Boilers and dry heating systems using electricity in Guernsey produce over 70% less carbon than oil heating and over 60% less than gas (LPG). This takes into account the entire lifecycle of each heating type, and for electricity this also includes electricity generated using diesel generators at the Vale power station.  

An storage heater banks imported, low-carbon electricity overnight during low-rate timebands and significantly reduces localised carbon emissions. This Off-Peak Heating produces over 85% less in carbon emissions than electric boilers, and over 94% less emissions than gas and oil heating. Off-Peak Heating works like a battery and means you can store heat energy during low-cost, low-carbon periods to use later in the day at 'peak' times. 

Air source heat pumps are one of the cheapest and cleanest ways to heat a home due to their high efficiency. Provided the property is well insulated, they can produce around 90% less carbon emissions than oil or gas heating, and nearly 70% less than an electric boiler. This refers to the entire lifecycle of each heating type, and for electric heating this includes power generated using heavy fuel oil at the Vale power station. 

In Guernsey, charge an EV between 11pm and 5am and you'll produce over 70% less carbon emissions than driving a petrol vehicle, and over 60% less than diesel. These figures are calculated across the vehicle's entire lifecycle and using our low-carbon, import-only electricity together with production of the lithium-ion battery and final disposal. EV Charging during 'peak' daytime hours will increase your EV's emissions as it includes fossil-fuel generation at the power station, but emissions will still be considerably less than an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. 

It's all about timing. By running household items such as hot water cylinders and electrical appliances between 11pm and 5am, you could reduce your appliance carbon emissions by around 90%. This is because during quiet periods on the grid, we can rely 100% on our imported low-carbon electricity which means a significant reduction in your carbon footprint simply by changing when you run certain appliances such as hot water cylinders, washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers. 

The best time to use electricity in Guernsey is between 11pm and 5am. During this period, demand is low and heavy fuel oil at the power station is not needed to top up your electricity demand. When islander's demand exceeds the 60MW renewable importation capacity, Guernsey Electricity will need to use fossil-fuel generators at the power station. Then when demand exceeds around 70MW, further fossil-fuel generation is needed to meet demand, which means more heavy fuel oil and more localised carbon emissions. 

How much does my vehicle cost to run? 

Use our online tool to compare the cost of driving a vehicle in Guernsey. The true cost should be considered in both in monetary terms and carbon impact which are featured on the calculator. 

These calculations are based on a number of assumptions and should be used as a guideline only. 

Why charge an EV between 11pm and 5am?

Set the electric vehicle's on-board timer to charge between 11pm and 5am as this is the cheapest* and cleanest time to use electricity.

Even during the colder, darker months, the power station is not needed to top up demand between 11pm and 5am. This means the carbon footprint of EV drivers can be significantly reduced simply by changing when the vehicle is charged. 

*Cheaper for customers on the Super Economy 12 Tariff 

Vehicle Lifetime

184,000 km was assumed as an average lifetime usage of a car, based on estimates from literature available for the study.

Electricity Mix

This consists of diesel-generated electricity at the Vale power station, on-island community solar power and imported renewable energy. 

Lifetime Intensity

These carbon calculations consider the emissions generated across the entire energy production chain.

The Guernsey Electricity's mix for the emissions intensity of GEL's electricity includes an assumption based on the proportion of electricity generated by each energy source (oil and renewable imports). 

*References: GEL sought independent advice from UK Carbon Emissions Specialists, WSP, in identifying the IPCC figures used in this note. 

This is an advertising campaign run by our sub-brand Electric Living to encourage electricity customers to consider switching some of their electricity usage to between 9pm and 5am while the power station is still being used during early 2022.