Energy & water

Check what you have agreed with your landlord to see if water is included. It is normal for the tenant to pay.

Water to homes in Britain comes from your local water company. You will need to contact them when you move into your new home to set up an account. You can find out which company supplies your home on the Water UK website.

If there is a water meter, you will need to take a meter reading on the day you move in. If you don’t, you might have to pay a debt from the previous residents.

You pay to have the water come to your home, and also to be taken away (‘sewerage’ or ‘wastewater’). Sometimes the supply company is different to the sewerage company.

In rural areas, some homes have their own private water supply.

No, at the moment you cannot change your water supplier or sewerage supplier.

• You can find which company supplies your home on the Water UK website.

People with disabilities, long-term illness or very young children can apply for extra help from the water company. This means you could get help taking meter readings or have your bills in non-written formats. You will also have a priority service if there is a problem with your water supply.

Contact your water company for details about priority services.

Some homes pay a set amount for water. Other homes have a water meter so you only pay for what you use. The water meter is usually:

• by the main stop tap in your home (see next question), or
• outside the front door, or
• in the pavement by your house.

There are two types of water meter: analogue and digital. For analogue meters, just give the black numbers. For digital water meters, give the top line of numbers.

Contact your water company if you need help, can’t find your water meter, or can’t access it safely.

The stop tap (also called a ‘stop cock’ or ‘stop valve’) switches the water supply to your home on and off. It is usually under the kitchen sink, under the stairs or in a utility room. It might also be in the garage or bathroom.

Yes, people drink tap water all the time without any problems. You do not need to boil it first, although some people prefer to do this.

The cold tap in a kitchen always gives you water direct from the main water pipe under the street.

It is best not to drink water from cold taps in bathrooms or from any hot taps because the water might have come from a storage tank. If you are seriously ill or are feeding a small baby, it is best to use boiled or bottled water.

Yes, about fluoride is added to tap water in some places to help prevent tooth decay. About 6 million people live in areas with water fluoridation (these are mostly in central and northern parts of England).

If you want to know if fluoride is added in your area, go to your water supplier website.

All tap water has some level of natural fluoride and other minerals, but the level of fluoride is usually very low. Some areas of the country (for example central and north-east England) have naturally-occuring fluoride in the water at a similar level to added fluoride (about 1mg/litre).

• You can find which company supplies your home on the Water UK website.

In most of south, east and central Britain the water is ‘hard’ – it naturally contains calcium and other minerals. The minerals are not harmful to health, but they do cause some problems:

• soap and detergent doesn’t work so well, so you need more
• you get white marks on glass
• you get a white layer (limescale) in kettles, on showerheads and around taps
• limescale can build up in washing machines, dishwashers and hot water tanks and stop them working so well
• you get brown stains in toilets

To remove limescale, you need a product called ‘descaler’.

You can buy ‘water softeners’ (gadgets that reduce the mineral content of your water), but these need to be fitted by a plumber.

Soft water is water without many dissolved minerals. There is soft water in Wales, Cornwall and the area north of Leeds.

Many old homes have a tank of cold water in the roof that supplies the bathroom and boiler with water. Water from the boiler goes to a hot water tank. Years ago, the main water pressure could change at different times of the day so it was useful to store water.

Water in hot tanks must be kept at 60°C to stop Legionnaires disease.

You should make sure the cold water tank is covered and clean. It is best not to drink water from it (for example in the bathroom) unless you know your tank is clean.

Water from a hot water tank might have dangerous bacteria growing in it. If the hot water mixed with cold water from the main public water supply, there is a risk the bacteria could spread to other houses. This was a problem in the old days.

Modern rules make this unlikely to happen now, but many homes still have separate hot and cold taps. This is partly because people like the traditional look and partly because it can be difficult to buy traditional-style basins or baths with only 1 tap hole.

Having only a choice of hot or cold can be annoying (especially if the hot water is very hot), but you get used to it!

Only bodily waste and toilet tissue should be flushed down toilets. Other items can block the system or can end up on beaches.

Items that should never be flushed include cotton wool, cigarette ends, wipes (even ‘flushable’ wipes), oil and fat, sanitary towels, nappies, medication, plasters or condoms.

Be aware that some places are not connected to the public sewer systems. Instead they have use a septic tank (sewage storage tank). Anything other than bodily waste or tissue will cause very expensive problems.

The WaterSafe website has a list of approved plumbers that you can search by postcode. These plumbers are fully qualified and insured. Their business will also be regularly checked.

There is a lot of information about basic repairs on the WaterSafe website.

