| (1) What is Communal Energy?
Answer:
Communal Energy is the environmentally responsible way for homeowners to reap the benefit of centrally generated, reliable and efficient heating, hot water and in some cases, electricity.
Due to its high efficiency and the fact that renewable energy sources can be integrated will reduce your home’s carbon footprint and your monthly expenditure. The renewable energy sources that would typically be used would be biomass boilers (using wood chips), solar heating and sometimes waste heat from power nearby generation and industry.
One of the goals of London’s Green Strategy is to achieve a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010
The graph below illustrates the difference in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) produced than with conventional utility supplies.
A plentiful supply of heating and hot water is delivered to your home via a simple interface that enables you to take as little or as much heating and hot water you require. Easy to operate controls mean that you can fully adjust the levels of comfort in your home.
To ensure that each household connected to the system only pays for the energy it uses, the supply is automatically metered for production of your monthly bill.
These communal schemes are also competitive when compared to traditional utility supplies. This is in part due to the bulk gas supplies for a communal heating scheme being purchased at commercial rates which are much lower than that of an individual householder.
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(2) What are the benefits of Communal Heating?
Answer:
(a) The Environment:
Being efficient, there is less fuel used and therefore less pollution.
(b) The Cost:
By grouping together with other consumers, better prices for the fuel required to run the system can be negotiated than that of an individual.
(c) Service
With a round the clock monitoring and maintenance programme, you have peace of mind that your energy supply will be available when you need it.
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(3) Why chose a Communal Heating Scheme
Answer: There are many reasons for you to choose a communal heating scheme; whether it be for the environmentally friendly credentials, high level of service, reliability, cost savings, or simply the fact that all of your energy supply is included in one easy to understand bill.
Energy prices have soared in recent years. With a centralised boiler, comes the ability to change fuel supplies in the future, which allows the system to switch to the most suitable fuel source, which also can mean better price stability.
Accurately metered supplies mean that you only get billed for the energy that you use and this is summarised on one easy to understand monthly bill.
It is widely accepted that climate change is happening, and by choosing a communal system you are making a contribution towards the global targets for the reduction of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
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(4) How does Communal Energy work?
Answer: From one central energy centre, natural gas or biomass fuel is used to generate the required heating and hot water. If combined heat and power (CHP) is installed, electricity is also generated and the waste heat produced is fed into the heating and hot water system, further reducing the fuel bills.
The energy is then distributed to your property, via easy to use metering and controls (see the diagram below).
With communal energy, you are buying “useful energy” (i.e. hot water) rather than “raw fuel” such as gas, which you would otherwise have to convert into heating with your own boiler. With centralised energy production we are able to optimise the efficiency of this conversion process far and above that of an individual system supplying one consumer.
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(5) Can I change my supplier?
Answer: You are connected to the communal scheme, so this would be difficult. However with the benefits of being connected to the communal system such as the lower costs, better service and more environmentally friendly credentials, you won’t want to!
The scheme provider will ensure that the cost of energy remains comparable to conventional utility supplies.
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(6) How often will you read the meter?
Answer: Switch2 read your meter remotely on a daily basis and this information is used to produce your bill. This automated system avoids the need for someone to visit your apartment.
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(7) What does my bill cover?
Answer: Your utility bill covers heating, electricity, hot water and a standing charge.
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(8) What is included in the standing charge?
Answer: The standing charge in your utility bill includes for:
• The operation and maintenance of the central plant and the energy distribution network.
• Maintenance of the consumer interface unit, metering and controls located in the consumers property, but excluding radiators, valves and pipework.
• Full guarantee.
• The Standing Charge for all incoming utilities, e.g. gas and water
• Billing and Administration of the system.
• Management and tendering for all required fuel to minimise the costs of running the system.
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(9) How often will I expect a bill?
Answer:
You will receive a utility bill every month.
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(10) When and how will you take my payment?
Answer: Payment is to be made by Variable Direct Debit on the 15th or 25th of every month. We have assumed this method of payment for all customers to allow the best possible tariff for your supply. However, other methods of payment are available, but these will normally attract an additional charge.
Due to the system being more efficient in winter months, the costs are monitored and averaged out over the year to ensure you can plan your household budget
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(11) What happens if my Direct Debit claim fails?
Answer:
We will write to you to inform you that there has been a problem collecting your Direct Debit. We will make one further attempt to collect the payment by Direct Debit which incurs a charge that will be added to your account. If the claim fails for a second time, we will ask you to pay by an alternative method.
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(12) Who do I contact if I have a query with the bill?
Answer:
Contact our billing department by phone on 0844 477 2010 or email on billing@switch2.com
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(13) If I do not live at the property, can the bill be sent direct to the tenant?
Answer:
Yes, just let us know who is in the property and when they move in and out.
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(14) How is my system maintained?
Answer: Switch2 has been appointed to manage and maintain the system around the clock. This Total Guarantee package gives peace of mind to consumers that their supplies will be maintained and equipment replaced if it fails at any time.
Regular inspections are carried out by Switch2’s team of engineers to ensure safe and reliable operation of the entire communal system.
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(15) Who do I contact if there is a problem with my heating, or water supply?
Answer: Switch2 are responsible for maintaining the meters and Consumer Interface Unit (CIU) in your property. All of the system inside your property downstream from the CIU such as pipework, radiators and valves in your property belong to you and is therefore your responsibility.
If you have no heat, or water then please contact Switch2 on telephone 0844 477 2010
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