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Is it really cheaper for me to have central heating on all day than a gas fire?

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hollyoaks777

Is it really cheaper for me to have central heating on than a gas fire? My fire is an open coal effect gas fire I can't find mine as it's 14year old. I just moved house last year and brought my Marble fireplace and gas fire with me. I also want to know if I get a new Boiler would my bills be cheaper. I don't know how old my boiler is as it's a council property and it was there when I moved in.

But plumber checked with his supplier and says he has been selling spare parts for it for 10 years. It's a SIME
code: 8104011
Model: Ecomfort plus 30 HE
GC No 47-283-14

I have an extra bedroom in my property and I am downstairs now but the radiator is at frost setting in back bedroom my gas bill is now £61 a month whereas I was only £39 at my old property and I used the central heating a lot more in my old property than this one. I have asked about my relations My sister is only £60 a month and is in a 4 bedroom house of her own up and downstairs 2 adults and 2 kids and she is only £60 a month, my cousin is in a 3 bedroom house up and downstairs and is only £46 a month for 2 adults and a kid. I am in a 2 bedroom 4 in a block house groundfloor with 2 bedrooms of which I don't use the radiator in the back bedroom and I am £61 a month and I am on my own I can't afford to heat the house the way I want to. And I am in debt to the supplier.

And concil have told me I am not getting a new boiler as it has spare parts for it. and it's burning at 29.52Kw and is only a 30Kw boiler. So they told me not to use my gas fire turn all radiators down to 2 apart from Living Room keep it at full. Would a new boiler make any difference
 
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I am in a 2 bedroom 4 in a block house groundfloor with 2 bedrooms of which I don't use the radiator in the back bedroom and I am £61 a month and I am on my own I can't afford to heat the house the way I want to. And I am in debt to the supplier.
This may be the main issue. Sounds like the gas supply company are taking a fair chunk of money for debt repayment
 
The OP is in debt because her heating bills are higher now than at her previuos property, and she didn't increase here direct debit.

My advice is: STOP LOOKING FOR THE SOLUTION YOURSELF, a new boiler may well not be the answer, as far as the Housing provider is concerned, they will consider your request as just noise.

You need social services to come round and assess your needs, if there are problems with your heating system / you can't afford it, then they can apply far more pressure on your housing provider than you can - they can actually enforce certain changes / enhancements, and may be able to help with the outstanidng amounts to the energy provider - in certain circumstances they can get it written off.
 
On a different note are you on a pre-payment meter.
If you are and owe the gas company money or potentially the previous tenant owed money to the gas supplier a percentage of each £ that you put on the meter will go off to paying that debt thus you might only be using a small amount of gas but paying back a heftier chunk of debt.
Also if I am barking up the wrong tree with the above comments gas usage is relative, if you have the temp right up then you will use more gas or if you have all the rads on low the boiler may be cycling which is inefficient.
Finally if you have moved in and brought your old marble fire surround and own gas fire, was the fire correctly fitted for you by a gas safe registered engineer and gas rated, etc.
Failing that the property may be poorly insulated/drafty which is causing a significant heat loss.
Hope this helps,
Allgoode
I just moved in last year I brought my marble fireplace and fire with me as I lost thousands of pounds by leaving my white high gloss kitchen I bought when I was working oh and by the way when I viewed the property I was then told by letter that is the day you moved in. you want to have seen it and I had to pay for the 2 properties! When I moved in it was prepayment metres and it was Scottish Power I they were with which I wouldn't advise anyone to go with. Took me months to get away from them said their systems were down etc. Told me Scottish Hydro hadn't sent them anything and they had sent them everything anyway it's a long story and over 13 hours on the phone to them.

But the people before me did oew them and everyone else thousands. I had to call up and tell all the companies they were dead as the sherrif officers were coming. But I got set to zero and because of my health conditions I got standard metres fitted for free. I often wonder if they set the meter up to get the money back.

Yes the fire was fitted correctly with corgi registered gas fitter. the chimney wasn't swept because of the time scale and I keep getting bits of coalcoming out the base of the fire I am looking at some now. And a wee hint to anyone don't touch with your bare hands. So the coals are damaged I take it. I have new windows and doors. And cavity wall insulation was already done when I moved in.
 
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The OP is in debt because her heating bills are higher now than at her previuos property, and she didn't increase here direct debit.

My advice is: STOP LOOKING FOR THE SOLUTION YOURSELF, a new boiler may well not be the answer, as far as the Housing provider is concerned, they will consider your request as just noise.

