Moving
In - FAQs
How
does the Central Heating system work ?
Central
heating is usually controlled by a time clock in conjunction with
at at least 3 thermostats, a boiler thermostat, a room thermostat,
and a thermostat on the domestic hot water cylinder.
Click
here for essential information on central heating controls
and here
if you want to know more about heating systems.
When
a property has been empty the heating system is often switched
off.
First
of all, check that there is electrical power and to the heating
system and that the gas supply hasn't been turned off at the gas
meter.
There should be an on/off switch on the wall next to a time clock
which is often located in the kitchen or near the boiler.
It
may be set to "Off", or may just be set to come on for
a few hours a day.
The display should tell you the timer "status" i.e.
"Off", "On", "Auto", "On Once",
or "On Twice". Be aware that the functions on different
manufacturers' timers do vary and could be either digital displays
or simple mechanical controls.
To test it set the time clock to "On".
The system boiler should fire up.
If it doesn't fire up, check the boiler thermostat - its a small
control wheel on the front of the boiler, with numbers usually
from 1 to 5. Turn it up to 5 for testing.
When you know it works OK, set it at 3. See below about the thermostat.
If nothing gets warm, the boiler may be turned off with no gas
being delivered. You'll need help from the Landlord or Agent.
Let us know and we'll arrange it.
Once you know things are working, set the timer so that the heating
comes on in the morning, and goes off when you want.
Typical patterns are:-
0600
- 0900 and 1600 - 2300.
If
you set this, then select "On Twice". A different pattern
on the same timer can often be set to control when your domestic
hot water is heated.
The temperature is controlled by a room thermostat. For testing,
make sure that it is set to 25 degrees C. As you turn it you should
hear it click on. Once you know it works, then set your desired
temperature.
The
hot water temperature is controlled by the hot water Cylinder
thermostat which is normally set to 55 to 60 degrees C.
Gas
central heating boilers should be checked and serviced annually.
You will be able to take out a service contract with your gas
supplier to cover the whole of your central heating system. This
will cost between £100 to £150 per year and will cover the annual
service, any call out charges, labour costs and the cost of any
replacement parts if you have any subsequent problems with you
system. They are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
How
do I pay for Gas and Electricity ?
You
can choose from a number of companies for your gas and electricity
supplies to your house. Most companies provide both and often
offer better rates if you take both services from them. You may
still, however, prefer to use different companies for your gas
and electricity supplies. The choice is entirely yours. Changing
suppliers is easy to do. There are over 20 different suppliers
to select from.
www.buy.co.uk
, http://www.uswitch.com/Energy/index.asp?ref
and www.ukpower.com/suppliers.asp
, are all sites that can help you find the best supplier for you.
You can even arrange to change supplier using these websites.
You
may want to find out who supplied the previous owner of your house,
you do not have to continue with them if you can find a better
deal but until you settle-in this may be the most convenient option
for you.
Once
you have chosen your suppliers you will have various payment options.
Meters are usually read every 3 or 6 months and a billing account
sent to you soon after for payment. In the UK the winter payment
will be considerable higher than the summer payments.
An
alternative method is to pay equal amounts by Monthly Direct Debit,
this is the preferred option of many including the gas and electricity
companies. Discounts on your account are also given with Monthly
Direct Debits. An estimate of your annual gas and electricity
consumption and cost is calculated (based on the previous year
if details are available) and divided into 12 monthly amounts.
At the end of the year your gas and/or electricity consumption
may be lower or higher than estimated resulting in over or under
payments. These can be carried forward with a consequent adjustment
to your monthly payment or you may prefer a refund for over-payments
and pay the amount due for under-payments.
Some
suppliers provide internet accounts which require you to supply
them with your meter reading and they to provide access to your
account on the internet. No accounts are sent via the post. Charges
are lower on internet accounts and are provided by Amerada, Powergen,
Virgin Energy, London Electricity and SWEB
When
and how is the domestic rubbish/trash collected ?
Wheelie
bins are provided by your local district/town council for the
bulk of your household rubbish/waste/trash which is collected
weekly. Separate containers are increasingly being provided for
recyclable waste paper, cardboard and packaging materials which
are collected fortnightly. You will need to place the wheelie
bin and paper collection containers at the front of your property
for collection.
Your
local district/town council will be able to provide you with their
weekly collection schedules. Your neighbours will also be glad
help.
The district/town council will also be able to advise you of the
various recycling schemes and recycling centres for glass, cans,
paper and textiles. Information Leaflets usually accompany the
annual Council Tax demand.
Bottle
and can banks are also located in most supermarket car parks.
Click
here for a link to Wycombe District Council's website for
Refuse and Recycling Information. Other councils have similar
procedures.
How
is the mains water turned on/off ?
The
mains water supply to each premise is controlled by two 'stop
cocks'.
Outside
each property is a stop cock which is controlled by the water
authorities and is used to isolate the supply to a property if
remedial work is needed. If your water is metered this is where
the water meter will be located.
A
second stop cock is located in each house, usually in the
kitchen, and controls the supply from the mains. You
will need to locate this and in an emergency be able to turn
it off.
There may also be 2 more stop cocks next to the hot water
cylinder. One to isolate the hot water supply and one to isolate
the cold water supply from a tank in the loft. |
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Building
regulations now insist that each water outlet can be turned
on and off independently. This is done using control valves
inserted into the water pipes close to each outlet.
Older properties will have had them installed where kitchens
and bathrooms have been refitted.
Older properties that haven't had their kitchens and bathrooms
upgraded may only have the mains stop cock as a means of isolating
a supply to a tap/faucet/WC. |
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Who
supplies the water and how is it paid ?
Water
is supplied to you by your local water authority.
There
are two different ways of being charged for your water.
Unmetered,
a flat rate is charged regardless of how much water is used. An
annual statement will be sent to you in March for payment from
April.
For most people, the cost of water is based on the rateable
value of their home. The larger the property the higher
the rateable value.
Metered
charges, you pay for how much you use. People who have a
water meter, which includes most houses built after 1990, pay
a standing charge and then a cost per litre of water used. Only
20% of UK households have meters.
Paying
for your water.
On
metered accounts, you can pay each bill when it is due or over
12 monthly instalments. On unmetered accounts, you can pay once
a year, twice a year or up to 8 monthly instalments. These payments
can be made via Direct Debits or Standing Orders.
Click
here for further advice on paying for your water supplies
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