the gas hob.

I am given to understand that electricity is more expensive per therm than gas. If it is also being consumed at a faster rate, then is it economical as the heating source for boilers?

No doubt I am missing some obvious point but, unless I ask I wont know.

[Easydrinker]

That is one interesting question.
Which I cannot answer.
But at twice the cost, I would favour electric heat over gas.
Indoor stilling with gas would freak me out, I fall asleep every once in a while the still is running.

Robert.

[Mash]

Open flames and alcohol vapours have taken the lives of 'stillers.

I have had a couple of yukes or burps. They made a mess. But fortunately nothing more.

[gaza the instructor]

+1 Mash. Would be a bit like putting £50 of super
in the Jag whilst smoking a roll up.

[Easydrinker]

+1 Mash. Would be a bit like putting £50 of super
in the Jag whilst smoking a roll up.

Gadzooks!
Is that frowned upon these days?

Robert.

[Mash]

Jags are. Not sure about the roll ups

[gaza the instructor]

Hey Mash whats wrong with Jags they rock,
well they do if you buy the right one.

[Easydrinker]

Hey Mash whats wrong with Jags they rock,
well they do if you buy the right one.

And own your own oil well!

Robert.

[Toper]

Interesting.

So the answer to the question I posed is (a) Own a Jaguar car (b) smoke roll ups and (c) own an oil well.

Thanks

[Easydrinker]

Happy to help

Robert.

[gaza the instructor]

Jag Cant put a price on fun. squeeze right pedal hard
light the tyres and wind up the supercharger purrrrrfect.
Roll ups. Cheap and quality smoke.
Petrol Station No just frequent visits.

[Mash]

What is the red warning light meant to be for?

[hampk]

If I place 1 pint of water in the kettle and a similar quantity in a small sauce pan, which is heated on a gas hob, whilst the kettle, with red warning light on is far, far quicker, the warning light never comes on when heating the same amount of water on the gas hob.

Leaving thermal losses out of the equation, it will take the same amount of energy to boil one pint of water whether you are using electricity or gas. The kettle does it very quickly because it forces the energy into the water.

I guess your little red light comes on when average energy consumption hits a threshold that your supply company considers is worth indicating. If you were able to expend the same amount of energy burning gas in the same time as your kettle takes boiling the pint, I would expect the red light to come on again.

Pikey's assertion that you can expect a visit from the authorities based on your smart meter readings may perhaps be a little Orwellian - cannabis growers tend to operate in environments where smart meters or indeed meters of any kind, are not usually part of the equation!

I think the cost of energy debate is a separate one, but I'm on the side of those who prefer not to have naked flames around volatile substances

Cheers

Hampk

[Toper]

Sanity at last! Just after I've gone and bought a Jag' and an Oil Well and taken to rolling baccy.

Thanks for those comments hampk, they make sense to me.

The little red light. I think, sets to a self-adjusting level for each household as a history of usage is built up. It is supposed to help you to economise by advising when your consumption is suddenly increasing.

To quote from the little handbook which came with the meters:

“GREEN Your home is using a low level of energy
.”
“AMBER Your home is using a medium level of energy.”

“RED Your home is using a high level of energy.”

“Please note- your smart meter display will start to learn your home's energy use and over time understand what low, medium and high use is for your home.”

What is a 'high' for one household could well be a 'low' or average' for another, without Big Brother turning up to interrogate in Room 101.

Thanks again.

[Easydrinker]

From my only Knowledge of instances of people growing cannabis, (one being my sister unknowingly renting out a house to one!) they don't bother with smart meters, or even paying bills, they simply chop straight into the meters for free electricity...

Robert.