You need social services to come round and assess your needs, if there are problems with your heating system / you can't afford it, then they can apply far more pressure on your housing provider than you can - they can actually enforce certain changes / enhancements, and may be able to help with the outstanidng amounts to the energy provider - in certain circumstances they can get it written off.

I called occupational therapist today to see if they could help they said no. Who are social services as I haven't a clue about all this and it was just pure luck the lady asked me if I had any health problems when I called about new meters. And I got them for free be.cause of that
 
You need to talk to environmental health, citizens advice bureau and the gas Co itself.

You're asking us for a definitive answer to your problem but, other than a rough guess at best there's really not much we can do for you.

Having read this thread through a couple of times now I feel that things have been taken for granted by all parties, although in your case I will concede that you probably weren't to know.

But if it's affecting your health you really do need to contact environmental health.
 
You need to talk to environmental health, citizens advice bureau and the gas Co itself.

You're asking us for a definitive answer to your problem but, other than a rough guess at best there's really not much we can do for you.

Having read this thread through a couple of times now I feel that things have been taken for granted by all parties, although in your case I will concede that you probably weren't to know.

But if it's affecting your health you really do need to contact environmental health.

OK thank you I really appreciate all the input people have gave me I googled social services and I am calling them tomorrow. Thank you for letting me know that. I will Google environmental health just now as another contact to call if social services can't help me.
 
From the way you speak (type) i take it you are in Scotland.
Firstly, no one should move their gas supply direct debit from one property to another. You leave one property and settle up any difference then start again in the new one.
Thats the way it is
If they have just put you on a direct debit based on the previous tenant take meter readings and ring them or internet them with actual meter readings. Very easy with the Hydro.
Moving on
Step 2, go talk to citizens advice and explain your situation. They will liaise with any 3rd parties
Step 3, speak to social services (or ask cit advice to do so on your behalf)

We are only plumbers and you need more help than we can give you.
 
From the way you speak (type) i take it you are in Scotland.
Firstly, no one should move their gas supply direct debit from one property to another. You leave one property and settle up any difference then start again in the new one.
Thats the way it is
If they have just put you on a direct debit based on the previous tenant take meter readings and ring them or internet them with actual meter readings. Very easy with the Hydro.
Moving on
Step 2, go talk to citizens advice and explain your situation. They will liaise with any 3rd parties
Step 3, speak to social services (or ask cit advice to do so on your behalf)

We are only plumbers and you need more help than we can give you.

Yes I am Scottish mate. Does it really stand out in typing? That's amazing, anyway no it was me who told them what to take direct debit as I thought it would be about the same. And to my shock it's not. I had a plumber in saying it's of the highest efficiency. My boiler that is but that doesn't make sense for a boiler that he's been able to get spare parts for 10 years. Surely newer boilers are more efficient? Thanks again to everyone for your help and advice I wouldn't know what to do without you's! And I will never forget the help I have had off you's!
 
Listen carefully mate because it seems you don't want to accept the same answer you've been getting from several contributors which is that your boiler is fine despite it's age.

If you really want to know what is cheaper to run then use your fire (only) for a day and then do the same for the central heating making a note of the gas meter reading (units) at the start and end of the day(s) as long as both days are of similar temperature of course.


Read Tamz contribution again.
 
Listen carefully mate because it seems you don't want to accept the same answer you've been getting from several contributors which is that your boiler is fine despite it's age.

If you really want to know what is cheaper to run then use your fire (only) for a day and then do the same for the central heating making a note of the gas meter reading (units) at the start and end of the day(s) as long as both days are of similar temperature of course.


Read Tamz contribution again.

Not at all I do believe what I have been told I was just wondering if there were more efficient boilers. Fires not going on again be as well throwing money up the chimney. I am planning on doing a test with the heating on all day and see what it's using. Just want to be right about everything before I start making calls on Monday. And I am glad of all the input.
 
Your boiler is not your problem. You need help with other underlying factors in your property
 
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Your boiler is not your problem. You need help with other underlying factors in your property

Yes I know that but I can't seem to figure it out. It's got cavity wall insulation, new windows and doors. Is it as simple as radiators as these are at least 25 years old.
 
It's a larger property isn't it ???

Yes but not massively and the plumber I had in is in a 3 bedroom up and downstairs and bigger than my house £46 a month. My sister is in an even bigger house than that with 4 bedrooms 2 toilets etc. Bath every day for the youngest shower for the other 3 2 adults 2 kids £60 a month. So it can't be that or can it?
 
