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tenancy handbook section 12
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Looking After Your Home – Handy Hints And TipsThis section tells you about:
• Howtosaveonfuelandheatingcosts.
• Preventingcondensation.
• Electricity.
• Water.
• Gas.
• Heatingandhotwater.
• Smokedetectors.
• Fixings.
• Sanitaryware.
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How To Save On Fuel And Heating Costs
Heating
• Unlessyouhavebeenadvisedotherwise,switchoffwhennotinuseorsettheprogrammetocomeononlywhenneeded.
• Useextraclothingratherthanturnuptheheating.
• Keepdoorsclosedandturnyourthermostatdown–evenasmallchangewillsavefuelandcost.
Lighting
• Useenergysavingbulbs
• Turnofflightsinunoccupiedorbrightrooms.
• Cleanthefittingsregularlytogivemorelight.
Electrical and Electronic Equipment
• Usesaverplugsforfridgesandfreezers.
• Don’toverfillkettles–onlyheatthewateryouneed.
• Don’tleaveTV’sandvideosonstandby–switchthemoff.
• Fittimers.
Water
• Reduceusageasmuchaspossible.
• Useashower,ratherthanabath.
• Installawatermeter.
• Don’tusehosepipesorsprinklers.
• Usebucketsofwaterwhenwashingcars.
• Usewateringcansforgardens.
• Don’tletthetaprunwhenbrushingyourteeth.
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Preventing CondensationCondensationiscausedbysteamorwatervapourturningintowateroncoldsurfaces.Itcandamageclothes,bedding,floorcoverings,decorationsandthehomeitself,ifmouldgrowthtakesholdonwallsandceilings.
Homesthatareheatedandventilatedintermittentlyaremorelikelytosuffercondensationproblemsthanthosewhicharecontinuallyoccupied.
Ordinarydailyactivitiesproducealotofmoisture.
Tohelpdealwithcondensationyoushouldtakethefollowingsteps:
• Coverpanswhencookinganddonotleavekettlesboiling.
• Donotdryclothesonradiatorsoronclothesdryers.
• Ifyouinstallatumbledrier,ensurethatitiseitheracondensertypeorisdirectlyventilatedtotheoutsideair.
• Unlessyouhavebeenadvisedotherwise,keepyourhomewellventilated.Keepwindowsopenwheneverpossible.
• Avoidputtinglargeitemsoffurnitureagainstexternalwalls.
• Donotuseparaffinorbottledgasheaters.
• Neverblocktheventsinwallsorwindows.
• Keepyourhomewarmincoldweather.
• Mostmoistureisproducedbycookingandbathing–keepyourkitchenandbathroomdoorsclosedtominimisethespreadofmoisture.
• Alwaysensurethatanyextractorfansareworkingproperlyandkeepallventsandgrillscleanandnotcovered.
Do’s and don’ts
4Do ventilateyourhomeproperly.
4Dodryyourclothesoutside.
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4Do closethedoorwhencookingorbathingtorestrictmoisture,butventilatebyopeningawindowwhilstcookingandafterbathingunlessyouhavebeenadvisedotherwise.
6Do not useyourroofspaceforstorage.
4Dowipedownkitchenandbathroomsurfacesafterusetoremovesurpluswateretc.
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ElectricityInmostpropertiestheelectricitymeterislocatedinanexternalmetercupboardatthefrontoftheproperty.Youwillhavebeenprovidedwithakeyforthecupboard.Ifyouarenotsurewhereyourmeteris,pleaseaskus.
Themeterandthecableleadingtoitbelongtotheelectricityproviderandmustnotbetamperedwithinanyway.
Yourelectricitysupplycanbeturnedoffattheconsumerunit,whichisusuallylocatedinthehall.Ifyouarenotsurewhereyourconsumerunitislocated,pleaseaskus.
For your safety
Always unpluganyappliancebeforeworkingonit.
Alwaysensurethatappliancesarefittedwiththecorrectfusesasrecommendedbythemanufacturer.
Alwaysfollowthemanufacturer’sinstructionsforwiringappliances.
Neveruseaportableelectricfireoranelectrichairdryeroranyotherportableelectricapplianceinthebathroom.
Neverattempttorepair,alterorextendelectricalinstallations.
Keepatorchhandyforemergencies.
