On Feb 11, 11:34*am, The Natural Philosopher
wrote:
Its not windy oop north, either, according to wind forecasts.
....
this has got the grid worried as its going to be colder than expected.

Could well be...

Currently using 20% more energy to heat NOW, than when it was -7oC
overnight & sub-zero during the day. Nearly as much in fact as the
-17oC night and -11oC day in 2011. I have a suspicion it is a
combination of an icy cold wind and brickwork formerly like glass with
frozen rain now melting, so shedding both water & heat.

Entire sides of houses were like thick glass when the rain came in and
froze on contact. Wind is a real enemy of many UK houses, re stripping
heat out of them particularly if bricks/mortar already wet. Overcast
skies mean little solar gain.