Gas, Electricity, Water in Edinburgh

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Utilities are usually already established in a residence, you just need to set-up an account. You will need to inform the provider of the date that you are moving in, change the name on the account, and establish that you account is separate from the previous occupant.

If you are moving from somewhere else in the UK you may just need to transfer your account, but if moving from somewhere outside of the UK, you will need to establish an account.

In many rental situation, services will be bundled and a collective bill will be issued once a month. These costs may be incorporated into the price of rent in some places.

Connection

To find your meter serial number and find what service is currently established, you can use Ecoe. Here they can tell by your postcode and property number the current account. If you stay with the company who currently supplies utilities, set-up is very quick. If you want to change service, it may take up to 8 weeks.

Utilities companies should be informed at least 48 hours in advance to moving to a new residence. Before moving in, you should register with the company in your area. On the moving day, you usually would read the meters on the property so the correct bills can be issued.

If you are registering a new account, you may need to go into the office an fill out a service application. A meter deposit and photo identification are usually required. In a new residence or if you have purchased a place, you may need to establish the system. call your preferred provider as soon as possible and a technician will be sent to set-up the utilities.

Payment

Payments can be made by automatic draft, mail debit or credit card. Cash payments can also be made by visiting the utility office. Late payments are assessed a penalty. Non-payment of fees results in haltage of service.

Gas

A credit meter is usually supplied and regular bills are sent to the customer following meter readings. For new customers, the company may ask for some form of security in the form of a cash deposit, a guarantor or a direct debit arrangement.

Providers

Utilities are privatized and there are several companies to choose from.

British Gas
As the nation's leading energy supplier providing gas, electricity and home repair services to millions of customers in Scotland, Wales and England.

Ofgem
The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is the regulator for Britain's gas and electricity industries. Its role is to promote choice and value for all customers.

Rates

Annually, most 2-bedroom households use about 924 GBP of electricity.
This depends on if gas or electric is primarily used for heating and cooking, size of the house, and people's habits.

Electricity

A credit meter is usually supplied and regular bills are sent to the customer following meter readings. For new customers, the company may ask for some form of security in the form of a cash deposit, a guarantor or a direct debit arrangement.

Electrical voltage in the UK is 240 v AC, 50HZ. The 3-pronged plug type is use. Light fittings are bayonet and screw types.

Providers

Utilities are privatized and there are several companies to choose from.

EDF Energy
EDF Energy is one of the largest UK home and business energy suppliers. We supply gas and electricity at competitive prices.

Ofgem
The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is the regulator for Britain's gas and electricity industries. Its role is to promote choice and value for all customers.

Scottish Power
Supplying energy to millions of business and domestic customers across the UK.

British Energy
The UK’s largest producer of electricity, producing around one-sixth of the nation's electricity.

Rates

Annually, most 2-bedroom households use about 924 GBP of electricity. A flat should run at about 540 GBP per year.
This depends on if gas or electric is primarily used for heating and cooking, size of the house, and people's habits.

Water

Water utilities are commonly included in the rent of a property. This means that renters are not usually responsible for setting up or maintaining service, or paying a monthly bill.

Each person uses around 150 litres of tap water and creates around 140 litres of waste water every day.

Provider

Scotland has only one water authority.

Scottish Water

Rates

Scotland has lower average household charges than England and Wales. If not included in rent, water bills for a 2-bedroom home usually cost about 450 GBP per year. A flat should require about 260 GBP of water a year.
This depends on if gas or electric is primarily used for heating and cooking, size of the house, and people's habits.

Update 8/04/2011


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