Moving In - FAQs

• How does the Central Heating system work ?
• How do I pay for Gas and Electricity ?
• When and how is the domestic rubbish/trash collected ?
• How is the mains water turned on/off ?
• Who supplies the water and how do I pay for it ?

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.

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.

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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