Communal heating

Chrisw030290

Hello I moved into a place which has communal heating 

I notice it’s using a lot of electric around 2kwhz a hour. I just don’t understand as I pay a heating and hot water charge for my place 

I noticed the water heater I turned it off and the meter slowed down 

how do this system work do I need the hot water tank on all day as I have two switches one says 

hot water / heating 
the other says hot water tank

whqy one do I use 

diystarter7

Hi OP
What des the lease state re communal heating?

Chrisw030290

It’s says hot water and heating 

Chrisw030290

But we have two switches on the wall one says 

water heater the other says Hot water/heating 

I’ve turned off the water heater and the electric meter has slowed down a lot 

MikeJXE

Sounds like water heater might be an immersion heater, do you have a hot water system/tank ? 

Chrisw030290

Yes but shouldn’t the hot water come from the boilers same as the heating 

MikeJXE

Yes but the 2 switches give you a choice for whatever reason, to get hot water on communal I doubt it's coming from a combi boiler so, if the hot water source is low or in constant use you might be able to m heat your own by immersion heater thats why I asked if you had a tank

Chrisw030290

Yes I have a tank on the heating control it has two buttons 

heating and HW 

than we have a switch for water meter 

diystarter7

This is the bottom line as we do not know the set-up/agreement in your block. All agreements/setups vary and you need to look at your lease/agreement to see what you get for the money you pay and what is charged for the heating/lighting/management of comm areas.

MikeJXE

Does the tank have an electrical feed to it, if yes that could be an immersion heater. If you have switched that off it will go cold 

Chrisw030290

It says on tennacy Heating charge but we were told on viewing it includes hot water I spoke to a neighbour and they said the hot water comes from the roof