Silly Season Again

[Manoverboard]

Well, I don't think that polar bears should pay taxes

[Lollie]

Apparently they are turning their attention to hairdryers and the like next, those with thick, long hair best stock up asap!

[Ray Scully]

Irrespective of individual views of global warming. It is a fact that fossil fuels are a finite resource. Therefore have we all not an obligation to use them sparingly?

Ray

[Mervyn and Trish]

I would agree Ray that there are good reasons for taking care over our use of fossil fuels, but not the stupid blind panic which, for example, sees us closing coal fired power stations, because the EU says so, before we have replacements built, resulting in the risk of our lights going out like some third world country. Or imposing "green" taxes, which mean some people on low incomes cannot afford to heat their homes. Or introducing technology which is expensive but not fully developed, such as the LED bulbs which I paid £8 each for last August. I bought five, with a claimed life of 25 years. I have one left after 1 year!

[david63]

I would agree Ray that there are good reasons for taking care over our use of fossil fuels, but not the stupid blind panic which, for example, sees us closing coal fired power stations, because the EU says so, before we have replacements built, resulting in the risk of our lights going out like some third world country. Or imposing "green" taxes, which mean some people on low incomes cannot afford to heat their homes. Or introducing technology which is expensive but not fully developed, such as the LED bulbs which I paid £8 each for last August. I bought five, with a claimed life of 25 years. I have one left after 1 year!

... and they now only cost £2.50

[johnds]

Apparently they are turning their attention to hairdryers and the like next,

Apparently Vacuum cleaners today - hair dryers next then electric kettles and toasters according to the beeb

Now I know it's 55 years since I studied physics (probably not called that now) but surely to heat a fixed volume of water from say 20c to 100c takes a fixed amount of power which let's measure in KwH. So 2000 KW takes say one minute but 1000 KW takes 2 minutes (or perhaps slightly longer allowing for heat dissipation as it warms up) How does that save power ?

[david63]

Now I know it's 55 years since I studied physics (probably not called that now) but surely to heat a fixed volume of water from say 20c to 100c takes a fixed amount of power which let's measure in KwH. So 2000 KW takes say one minute but 1000 KW takes 2 minutes (or perhaps slightly longer allowing for heat dissipation as it warms up) How does that save power ?

That is probably true when you look at traditional methods but these days there are so many "new" technologies about that you can probably heat water using less energy in the same amount of time.

The trouble with all of this is that it comes at a price and it is us, Joe Public, who will have to foot the bill at the end of the day.

[johnds]

David

I don't see how you can raise say 100ml of water from 20c to 100c with any less energy whatever you use.

John

[Manoverboard]

Perhaps their point is that it only needs to be 80 or 90 degrees rather than 100

[towny44]

Perhaps their point is that it only needs to be 80 or 90 degrees rather than 100

Well that's easy to achieve just have the thermostat switch set lower, of course your tea will then taste awful but which EU politician cares.

[david63]

David

I don't see how you can raise say 100ml of water from 20c to 100c with any less energy whatever you use.

John

I believe that induction heating is more efficient and uses less energy - although how practical it would be to make a cup of tea is probably debatable - but I would guess that there will be developments with such technologies over the next few years.

[Quizzical Bob]

David

I don't see how you can raise say 100ml of water from 20c to 100c with any less energy whatever you use.

John

You can't, and the slower you do it the more energy you waste.

[Manoverboard]

Perhaps their point is that it only needs to be 80 or 90 degrees rather than 100

Well that's easy to achieve just have the thermostat switch set lower, of course your tea will then taste awful but which EU politician cares.

No good for tea but 80 degrees is just fine for making coffee ... which will, no doubt, be their 2020 directive

[Ray Scully]

Luddites