2.1 Meters, valves and switches
Within the Bedford House development a number of different types of system have been utilised throughout the scheme and depend on where your new home is located. Information is therefore specific to your individual apartment and to access the relevant documents and explanations for the use of the equipment please select your apartment number from the menu below.
APARTMENTS 1–29
MAINS WATER METER
The water meters are located in the Landlord’s riser cupboard on each floor of the apartments. It is unlikely that you will need to gain access to the riser cupboard as this will be arranged between the utility company and the Managing Agent. If you do need to gain access, please contact the Managing Agent as the cupboard doors require a special key to open them. Each meter is labelled with the property postal number.
Water Meter
ELECTRIC METER
The electric meters are located in the Landlord’s riser cupboards. Again it is unlikely that you will need to gain access to the riser cupboard as this will be arranged between the utility company and the Managing Agent. If you do need to gain access, please contact the Managing Agent as the cupboard doors require a special key to open them. Each meter is labelled with the property postal number.
Your electric meter is a smart meter, which can be read remotely for billing purposes. This means your meter readings are automatically sent to your utility supplier.
More information on smart meters can be found on Ofgem’s website using the following link: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/understand-smart-prepayment-and-other-energy-meters
Electric Meter
Located in Landlord’s Riser Cupboard
ENERGY DISPLAY MONITOR
An in-home display monitor has been provided. The device will help you view your meter readings, monitor your energy consumption and assist you in managing your usage and bills. The unit has been left in the cupboard in the hallway but is free-standing and can be moved around your apartment for convenient monitoring, as long as it’s near a plug and doesn’t get damp or wet.
Your display is designed to save you money and is cheap to run. It will cost around 20 pence a year in electricity. Put your monitor somewhere easy to see to keep track of your electricity usage, and you’ll soon start to see how simple changes like turning off the lights, or boiling less water in the kettle mean less electricity is being used.
Diagram 1 below shows you what each button does and Diagram 2 shows you how those buttons work the different elements on the screen.
Details on how the energy display monitor works can be found in the Eon Information Guide that can be viewed by clicking here.
Diagram 1 – Buttons
Diagram 2 – Display
HEAT INTERFACE UNIT
Your heat interface unit (HIU) is located in the cupboard in the hallway. The LCD display visible on the front of the HIU panel shows how many units have been used to generate your heating and hot water.
Heat Interface Unit – HIU (left) / Heating & Hot Water Usage Monitor (right)
The Switch2 G6 meter located in the cupboard with the HIU is a data collection system. It uses secure GPRS communications for automated meter reading and billing. This system is powered by a 230V mains electricity supply. Please DO NOT attempt to undertake any maintenance. The System should only be installed, programmed, removed or dismantled by a Switch2 technician.
Switch2 G6 Meter
ELECTRIC MAINS SWITCH AND CURRENT BREAKER
The consumer unit is located in the cupboard in the hallway.
Prior to you moving into the property all appliances and switches will have been tested by a representative from Ipsus and so the property should be fully functional. If something does not work, then please do check and make sure that the main electric switch on the consumer unit has not been switched off inadvertently or isolated by mistake. Each switch is labelled to show which room / circuit / appliance it controls.
Consumer Unit
Main isolator switches off all power. Up is on. Down is off.
All fused spurs are labelled so it is easy to identify which switch controls which appliance.
Fused Spurs – Kitchen Appliances
The fused spurs for the kitchen appliances are located in a cupboard in the kitchen, either in a base cupboard unit or in a tower cupboard.
Fused Spur – Washer Dryer
The fused spur for the washer dryer is located in the hallway cupboard with the washer dryer.
Fused Spur – Heat Interface Unit
The fused spur for the heat interface unit (HIU) and underfloor heating is located in the hallway cupboard. The G6 energy meter uses the same fused spur as the HIU.
MIRROR DEMISTERS, TOWEL RAILS AND VENTILATION UNITS
Items such as the electric towel rails, mirror demisters and ventilation units that are in your bathrooms run off separate electrical circuits to the main apartment.
The towel rails can still be used to dry towels and remove moisture from the bathrooms and en-suites even when the underfloor heating is not on, as they are controlled separately.
The mirror demister is wired to the same switch as the downlighters and so this will automatically come on and off via the lighting control. Isolation if required is via the lighting circuit breaker on the consumer unit located in the cupboard in the hallway.
