New Build - Fibre, District Heating & Part-Exchange

Ollie_D

Hi (again),

I look again for your experiences and advice.

We have been to look at a development today and the house is lovely, there's just a few nagging details (nothing is ever easy)

Firstly, I think this is a plus point, it's connected using Independent Fibre Networks, so no BT or Virgin but fibre to the house. Does anyone has experience of this? I think we can also use this to connect TV aerials and Sky.

Secondly, it doesn't have a boiler is has a Heat Interface Unit (HIU) and it's through E-On Heat. Again does anyone has any experience. Is it likely to be more expensive, do they provide the water as part of this and you only pay sewerage to the water company? Apologies for the silly questions, I couldn't find much info online about it.

And finally, the development is with Barratt Homes and they offer part exchange, where they offer an amount for you property with no commitment and it's all nice and easy, no worrying about a chain, selling, estate agents etc. Assuming the value is reasonable this sounds too easy. Anyone got any stories to share?

Thanks, as always all.

knightstyle

To deal with your last point, part exchanging can be good, DD did it, you get slightly less than market value but no agents fees. Do your research and set a realistic bottom line.
The HIU unit hopefully is one of the new systems which seem OK. Important to find out if it is a direct or indirect system, indirect seems better but first ask for more information and Google your system for reviews.
Finally as it is a new build make sure the house you are buying has all the things you think the sales person says without extra charges.

ComicGeek

You will be limited to who you can get services from with the Independent Fibre Networks, probably end up paying more than if you were with BT or a.n.other.

District heating and HIUs can work well, but again you need to understand that you won't be able to shop around for the best deal, you're stuck with EON. You need to get details of their admin fees and energy costs, as quite often the admin fees are a lot higher than the actual energy costs would have been for a more traditional boiler system. EON will also be building up reserves for replacing the central plant, repairing/replacing HIUs etc, so typically a lot higher running costs for the occupants. Check whether you're contracted to EON for just heat or for electricity as well, as some developments now have private wire networks as well.

The HIU will provide you with space heating, and will also heat the hot water - you'll still have a mains cold water supply to the house so you'll be paying for this + sewerage separately to the water company.

swishy87

We've just part exchanged with David Wilson and once the price was agreed it all went very smoothly - no worry about the chain collapsing etc.

Jon_B_2

We have broadband supplied through Independent Fibre Network by SeeTheLight. £27/month for unlimited 60meg down and 12meg up + evening and weekend calls. No problems at all.

Ollie_D

knightstyle wrote: »

The HIU unit hopefully is one of the new systems which seem OK. Important to find out if it is a direct or indirect system, indirect seems better but first ask for more information and Google your system for reviews.

Thanks, we will be going back and getting as much spec as we can.

Jon_B wrote: »

We have broadband supplied through Independent Fibre Network by SeeTheLight. £27/month for unlimited 60meg down and 12meg up + evening and weekend calls. No problems at all.

Do you happen to have Fibre Integrated Reception Service too?

Jon_B_2

Not sure if I'm honest.

Ollie_D

Jon_B wrote: »

We have broadband supplied through Independent Fibre Network by SeeTheLight. £27/month for unlimited 60meg down and 12meg up + evening and weekend calls. No problems at all.

Sorry to ask more questions, does your fibre enter your property in a box similar to and does it then connect to a router, if so what type of connection is it?
Thanks

Jon_B_2

Yes we have a box like that under the stairs and it connects to the router with an Ethernet cable. I have managed to squeeze the router into the box also to keep everything tidy.

lee111s

INFL are notorious for having capacity issues. You're also limited to only a couple of ISP's, so they have you by the balls.

Ollie_D

Jon_B wrote: »

Yes we have a box like that under the stairs and it connects to the router with an Ethernet cable. I have managed to squeeze the router into the box also to keep everything tidy.

That's useful to know thank. Good idea with the router.

Does the fibre enter the property anywhere else in the home? Do you have a regular TV aerial/Sat dish?