About to rent a 5 bed stone semi-D house - oil heated and worried!

penguin25

My boyfriend and I are hoping to rent a 5 bed stone semi-d house in a villiage which has no gas, so it's all oil heating. We didn't know this until today, so we're rather miffed at the agents for not telling us until now but we still love the house and want to find out roughly what we will be spending on heating instead.

We both hate being cold so currently we have the heating on for 4 hours in the morning and about 6 hours in the afternoon/evening. I also click it on throughout the day if it's particularly cold, but it stays on about 21C. Hot water is on constant as I've found that with 4 kids, sometimes waiting for the emursion just isn't an option! We also run a washing machine and dishwasher though I have to admit I'm not sure if that's relevant :embarasse

I know to some people that's a lot of heating/water, and to do the same in a 5 bed house might be a bit mad, but I'd rather know what my worst case is than my best case and we be broke from it! We have a baby due in a few months too (hence to move) and I don't want the poor thing to be frozen.


So.... if anyone can advise what they pay, or what I might be paying in a 5 bed stone house with no double glazing and a possibly heating obsessed woman in the Bucks area might pay, that would be really helpful of you! The only thread I've found was from about 3 years ago, and fuel is forever rocketing so that may well be out of date now.

Thanks in advance.

bobmedley

This has been discussed in several other threads. Basically, without knowing boiler efficiency, outside temps, insulation levels etc, etc, etc you cannot calculate/predict your usage accurately.

Ask the landlord if he knows what the previous tenants paid/used as a start.

As a baseline, my modern, well insulated house with five bedrooms uses around 2,000 litres per year and that's with the thermostat at 19 not 21 - my guess would be between 2,500 to 3,000 litres so at 60p/litre that's £1,500 to £1,800.

But that's just a guess (other guesses are available);)

PS If not full, I would fill your tank now as the 60p will undoubtedly rise when the weather gets worse

MrsTinks

And it depends on when you buy the oil and loads of other factors... the lack of insulated windows however would add seriously to the bill!! We have a 3 bed mid terrace 7 years old house and we don't have the termos turned higher than 19 and less than half the time you have it on by the sounds of it... and we can happily go through 1200 -1500 litres a year and that's a pretty efficient combi boiler - I think if you calm down your use a little and learn to live with 19 instead of 21 then you can probably hit the £1800 number bob suggested. So that's £150 average a month BUT!!!! remember that it's usually more painful as you have to find £450-£600 in one lump (depending on how much you order each time). If you do a pay monthly scheme you usually end up paying far over the odds.

penguin25

Thank you for your advice, it's very helpful just to give a rough guide. Oil sure is expensive! :eek: I know I'm a bit mad on heating at the minute, hopefully one day I'll learn to calm down a bit (probably when I've got through 4000 litres during one winter!!)

Thanks again.

justjohn

we have a 5 bed edwardian house solid stone walls. heating is on november onwards.

Previous years we have used 3000-4000 litres. We are in the house most of the day and all weekend.

Boiler is a combi, hot water is on demand.

However we also use a wood burner to heat a large living room.

suki1964

I tend to work it as a litre an hour - so ten hours - 6 quid a day ( on today's prices)

G_M

As you are renting it is essential you get a written agreement about the oil in the tank at the start of the tenancy, and what happens at the end.

There might be something in the tenancy agreement/contract, and/or the inventory.

When you leave, what happens if there is more oil in the tank than when you arrived?(or vice verse):
a) how is this proved? and b) is compensation paid?

Sort this out now, in writing, to avoid misunderstandings/disputes later.

Do not rely on a vague "leave the same amount in the tank". It's impossible. You have a fill-up once/twice a year so it's impossible to ensure that when you leave 4 months later there will be the 'right' amount in the tank. And you can't exactly take it with you....!

penguin25

I had wondered how we would sort that one out as like you say, you can't really just 'guestimate' the amount of oil when it comes to the entering and vacating oil level. I've asked my other half to check that with them.

We just had the EPC at last, and it appears to be wrong as it says the windows are mostly doubled glazed. This house is a bit of a headache that's probably what you get for getting a 'bargain' priced rented house!