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Circuit Breakers
Yourhomewillhaveaconsumerunit(previouslyknownasthe‘fuseboard’)whichcontrolsthepowerinyourhome.Thisisfittedwithcircuitbreakers.Ifyoustillhaveonewhichusesfusewireorcartridges,pleasecontactus.Circuitbreakersareswitcheswhichautomaticallyswitchoffwhenafusewouldhaveblown.Thesebreakersareeasytore-setbyflickingtheswitchbacktothe‘on’position.Don’tforgettounplugtheappliancethatyouthinkcausedthefaultfirst.
Circuitbreakersaregenerallymoresensitivethanfusesandmaytripoutwhenalightbulbfailsorifyouareusinganappliancewithanelectricalfaultorfaultyplug.
Plugs
Thesocketsinyourhometakesquarepinplugs.Eachplugwillhaveafuseinsideit.Alwaysmakesurethatyouhavethecorrecttypeoffuseforeachelectricalappliance.
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Simple Fault Finding
Power Sockets
Ifapowerpointisnotworking,checkthecircuitbreakerandresetifnecessary.
Ifittripsagain,unplugtheappliance,resetagainandtryadifferentsocket.
Ifthisalsotrips,itistheappliancethatisfaultyandyoushouldcontactaqualifiedelectrician.
Ifitisthewiringthatisatfault,contactus.
Lighting
Ifanareaoflightisnotworking,e.g.livingroom,checkthecircuitbreakersandresetifnecessary.
Ifaparticularlightisnotworking,checkwhetherthebulbhasblownandreplaceifnecessary.
Ifyourhomehasafluorescentlight,checkthetubeaswell,asthestartermayhaveblown.(Ifthelightflickersbutwillnotstartitisprobablythestarterthatneedsreplacing).
Don’t forget, if you have an emergency relating to your electricity supply, please contact us immediately on 029 2025 9100.
Remember that electricity can kill.
Do notattempttodoanyworkonanelectricalcircuitorappliance,unlessyouaresuitablyqualified.
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Water
Stop Tap
Yourwatersupplycanbeturnedoffatthestopcock.Thisisusuallyinthesinkunit.Inolderhousesitmaybesituatednearthefrontdoor.Ifyoudon’tknowwhereitis,youshouldfindoutnow.
Washing Machine Connections
Youwillalsofindtheconnectionsforawashingmachinelocatedwithinthekitchensinkunit.
Werecommendthatyouemployaqualifiedengineertorepairorinstallyourwashingmachine.
Dealing with Leaks
Minor Leaks
Minorleaks,suchasadrippingtaporradiatorvalve,canusuallybedealtwithwithoutisolatingthewholeofthewatersystem,butagainitisimportantthatyoucontactusimmediately.
Major Leaks
Intheeventofamajorleakonanyofthewaterservices,thestopcockshouldbeturnedoffandyoushouldcontactusimmediately.
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Water Emergency Number
Outsideofficehours0800 052 0130
Tips To Remember During The Winter Period
If youintendtoleaveyourhouseformorethanadayortwointhewinter,youshouldleaveyourheatingsetonalowleveltoavoidfreezing.
Ifthereisariskthatpipesarefrozen,donotrunthehotwatertapsasthiswillemptythehotwatercylinder,whichcouldthencollapse.
Do notallowtapstodrip,asadrippingtapmaystainthebathorbasinandcouldresultinfrozenwastepipesinwinter.
Remembertodisconnectyouroutsidetapatthevalvelocatedwithinthesinkunitduringthewintertopreventitfreezing.
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Gas
Meter
Inmostproperties,thegasmeterislocatedinthebrownboxatthefrontofyourhouse.Ifyouarenotsurewhereyourgasmeteris,pleasecontactus.
Ifyourpropertyhasagassupply,thenagaspointhasbeenprovidedwithinthecookerspace.
Donotalterortamperwithanygaspipelineorappliancewhichhasbeeninstalledbyusinyourproperty.
In an emergency, turn off the supply by turning the handle inside the box and contact us immediately.
Gas Emergency Number – 0800 111 999.
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Heating And Hot Water
Boiler
Thegasboilerisnormallylocatedinthekitchen.Ifyouarenotsurewhereyourboileris,pleasecontactus.
Pleasereadtheuserguidecarefully.Ifyouneedanyassistance,pleasecontactyourBuildingSurveyororEstatesAssistant.