Be aware that old houses often have baths and pipes in Imperial sizes (inches), but most items on sale are in in Metric sizes (cm). If you are replacing taps or baths, make sure you choose the right size.

Many parts of Britain have relatively low rainfall, but high water use because there are so many people. To help save water, sometimes there is a hosepipe ban. The local water company will tell you if there is a ban and it will also be reported in the media.

During a hosepipe ban, it is forbidden to do anything that needs water from a hose (for example, washing cars, filling swimming pools, or watering a garden). This is because using a hose for an hour uses the same amount of water as 4 people would normally use in a day. Using a sprinkler overnight uses the same amount 4 people would use in a week!

If you use a hose you might have to pay a fine of £1,000.

Most homes in Britain have central heating (where heat is made in one place, then sent around the home). It is unusual to have lots of separate heaters or fires.

There are different types of central heating:

• Boilers and radiators: This is the most common type. Gas (or oil/LPG/wood) heats water in a central boiler, then hot water goes through pipes to radiators in each room. The boiler will also heat hot water for washing. This water is kept in a large tank, usually in a cupboard.
• Combi boiler and radiators: The central gas boiler is small and provides hot water only when needed. There is no hot water storage tank. More common in smaller homes. It is sometimes called a ‘gas instant’ heater.
• Night storage heaters: Off-peak electricity (Economy 7) heats bricks in radiators on the walls of each room. The heat is gradually released the next day. It is very important these radiators are not covered by clothes because they will overheat and could be dangerous. Water for washing is held in a tank and heated by an immersion heater.
• District heating: Some places, like Nottingham, are heated by hot water that is piped into the home. There is no central boiler in the home. Some blocks of flats are similar because there is a boiler that provides heat for the whole block.
• Hot air heating: Air is heated by a central boiler and sent round the home. It comes into rooms via special air vents.
• Range cooker heating: some range cookers are not only used to cook food, they also provide hot water and central heating (common brands are Aga and Rayburn).

Yes, boilers can be dangerous if they are not looked after.

• Make sure there is a carbon monoxide detector near the boiler. It should have an alarm you can hear
• Check that the boiler has a small flame. If it starts to go out or there are black marks around it, call an engineer.
• Get the boiler serviced every year. If you are in a rented property, your landlord should arrange this.
• You should also bleed your radiators each year (see Youtube for tutorials).

You can find engineers here:

• For gas boilers, you need someone Gas Safe registered. The Gas Safe website can help.
• For oil boilers and storage tanks, you need someone OFTEC registered. The OFTEC website can help.
• For biomass (wood burning) boilers you need a HETAS-registered engineer. Read more on the HETAS website.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas with no smell. It comes when fuel has not burnt properly, so it is a risk anywhere with a flame (for example, boilers, cookers and fires). About 50 people die in their homes each year because of carbon monoxide poisoning. In severe cases, you can collapse very quickly.

Mild symptoms are a bit like flu:

• Headaches
• Feel sick
• Feel dizzy
• Difficult to breathe

If a group of you become ill at the same time or if you only feel ill at home, there is a high chance it is carbon monoxide poisoning. If you suspect you have carbon monoxide poisoning, open all windows immediately. Turn off all gas or oil appliances. See a doctor immediately or go to hospital.

To stay safe, buy a carbon monoxide detector with an alarm and put it in every room with a fire, cooker or heater.

• Read more on the Gas Safe website.

If you have a ‘wet’ central heating system (with radiators full of water), it is common for there to be some strange noises, like knocking, clicking or banging.

Sometimes this is because of the metal expanding as it gets hot. Other times, it is because there is some air in the radiators. This will not only cause some strange noises, it will also stop your radiators warming up. Feel your radiator when the heating is on – is it cold at the top, but hot at the bottom? This means air is trapped inside.

To fix it, you will need to ‘bleed’ the radiator using a special radiator key (you can buy them cheaply from hardware stores). You will also need an old cloth.

There are many videos on YouTube that show how to bleed the air from a radiator. It only takes a few minutes.

Usually, you need to bleed the radiators once a year. If you need to do it more often, there might be a leak somewhere – ask a plumber to check it out.

Check what you have agreed with your landlord to see if electricity is included. It is normal for the tenant to pay.

You need to find the electricity meter on the day you move into your new home. Write down the number on it (see how to take electricity meter reading).

Once you know the electricity supplier, you must contact them with the meter reading and give them your details. If you don’t tell them you are the new account holder, you might have to pay a debt from the previous residents.

