Ok, now that this is all sorted and we're all moved in - paying £30 a month electric and £40 a month gas for now - but I've noticed the boiler makes a humming noise all the time.

As I'm Canadian and we heat our homes with furnace oil brought in on a truck in my home province, this whole natural gas boiler system is still like Greek to me. Should the boiler make a low quiet humming noise all the time while its shut off? Its on off for central heating I mean, and on 3/4 dial for hot water temp. Even if no hot water at all is running its still making this hum. I know that this forum likely isn't the best place for boiler advice, but a google search about this issue turned up nothing useful and I don't want to find out it's using some obscene amount of gas because its firing all the time. I'd rather find out now if something is off about it than after a huge bill arrives. However, the landlord does have the safety check up to date.

Anyone else ever notice their boiler makes noise all the time? I think the one in the last place we lived didn't, but it was in the cellar and it was almost brand new. This one is older and in the bathroom. Any opinions welcome!

Based on my experience, I'd expect a direct debit of approximately of ~50 p/m Gas and ~30 p/m Elec. Bearing in mind that ideally you need to be in front for the winter (as your gas usage *will* exceed the rate your paying in winter) and I'm sure you don't want to be in debit.

Don't start off too low and increase from there, its much harder paying a debit + your usage, than having a refund and paying your usage once you've found that out.

*When i say *will* thats on typical basis.

Regards

Hi,

Jalexa's right. I'd suggest phoning a supplier, any supplier, and giving them info on what type of boiler and meter(s) you have. Also give them a list of the major appliances you have and how much you use them.

They should be able to calculate a reasonably accurate estimate. Obviously this may be slightly above or below your actual consumption but once you've got actual monthly reads then you should be able to recalculate your direct debit after 3 or 6 months (depending on the supplier).

trblsm1:

I would suggest for starters you select the closest type of house or "low" usage in the sign-up. What's more important is that you manage your account whenever a statement arrives by submitting a customer reading and if necessary make provision for paying more. I understand you want to have an accurate Direct Debit but that's difficult without accurate consumption. Also it's much easier to increase the monthly payment at any time but it's very difficult to reduce it except at the 12 month review and even then it can be difficult.

Whatever payment is set, you are bound to be ahead until the winter period.

Don't know about British Gas online billing but the Scottish Power online billing system calculates the account balance immediately you submit online meter readings. You do not need to wait to be asked. Every month if necessary so there need not be any nasty surprises.

Tip, always submit your readings just after the Direct Debit is collected.

Looking forward, once you have accurate annual consumption figures the easiest way to get an accurate Direct Debit is to switch supplier using the annual consumption figures. Well worth checking anyway that you are still on a good deal.

Hi everyone,

My Husband and I are about to move into our first rented accommodation together, having been renting and all inclusive room from his co-worker for the past year and a half.

We have absolutely no idea what our previous usage is or will be, having never done this before. Our current housemate's bills won't give any indication as he has a huge 4 bed terrace with little insulation that is always cold and we are taking a well insulated 2 bed terrace. We're both full time employed, however due to his hours he will sometimes be home on weekdays and I will always be home on weekends. Our house will probably have someone home all day 2-3 weekdays and all weekend most weeks.

I don't know if I should call the supplier (we intend to use British Gas but the house we're renting is currently with Scottish Power) and explain the situation, or just use 'average' figures. I don't want to start off over paying or under paying on direct debt. Not sure it will matter as we'll be doing meter readings online but there is no option for 'I don't know' signing up online!

Any advice apreciated!