Yourboilerwillrunthecentralheatingandhotwatersystemandiscontrolledbyaprogrammer.
Theprogrammerwillallowon/offtimesfortheboilertobesettoyourindividualrequirements.
Room Thermostat
Yourroomthermostatisusuallylocatedintheloungeandcanbeadjustedtomeetyourpersonalrequirements.
Programmer
Yourprogrammerisusuallylocatedwithintheboileritselfbehindthepulldownflap,oronthewallneartheboiler.
Forinstructionsonhowtosettheprogrammer,pleaserefertotheuserinstructions.
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Radiators
Thereisaradiatorineachroom.MostradiatorshavebeenfittedwithaThermostaticRadiatorValve(TRV).ThisTRVisusedtocontrolthetemperatureofeachradiator.Asmallradiatorisusuallyprovidedintheairingcupboard.
Hot Water
Inmostofourproperties,acombi-boilerprovidesyourhotwater,andassuchnostoragetankisrequired.
Failure
Shouldtheheatingorcontrolsceasetofunctionoryouarenotsureaboutcorrectoperation,turnofftheheatingsystemboilerattheboilerthermostat,thenswitchofftheelectricalsupplyattheswitchnexttotheboilerandcontactusimmediately.If a gas leak is suspected turn off the gas supply at the gas meter and contact NATIONAL GRID on 0800 111 999.
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Before Calling Us Please Check The Following:
Problem - Boiler not functioning/firing:
• Istherebothelectricandgastotheboiler(checkthegasandelectricalmeters).
• Hastherebeenapowercut?Ifthisisthecase,seeboilerinstructionstore-lightthepilot.
• IstheprogrammersettoONperiod?
• Istheroomthermostatsettoolow?Ifso,theboilerwillnotcomeon.
• Hastheroomtemperaturebeenreached?(i.e.theboilershouldnotneedtocomeonifithas).
• Isthepumprunning?
Problem – Room too cold:
• Aretheboilerorroomthermostatssetcorrectly?
• IstheprogrammersettoONperiod?
• Istheradiatorturnedon?
• Isthepumpturnedon?
Problem – Hot water too hot:
• Isthecylinderthermostatsettoohigh?(Ifso,turnittoalowersettingoralternativelycontactus).
Servicing of your central heating system
Servicingisimportantinordertoensurecontinuinghighefficiencyandlonglifeforyourboiler.Wewillarrangeayearlyserviceforyourboiler.Pleaseensurethatyouallowaccesstotheengineertoensurethatthisimportantworkcanbeundertaken.
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Smoke DetectorsYourhomehasbeenfittedwithsmokedetectorswhichareusuallylocatedontheceilingofthehallandlanding.Theseareusuallymainswiredwithabatterybackup.Thebatteryisspecifictothesmokealarmandisnotsuitableforuseelsewhere.
Theyarethereforyoursafety.
Think about escape routes now!!
Thesmokedetectorsaresensitivetodustandyoushouldperiodicallyremoveanydustwiththenozzleofyourvacuumcleaner.
Ifthedetectorstartsbleepingintermittently,thebatterybackupinsidethedetectorneedstobechanged.
ImportantTesttheoperationofthesmokedetectoronceeverymonthbypressingthetestbuttonharduntilthesoundergoesoff.
Ifthedetectorfailstotestproperly,contactusimmediatelyon02920259100.
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FixingsBecarefulwhennailingordrillingintofloors,wallsorceilings,toavoidcontactwithanyelectriccablesorpipeswhichmayliebeneaththesurface.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO DRILL OR NAIL A FITTING DIRECTLY ABOVE OR BELOW ANY SOCKET OUTLET OR SWITCH.
Plasterboardpartitionsneedthecorrecttypeoffixings,notjustnails.ConsultyourBuildingSurveyorforadviceifinanydoubt.
Onlylightweightobjects(wallmirrorsandsmallpictures)maybefixedtopartitionwallsunlessadviceissoughtfromyourBuildingSurveyor.
Sanitary WareBaths,basinsandsinksshouldbecleanedwithrecommendedproductstoavoiddamagingthesurfaces.Donotusescouringorgrittycleaners.Bleachshouldnotbemixedwithlavatorypowdersnorallowedtostandinstainlesssteelsinks.Donotflushunsuitableitems,suchasdisposablenappies,downthetoiletasthismayleadtoadrainsblockageandarecharge.
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