Electric Metering on Pitches 2025 – Fair Usage Policy

Quick Start Guide

• Step 1 – Plug in
• Step 2 – Scan the QR code
• Step 3 – Set up payment account – you will only be charged if you go over the allowance of units included

The day has come for Fields End Water to face the reality of rising electricity prices and take action.

It’s not something we ever envisaged we would have to entertain, but like all domestic users, businesses have faced the same rises in electric (and all utilities), in the past few years and on a park of our size, the increases have been nothing short of astronomical.

Why now?

Not only has the cost per unit of power risen by around 25% (for many parks it’s way higher), modern vans now have lots of new technologies installed, such as air conditioning, underfloor heating, full sized fridges and freezers, etc. And so, through careful analysis, we are now aware that not only have energy prices risen, but usage by some guests have increased too.

Electric has always been included in your pitch price and this isn’t changing.

However, we don’t feel it’s fair for the majority of our guests who are environmentally aware and careful with what they use, to subsidise or be penalised for, the few that are consistently high users.

Nor do we think Fields End Water should foot the bill for the minority. We have spoken with lots of Tranquil Parks whilst deciding if electric metering is the way forward. Those who have already gone down this route have reported that after some initial concerns, the majority of guests are on board with the concept and understand the reasons behind it.

However, there is background chatter on social media from the minority that this is ‘money-making’ move by parks. We can categorically state that it really isn’t the case. It is not legal to make a profit by providing guests with electricity.

In simple terms, we are asking guests to think as carefully about the energy they are consuming, in the same way that they do at home.

Awareness, knowledge and responsibility.

Our new, digital, automated system will allow both guests and the park to know exactly how much power is being used and where usage is highest in real time (updates every 30-60 seconds), via new technology that has been developed specifically for our industry. This is going to help us all make informed choices and understand why some folks or technology uses more or less than others. We can all make informed choices and little changes that will help us all and the environment.

We also hope to understand what equipment / gadgets / technology is power hungry, which will help both us and guests. We already know that wet central heating requires 18 more power than other types (one guest on another park was using £18 a day!) and that leaving a water heater on constantly is much like boiling a kettle 24 hours a day. Turning down a fridge, just a tad, could make a noticeable difference.

During the 12 months after installation, we will be learning how this all works and how we will tweak things in the future, for example, this year we will include 8kw (units) of power per pitch.

This is a higher number of units than the average used (based on our own calculations of what is used per night).

We will contact you again soon to explain more about exactly what you need to do on your next visit.

This new system should be installed for the 1st April, and any guests arriving after the installation will receive an email before arrival, giving an accurate information how to det up your electric account, very simple.

In short though, the system works via a small piece of equipment attached to the existing electricity supply on your pitch. On arrival you plug into the equipment, scan a QR code and input your card details (in case you go over the allocated quota of power). Later in the year, this will be simplified further when there will be an app. Don’t worry if this sounds alien, we can help on arrival if necessary. If you don’t have a smart phone, then we will have system in place, from reception to get around this issue.

In our conversations with other parks, we know that electric metering has made a huge difference to guest behaviour and awareness, as they make small changes, (if they choose to), and reduce usage. This not only is more environmentally responsible, but it means savings for the park.

These savings on our own park will be used for improvements for guests in the future and makes it easier to make financial decisions on whether or not to reinvest or hold back in case of further energy rises.

What does this all mean for you?

• For the vast majority of guests, it will make no difference to what you have already paid for your pitch. Only high users of power will see a difference / additional charges via the app.
• Any unused units per night are rolled over into the next day and so on, for the duration of the stay
• Fair usage policy means that guests who are being responsible and aware are not subsidising those who are high users;
• Could potentially mean savings on pitch prices for the following year - this will not be known until we have a full year of data.
• Savings will be reinvested in better facilities and improvements elsewhere.
• Guests can monitor in real time (via the app), exactly what electric they are using and which devices / equipment are power hungry - make informed choices

What does this all mean for Fields end Water?

• Electric prices are only going one way…. up. This impacts all parks decisions on which improvements are viable each year and potentially holds back planned improvements. We wish to maintain the high standards that our guests deserve
• Future proofing and sustaining our business as you and we know it.
• Accurate, real-time monitoring of power usage on all parts of the park.
• Identify any faults or issues as they arise.
• Environmentally aware parks can help to reduce usage in line with current green initiatives and ongoing climate change concerns.

A rough guide to devices and equipment that are known higher users of power in caravans & motorhomes

• Wet floor heating
• Water heaters and electric heating – advise using timers rather than leave on 24 hours
• Fridges & freezers – we encourage the use of gas rather than electric where possible or to turn down a fraction
• Kettles & hair dryers
• As a rule, all devices that produce heat or cold are the worst culprits
• Some Alde & Truma systems can use significantly more power due to how they operate but don’t quote us on that!
• Lights, phone charging and TVs use little energy

We do hope you all understand and look forward to greeting you onsite soon.