FOR APARTMENTS 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 25 AND 26:
Towel Rail Isolation Switch
The isolation switch for the towel rail is located outside the bathroom / en suite at high level above the door.
Vent Axia MVHR Isolation Switch
The isolation switch for the Vent-Axia MVHR is located on the wall in the cupboard near the Vent-Axia unit.
FOR APARTMENTS 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 22, 27, 28 AND 29:
Towel Rail and Bathroom Extract Fan Isolation Switches
The isolation switches for the towel rail and the bathroom extract fan are located outside the bathroom / en suite at high level above the door.
Hallway Cupboard Extract Fan Isolation Switch
The isolation switch for the hallway cupboard extract fan is located on the wall in the cupboard near the equipment.
WARDROBE LIGHTS
The LED striplight in the wardrobe is on a contact switch and comes on automatically when the wardrobe door is opened.
If the light needs maintaining or the LED strip needs replacing, you would first need to isolate the light by using the lighting circuit breaker on the consumer unit in the cupboard in the hallway.
Wardrobe Lights
WASHER/DRYER
The washer/dryer located in the hallway cupboard has been fully plumbed in and tested but it is worth just making sure before you use it for the first time that the waste pipe is still connected properly and has not been dislodged during the moving in process.
When the washer/dryer is in use the MVHR system will automatically switch to boost mode via an in-built sensor and will continue to run on boost mode until humidity has cleared. This facility means you are able to close the door of the hallway cupboard while the washer dryer is operating. There is an extract ventilation grille located in the ceiling of the cupboard.
CLEAN WATER STOPCOCK
The main clean water stop cock is located with the water meters located in the Landlord’s riser cupboard on each floor of apartments. This can only be accessed via the Managing Agent and should only be necessary in extreme circumstances.
IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY SUCH AS A LEAK AND YOU NEED TO ISOLATE THE WATER IN YOUR APARTMENT:
There is a further isolation lever valve located behind an access hatch at high level in your hallway cupboard. You will need to use a step-ladder to reach the valve.
Isolation Lever Valve
Turn the red lever to the closed position and you will stop the flow of water into the apartment.
APARTMENTS 30–41
MAINS WATER METER
The water meters are located in the Landlord’s riser cupboard on each floor of the apartments. It is unlikely that you will need to gain access to the riser cupboard as this will be arranged between the utility company and the Managing Agent. If you do need to gain access, please contact the Managing Agent as the cupboard doors require a special key to open them. Each meter is labelled with the property postal number.
Water Meter
ELECTRIC METER
The electric meters are located in the Landlord’s riser cupboards. It is unlikely that you will need to gain access to the riser cupboard as this will be arranged between the utility company and the Managing Agent. If you do need to gain access, please contact the Managing Agent as the cupboard doors require a special key to open them. Each meter is labelled with the property postal number.
Your electricity meter will need to be manually read. You can usually call your utility supplier or submit your meter readings on their website or via an app if you have your personal details and account number.
More information on electric meters can be found on Ofgem’s website using the following link: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/understand-smart-prepayment-and-other-energy-meters
Electric Meter
Located in Landlord’s Riser Cupboard
You can view your energy usage on the energy display monitor. When you move into the apartment your energy display monitor will be in the cupboard in the hallway. You can move it to another location if preferred.
ENERGY DISPLAY MONITOR
An in-home display monitor has been provided. The device will help you view your meter readings, monitor your energy consumption and assist you in managing your usage and bills. The unit has been left in the cupboard in the hallway but is free-standing and can be moved around your apartment for convenient monitoring, as long as it’s near a plug and doesn’t get damp or wet.
Your display is designed to save you money and is cheap to run. It will cost around 20 pence a year in electricity. Put your monitor somewhere easy to see to keep track of your electricity usage, and you’ll soon start to see how simple changes like turning off the lights, or boiling less water in the kettle mean less electricity is being used.
Details on how the energy display monitor works can be found in the Geo Minim+ Monitor CT Quick Start Guide” that can be viewed by clicking here.
Geo Minim+ Monitor
Signal strength: Shows the signal strength of the transmitter.
Battery indicator: Flashes when the batteries in the transmitter are low.
Speedometer: Shows your current rate of consumption in kW.
Currency: Shows the cost of the energy consumed in the selected currency.
