New-build flat and renewable heating system

simon.law789

Hi, I'm hoping this isn't too niche a topic and that some other MSEs have come across this issue before.

A bit of context, I part-bought a new build flat and moved in to it about a year ago.

At the time of my purchase, I was sold the 'benefit' that the building has a Combined Heat and Power bio-gas boiler in the basement (a renewable energy measure to reduce the carbon footprint of the building) which would supply the hot water for my flat and would reduce my energy bill.

In addition to buying the 'heating and hot water' from the company that manages the bio-gas boiler, Insite Energy, I use British Gas for my electricity. I have separate meters for my use of the bio-gas boiler and my use of electricity and I receive two separate bills.

My issue is that when I combine the two bills I receive, per quarter my cost for heating and electricity is far higher than I would expect for a new build flat and is similar to what I was paying in my previous flat, which was much larger, older and more people lived there.

While I can shop around for a better electricity tariff, I am stuck with the tariff from the company supplying the hot water and heating. I feel this tariff grossly overcharges (it has a 32p per day standing charge that I incur even if I don't use my boiler) and how they reach their charges isn't explained in their billing. No one has ever come to my flat to check my meter.

Quite separately I pay a service charge to my housing association for maintenance on the building

Insite Energy itself is pretty amateurish and when I recently called to talk about my billing, they are unable to tell me in anymore detail how the charges are broken down beside the standing charge. I have other issues with the company (their billing periods are erratic and customer service atrocious) but that's not really a point for now.

My question is therefore, can I dispute these charges (the standing charge and how my bill is worked out) and how can I do this?

I did not enter into a contract with this company at any stage, I assume I gave presumed consent for the company to charge me for hot water and heating on purchasing the flat - it is, after all, built into my apartment. What are my rights if I decide not to pay?

Any help with this would be much appreciated.

Simon

matelodave

Have you checked your tenancy agreement as it probably tells you in there where you've got to get your heat from - so if you signed it you are contractually obliged. Your only alternative is to move out.
My brother has a similar problem and he owns his place but it is on a complex where energy is supplied by a centralised CHP system - it's in his T&Cs to pay the standing charge although he doesn't have to use the heat - he can use electricity if he wants to but there's no option for gas or any other alternative. gas

Nada666

simon.law789 wrote: »

it is, after all, built into my apartment

Sounds like consent to me!

Johnandabby

It's likely that your meter talks remotely to the central system so that they don't have to read the meter manually.

Your HA has chosen not to manage the CHP system themselves, hence you getting charged extra to cover the administration costs, profit, future plant replacement costs etc for the company running the system.

I regularly see these CHP systems where the admin costs are more than the actual energy costs - the govt and developers conveniently forget this fact while bleating about how 'low carbon' the scheme is...

You'll probably also find that the CHP system doesn't work properly and has been switched off (replaced with standard gas boilers) - therefore any predicted energy savings are not realised in practice. Too complicated for 'amateur' companies to operate and maintain - I've seen large companies struggling to run £100M buildings....

KatRa_2

simon.law789 wrote: »

Hi, I'm hoping this isn't too niche a topic and that some other MSEs have come across this issue before.

A bit of context, I part-bought a new build flat and moved in to it about a year ago.

At the time of my purchase, I was sold the 'benefit' that the building has a Combined Heat and Power bio-gas boiler in the basement (a renewable energy measure to reduce the carbon footprint of the building) which would supply the hot water for my flat and would reduce my energy bill.

In addition to buying the 'heating and hot water' from the company that manages the bio-gas boiler, Insite Energy, I use British Gas for my electricity. I have separate meters for my use of the bio-gas boiler and my use of electricity and I receive two separate bills.

My issue is that when I combine the two bills I receive, per quarter my cost for heating and electricity is far higher than I would expect for a new build flat and is similar to what I was paying in my previous flat, which was much larger, older and more people lived there.

While I can shop around for a better electricity tariff, I am stuck with the tariff from the company supplying the hot water and heating. I feel this tariff grossly overcharges (it has a 32p per day standing charge that I incur even if I don't use my boiler) and how they reach their charges isn't explained in their billing. No one has ever come to my flat to check my meter.

Quite separately I pay a service charge to my housing association for maintenance on the building

Insite Energy itself is pretty amateurish and when I recently called to talk about my billing, they are unable to tell me in anymore detail how the charges are broken down beside the standing charge. I have other issues with the company (their billing periods are erratic and customer service atrocious) but that's not really a point for now.

My question is therefore, can I dispute these charges (the standing charge and how my bill is worked out) and how can I do this?

I did not enter into a contract with this company at any stage, I assume I gave presumed consent for the company to charge me for hot water and heating on purchasing the flat - it is, after all, built into my apartment. What are my rights if I decide not to pay?

Any help with this would be much appreciated.

Simon

Hi Simon. Have you any advice on how to deal with, or found anyone remotely competent at Insite Energy? I've been trying for a month to get a final bill out of them. It's like pulling teeth. They made everyone redundant a few months back and have decided to employ a gaggle of damp dishcloths with the combined intellect of a pre-dunked Rich Tea biscuit. :T