Many Britons choose to live off-grid in boats, camper vans and mobile homes, particularly during the pandemic. Now, they are among the people hit hardest by Britain’s cost-of-living crisis
The scrapping of a UK government promise to keep energy prices below £2,500 (€2,875, $2,820) for two years has rung alarm bells for the growing number of Britons living off-grid in mobile homes such as boats, camper vans and cabins.
From April, energy bills are set to increase by 73%, to an average household cost of £4,350.
UK households will receive £400 towards their bills from October. By comparison, the German state is to pay this December’s monthly gas bill for all households and small- and mid-sized businesses.
Those living off the grid, relying on bottled gas or petrol generators, say they will miss out entirely on any government energy support.
I follow this stuff a bit and so I am surprised to see that diesel/gas heaters, such as the Espar line are not highlighted.
They sip fuel and by all accounts are a huge success among Van Lifers. If they work in a van then they should just as easily supply adequate heat for a boat or other “Tiny Home.”
Lithium batteries can be quickly charged via an idling engine in a van ensuring you have light to cook by on an induction stove. Generators and natural gas for cooking remain reasonably popular but more and more designs leave them out of the equation. Lithium batteries and the heater types I mentioned can be a bit pricey but seem worth the investment.