I have replied several times to this person even give them a rough breakdown on what they will save & how long it will take to recoup the cost of replacing the boiler, But they seem determined to spend out on replacing a boiler thinking its going to save them money on gas in a property that's not even there's, Told them the heating is-not there problem but don't want to listen, So if it makes you feel happy go ahead and spend your money on a new boiler, I'm sure the council would like all there tenants to do the same, it would save them a fortune
 
I have replied several times to this person even give them a rough breakdown on what they will save & how long it will take to recoup the cost of replacing the boiler, But they seem determined to spend out on replacing a boiler thinking its going to save them money on gas in a property that's not even there's, Told them the heating is-not there problem but don't want to listen, So if it makes you feel happy go ahead and spend your money on a new boiler, I'm sure the council would like all there tenants to do the same, it would save them a fortune

You have me wrong I like to be double sure before I start a fight. And it is a fight. That's all and I am more than sure now sorry if you feel unvalued but you are well and truly valued my friend.
 
You have me wrong I like to be double sure before I start a fight. And it is a fight. That's all and I am more than sure now sorry if you feel unvalued but you are well and truly valued my friend.

A fight for what? A new boiler free of charge when there's nothing wrong with yours? I don't really understand the point of this.
 
I maintain the problem is in your house and is not the boiler To be honest I would go back to what Tamz said and actually get some people in to assess your property for its heat and energy efficiency.
 
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A fight for what? A new boiler free of charge when there's nothing wrong with yours? I don't really understand the point of this.
A fight for anything off them no not a boiler, but plumber did say that these type of systems were fitted when the back boiler was behind the fire. And are at least 25 years old even the energy company is bamboozled with the amount of units I used over the year and want £140 to test the meter. As they think the meter maybe at fault.
 
I maintain the problem is in your house and is not the boiler To be honest I would go back to what time is sai to be honest I would go back to what Tamz said and actually get some people in to assess your property for its heat and energy efficiency.
How do I get people into access it. What organisation?
 
I am downstairs now

I've just had a re-read for any clues...although your old flat was smaller was it on a first or second floor above and below other flats whereas now you're on the ground? It can make quite a difference in overall temperature and amount of heat required.

For a proper analysis you need to examine exactly how many units you are using and at what rate. Are you paying a different tariff for your gas because you are in debt? Besides the fact that your new flat is larger do you have any old bills from the old place to make a proper comparision and have you asked your immediate neighbour what they pay because if it's a relatively new gas meter chances are it is okay.
 
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Are you housing association or through the council I don't understand how it works in Scotland im afraid that would be my first port of call tell them you have a problem although I just don't understand what you expect them to do. I realise there is a difference in cost to you but I have to say it's not 100% clear exactly what you are trying to achieve now
 
A fight for anything off them no not a boiler, but plumber did say that these type of systems were fitted when the back boiler was behind the fire. And are at least 25 years old even the energy company is bamboozled with the amount of units I used over the year and want £140 to test the meter. As they think the meter maybe at fault.
Also if the meter is up the swanny then they surely can't charge you for that as that's their property
 
I've just had a re-read for any clues...although your old flat was smaller was it on a first or second floor above and below other flats whereas now you're on the ground? It can make quite a difference in overall temperature and amount of heat required.
It was second floor mate, I know what you are getting at but that doesn't account for my sisters mum's and cousins being up and downstairs and you know what woman are like with their heating. If I had a mrs with me could you imagine the bills!!
 
Also if the meter is up the swanny then they surely can't charge you for that as that's their property
No I haven't to pay for the test but I don't think they will say it will be wrong they said it's took away to a site stripped apart and not usable again. Doubt they will give me credit for the bills I have been paying. That was never mentioned.
 
No I haven't to pay for the test but I don't think they will say it will be wrong they said it's took away to a site stripped apart and not usable again. Doubt they will give me credit for the bills I have been paying. That was never mentioned.

You said they want £140 to test the meter?
 
It was second floor mate, I know what you are getting at but that doesn't account for my sisters mum's and cousins being up and downstairs and you know what woman are like with their heating. If I had a mrs with me could you imagine the bills!!


Is your sister on the same tariff cos there's no point comparing what you pay to her if you're not and a first or second floor flat is generally warmer than one on the ground floor for obvious reasons.
 
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Haven't read all the posts but you've already got a condensing boiler, upgrading that wouldn't make much difference.

Older radiators contain a lot if water which needs more energy to heat up - this could be your issue.

Modern, efficient radiators hold a low water content making them heat up quicker and more efficient.

Plus there are other differences between your old and new property, insulation, Windows etc.

And then there is the tariff that your on from you gas supplier, is it the same one as before or have you just been on a standard one.
 
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