• If you don’t know which company supplies the electricity, the Uswitch website can help. There are different phone numbers to call, depending on where you live.
• You can find estimates of the energy costs of electrical appliances on the GoCompare website.

Yes, you can change your electricity supplier even if you have a pre-payment meter. You can choose between many different suppliers. Some are cheaper than others, some are better for the environment. It is your choice.

• The Citizens Advice Energy Compare website can help you choose the best energy supplier.

People with disabilities, long-term illness or very young children can apply for extra help from their electricity supplier. This means you could get help taking meter readings or have your bills in non-written formats. You will also have a priority service if there is a problem with your supply.

Contact your electricity company for details about priority services.

If you don’t have a smart meter and the electricity company doesn’t have a recent meter reading, your bill will show ‘estimated’ amounts. This is where they have guessed how much electricity you have used. These estimates are often too high or too low. You can get a new bill by taking a meter reading and then contacting your supplier.

Electricity meters are usually in a cupboard or hallway. They measure in kWh. There are different types of electricity meter.

• The Citizens Advice website has more information about how to read your meter.

You don’t have to let them in at that time. However, energy companies are allowed to come every couple of years to check your meter is working and to take a meter reading. Check the identification of the person and call your energy company first if you are worried.

You can also ask your supplier to add a password to your account. Anyone coming to your house will have to use the password.

Economy 7 is a system where you get much cheaper electricity at night, but pay more during the day. It is designed for houses where over 40% of the electricity is used after 00.00 (for example, if you have night storage heaters).

To see if you have Economy 7, look on your electricity bill for the MPAN (Meter Point Access Number). If it starts with ‘02’ you are paying for Economy 7.

If you don’t want Economy 7, contact your electricity supplier. You can also ask to have it if you think it would save you money. Read more on the USwitch website.

Smart meters measure your electricity use and send regular updates to your supplier via the mobile phone network. The information is sent to a small electric display, called an IHD (in-home display), that clearly shows your electricity use. This helps you to save energy.

Unlike standard meters, you don’t have to send meter readings to your supplier or have someone come to take the meter reading.

It is free to have a smart meter fitted, but you don’t have to have one if you don’t want it (ask the landlord if you are in a rented property).

With a pre-payment meter, you pay for the electricity before you use it, instead of paying a bill. You can pay via an app or by using a smartcard or key that you take to a Post Office or some local shops (look for signs saying PayPoint or PayZone).

Prepayment meters are also called pay-as-you-go meters or top-up meters.

You are allowed to change the plugs on your electrical items. Other electrical work in the home must be done by a registered electrician.

• The Electrical Safety First website has lots of information about the safe use of electricity, how to prevent fires and advice for tenants.

Domestic electrical wiring colours have changed over the years. Since 2004, it has been the same as mainland Europe:

• blue is neutral
• brown is live
• green/yellow is earth

Some older properties and and appliances might have different coloured wires. This older wiring should be tested to check it is still safe.

• Wires installed before 2004 are black, red and yellow/green.
• Wires installed before 1977 are black, red and green.

If you find wires covered in fabric, black rubber or lead, the wiring is over 60 years old and should be replaced immediately.

An IP rating is a code that shows how much protection an electric light has from dust and water. For example, lights in kitchens and bathrooms must have the right IP code to make sure they are safe. The code depends on how near the water is to the light.

The Electrical Safety First website has a list of registered electricians. These people work to government safety standards and have the right insurance.

Check what you have agreed with your landlord to see if gas is included. It is normal for the tenant to pay. In areas that are not connected to the national gas network, the home might use an alternative such as oil or LPG.

Appliances that burn fuel can be dangerous, so make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors fitted in rooms with fuel appliances.

• You can find estimates of the energy costs of gas appliances on the GoCompare website.

Not all homes have a gas supply. If yours does, you need to find the gas meter on the day you move in. Write down the number on it (see how to take gas meter reading).

Once you know the gas supplier, you must contact them with the meter reading and give them your details. If you don’t tell them you are the new account holder, you might have to pay a debt from the previous residents.

MORE INFORMATION: If you do not know which company supplies the gas, ring the Meter Number Helpline on 0870 608 1524. Calls cost at least 7p per minute. You will need a pen and paper. You will be asked to say the postcode and first line of your address.

Yes, even if you have a pre-payment meter. You can choose between many different suppliers.

People with disabilities, long-term illness or very young children can apply for extra help from their gas supplier.

This means you could get help taking meter readings or have your bills in non-written formats. You will also have a priority service if there is a problem with your gas supply.

Contact your gas supplier for details about priority services.

