Heating interface unit in new build HIU

hlou

Hi,

Has anyone had any dealings with a heating interface unit? We are purchasing a new build flat and the water and heating is supplied by a communal energy centre in the basement.

We have been told that we won't be able to change suppliers because of it, but i haven't been given any information on the actual costs of running one of these systems.

Just wondering if anyone on here might have come across one before and have a rough idea of costs and how well they work? Our flat is a one bedroom top floor flat.

Thanks!

societys_child

adalinaabella wrote: »

If you are on top floor then it will definitely heated you can use alternate.

I have not much idea..!

Thanks!
midtownphx

:huh: That's very informative :rotfl:


Sorry hlou, I can't help either, hopefully someone will along shortly who can.

poppysarah

What info did you get when you were buying?

hlou

The information listed in my original post is pretty much what we've been given. We were told that we won't be able to change energy y suppliers because of this communal heating.

I believe there is a meter, so it's not just a standard fee, but we basically won't have a gas bill - it will be a 'heating' bill, which will cover our hot water and heating, and then an additional electricity bill for all the usual stuff.

I am just wondering if it is likely to be the same sort of costs as it would for hot water and heating on a regular gas bill.

[Deleted User]

If you have a copy of the documentation to hand could you provide the exact wording used? There doesn't seem to be very much information about this online at all, I ran into this document from a government study that concludes:

If there is no behaviour change following the introduction of heat metering, in any one multi-storey block of flats there will be consumers whose heat bills increase and those that decrease. However, the net effect over the block will be zero if a ‘standard’ fixed and variable element tariff is introduced. This statement assumes that occupants take no measures to manage space heating demand or domestic hot water use

which I think may be relevant, but from my cursory read through I'm not confident it is the same thing.

[Deleted User]

This article seems to conclude it (when done right) can be cheaper than a traditional heating system for individual unit residents, however there are downsides: if a resident can't/won't/doesn't pay, the other residents must pick up the slack.

http://www.modbs.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/11111/Modern_communal_heating_.html

hlou

ah ive also just seen that it is also called a 'combined heat and power system'

Johnandabby

hlou wrote: »

Hi,

Has anyone had any dealings with a heating interface unit? We are purchasing a new build flat and the water and heating is supplied by a communal energy centre in the basement.

We have been told that we won't be able to change suppliers because of it, but i haven't been given any information on the actual costs of running one of these systems.

Just wondering if anyone on here might have come across one before and have a rough idea of costs and how well they work? Our flat is a one bedroom top floor flat.

Thanks!

The way it works is that the landlord will generate heat and then sell it to you. As such, you can't change supplier as only your landlord can deliver heat through the pipework to your flat.

In theory it should be cheaper than buying gas to run a boiler and generate your own heat, as the combined heat and power plant is more efficient than a domestic boiler. You also don't have to worry about servicing your own boiler etc.

However, in practice you will normally end up being charged administration charges for meter readings etc that will push up your bill. In my experience these charges can be as much as the actual energy costs.

The heat interface unit only provides the heat (for the radiators and for hot water for showers etc), but you will also have an electricity supply to the flat. Unless the scheme has a private wire network (worth asking them), you will be able to change supplier for electricity to whoever you want.

Johnandabby

citricsquid wrote: »

This article seems to conclude it (when done right) can be cheaper than a traditional heating system for individual unit residents, however there are downsides: if a resident can't/won't/doesn't pay, the other residents must pick up the slack.

http://www.modbs.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/11111/Modern_communal_heating_.html

But it's written by a company that makes heat interface units, so it's bound to conclude that it's cheaper.

In theory it should all be cheaper, but in reality with typical poor management, poor maintenance and high administration costs it ends up significantly more expensive than individual boiler systems.

The only reason it's done is to meet carbon reduction targets set by councils for new buildings.

Johnandabby

hlou wrote: »

The information listed in my original post is pretty much what we've been given. We were told that we won't be able to change energy y suppliers because of this communal heating.

I believe there is a meter, so it's not just a standard fee, but we basically won't have a gas bill - it will be a 'heating' bill, which will cover our hot water and heating, and then an additional electricity bill for all the usual stuff.

I am just wondering if it is likely to be the same sort of costs as it would for hot water and heating on a regular gas bill.

Yes, there will be a meter that measures how much heat you use. There are normally administration charges added onto communal heating bills, so I would expect your heat bill to be higher than a gas bill - sorry! I've seen some bills where the administration charges are as much as the heat.

Have you asked about service charges etc? Central combined and power plant is expensive to maintain and (eventually) replace - have you been given enough information to know whether this is affordable for you?

hlou

Johnandabby wrote: »

Yes, there will be a meter that measures how much heat you use. There are normally administration charges added onto communal heating bills, so I would expect your heat bill to be higher than a gas bill - sorry! I've seen some bills where the administration charges are as much as the heat.

Have you asked about service charges etc? Central combined and power plant is expensive to maintain and (eventually) replace - have you been given enough information to know whether this is affordable for you?

We know what the service charge will be and have factored this into our budget - we are still going to be saving around £500 on the rent that we have already been paying for the last year!

Do you know how often these things need replacing?

We currently pay around £40 a month on our gas (which covers heating, hot water and our hob. this is for a 2 bed flat above a shop.

The flat we're buying is a one bedroom new build and we are on the top floor (third floor) of the block. Are the heating costs likely to be more than this?