Tariff: Shows if you are on the lowest, middle or highest of your tariff rates.
Temperature: Shows you the room temperature where your monitor is placed.
Upper digits: Shows your current rate of consumption in costs, carbon or kW.
Lower digits: Shows the total energy consumed or the budget for the chosen time period.
Budget bar: Shows if you are predicted to be over or under your budget for the time period.
HEAT INTERFACE UNIT
Your heat interface unit (HIU) is located in the cupboard in the hallway. The LCD display visible on the front of the HIU panel shows how many units have been used to generate your heating and hot water.
Heat Interface Unit – HIU (left) / Heating & Hot Water Usage Monitor (right)
The Switch2 G6 meter located in the cupboard with the HIU is a data collection system. It uses secure GPRS communications for automated meter reading and billing. This system is powered by a 230V mains electricity supply. Please DO NOT attempt to undertake any maintenance. The System should only be installed, programmed, removed or dismantled by a Switch2 technician.
Switch2 G6 Meter
ELECTRIC MAINS SWITCH AND CURRENT BREAKER
The consumer unit is located in the cupboard in the hallway.
Prior to you moving into the property all appliances and switches will have been tested by a representative from Ipsus and so the property should be fully functional. If something does not work, then please do check and make sure that the main electric switch on the consumer unit has not been switched off inadvertently or isolated by mistake. Each switch is labelled to show which room / circuit / appliance it controls.
Consumer Unit
Main isolator switches off all power. Up is on. Down is off.
All fused spurs are labelled so it is easy to identify which switch controls which appliance.
Fused Spurs – Kitchen Appliances
The fused spurs for the kitchen appliances are located in a cupboard in the kitchen, either in a base cupboard unit or in a tower cupboard.
Fused Spur – Washer Dryer
The fused spur for the washer dryer is located in the hallway cupboard with the washer dryer.
Fused Spur – Heat Interface Unit
The fused spur for the heat interface unit (HIU) and underfloor heating is located in the hallway cupboard. The G6 energy meter uses the same fused spur as the HIU.
MIRROR DEMISTERS, TOWEL RAILS AND VENTILATION UNITS
Items such as the electric towel rails, mirror demisters and ventilation units that are in your bathrooms run off separate electrical circuits to the main apartment.
The towel rails can still be used to dry towels and remove moisture from the bathrooms and en-suites even when the underfloor heating is not on, as they are controlled separately.
The mirror demister is wired to the same switch as the downlighters and so this will automatically come on and off via the lighting control. Isolation if required is via the lighting circuit breaker on the consumer unit located in the cupboard in the hallway.
The isolation switches for the towel rail and the bathroom extract fan are located outside the bathroom / en suite at high level above the door.
Towel Rail and Bathroom Extract Fan Isolation Switches
The isolation switches for the towel rail and the bathroom extract fan are located outside the bathroom / en suite at high level above the door.
Hallway Cupboard Extract Fan Isolation Switch
The isolation switch for the hallway cupboard extract fan is located on the wall in the cupboard near the equipment.
WARDROBE LIGHTS
The LED striplight in the wardrobe is on a contact switch and comes on automatically when the wardrobe door is opened.
If the light needs maintaining or the LED strip needs replacing, you would first need to isolate the light by using the lighting circuit breaker on the consumer unit in the cupboard in the hallway.
Wardrobe Lights
WASHER/DRYER
The washer/dryer located in the hallway cupboard has been fully plumbed in and tested but it is worth just making sure before you use it for the first time that the waste pipe is still connected properly and has not been dislodged during the moving in process.
The MEV extract fan in the hallway cupboard is controlled via the light switch within the cupboard. When the light switch is turned off the fan will continue to run for approximately 30 minutes and then switch itself off.
CLEAN WATER STOPCOCK
The main clean water stop cock is located with the water meters located in the Landlord’s riser cupboard on each floor of apartments. This can only be accessed via the Managing Agent and should only be necessary in extreme circumstances.
IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY SUCH AS A LEAK AND YOU NEED TO ISOLATE THE WATER IN YOUR APARTMENT:
There is a further isolation lever valve located behind an access hatch at high level in your hallway cupboard. You will need to use a step-ladder to reach the valve.
Isolation Lever Valve
Turn the red lever to the closed position and you will stop the flow of water into the apartment.