• The Citizens Advice Energy Compare website can help you choose.

Usually you will find your gas meter in a cupboard, outside on a wall, or in a hallway. Gas meters measure in ‘cubic feet’. There are different types of gas meter.

Many gas meters are outside the house, in a white box on the wall. You need a special plastic key to open the box.

• The Citizens Advice website has more information about how to read your meter.

If you don’t have a smart meter and the gas company doesn’t have a recent meter reading, your bill will show ‘estimated’ amounts. This is where they have guessed how much gas you have used. These estimates are often too high or too low. You can get a new bill by taking a meter reading and then contacting your supplier.

Smart meters measure your gas use and send regular updates to your supplier via the mobile phone network. The information is sent to a small electric display, called an IHD (in-home display), that clearly shows your gas use. This helps you to save energy.

Unlike standard meters, you don’t have to send meter readings to your supplier or have someone come to take the meter reading.

It is free to have a smart meter fitted, but you don’t have to have one if you don’t want it (ask the landlord if you are in a rented property).

With a pre-payment meter, you pay for the gas before you use it, instead of paying a bill. You can pay via an app or by using a smartcard or key that you take to a Post Office or some local shops (look for signs saying PayPoint or PayZone).

Prepayment meters are also called pay-as-you-go meters or top-up meters.

You don’t have to let them in at that time. However, energy companies are allowed to come every couple of years to check your meter is working and to take a meter reading. Check the identification of the person and call your energy company first if you are worried.

You can also ask your supplier to add a password to your account. Anyone coming to your house will have to use the password.

Every year, there are houses that explode because of a gas leak, so leaking gas is very serious.

• Don’t touch anything electrical (including light switches).
• Open all the windows.
• Turn of the gas at the gas meter.
• Call the emergency gas telephone number: 0800 111 999.

For safety, you might want to leave the property and tell your neighbours too.

You are only allowed to do very simple tasks to gas appliances, for example changing a cooker control knob.

Because of the risk of explosion, it is forbidden to disturb the gas pipework or do anything that can affect the flow of gas. For these repairs, you must contact a Gas Safe registered engineer.

You can find a list of gas and LPG engineers near you on the UK Gas Safe Register website. Engineers on this register must pass regular exams. The exams vary, so check the engineer is qualified to do the gas job you need.

Off-grid means you are not connected to the national gas networks and/or electricity network (called the National Grid).

If you home is heated using oil (called heating oil), there will have a storage tank somewhere on the property. This might be underground. You will need to arrange for oil to be transported to you.

There are two types of heating oil: kerosene and gas oil. Check your heating system to see which type you need. Be aware that the price can change a lot over the year, with demand and oil price. It is usually more expensive in the winter.

• The Which? website gives more information about heating oil.

Because heating oil is flammable, it is dangerous to try to repair oil tanks or oil pipes yourself.

Leaking heating oil can cause serious environmental pollution. The problem must be fixed immediately or you might have to pay a large fine. It is a good idea to buy an oil spill kit to keep in the house in case of an oil leak.

If you have any problems, call your oil supply company for advice.

You can also contact an OFTEC-registered engineer. Engineers on this register are trained and regularly inspected. See the OFTEC website for a list.

In rural areas, some homes have central heating that uses LPG. There will be a storage tank somewhere on the property (it might be underground). You will need to arrange for bulk LPG gas to be transported to you.

• You can search for suppliers on the Liquid Gas UK website.

Some homes, especially static caravans and mobile homes, use bottled gas for heating. Check which type of gas you need (propane or butane). You can have replacement bottles delivered to you. Note that if you live on an area of similar homes, the estate owner might already have a contract with one supplier.

Often this type of gas is available to buy in petrol stations, or search online for a supplier.

If your home has a fireplace and you have checked to make sure the chimney is safe and clean, an open fire is allowed. However, in many places there are rules about what you are allowed to burn.

Look for ‘smokeless’ fuels if you are not sure. You can buy smokeless fuel from most petrol stations.

Wood is not usually allowed, except in small towns and villages. Wood should be labelled ‘ready to burn’ or have been left to dry for at least 2 years.

If you have a wood-burning stove, there are different rules. In many towns and cities, stoves must meet special requirements to make sure they don’t produce too much smoke.

You might have be fined £1,000 if you break the rules.

The main government website has details about the rules in your area.

Chimneys should be swept at least once a year. This helps keep the smoke clean and reduces the risk of a chimney fire.

Most chimney sweeps are members of a guild (a group of experts in a trade). The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps website can help you find a qualified chimney sweep in your area.