What are my chances....

[2106greencat]

probably buckleys to none, but here is my gripe anyway.

I have been renting an apartment (total 8 apartments, 3 level high rise) for 18 months...for the first 15 months my power bills were coming in at around $385.00 a quarter......just me, I work full time and then some, so they were pretty exxy I thought, but hey, what can you do??

Three months ago, Body Corporate organised OHS safety checks etc, and the electricians found the water temps were set way too high and came around and adjusted them a week later.......

last power bill (yesterday) $216.00.......

so for 5 billing cycles I have paid an extra $800 through no fault of my own.....

What do you reckon my chances are of getting this re-imbursed??

I know there is no chance, it just really urks me, I am doing okay, but there is a young couple with a couple of kids who live beneath me and they are struggling, this sort of corporate foul up really p****s me off

Rant over, as you were..

[imastawka · Accepted solution]

Stinks, gc.  Have a read here,  you're in Qld?

http://www.qcat.qld.gov.au/matter-types/other-civil-disputes/body-corporate-and-community-management...

and maybe organise the other tenants

[freddie*rooster]

I would definately make a complaint, this is something you had no control over and this should have been checked. Do you rent through a RE or privately green kitty?

[lloydslights]

I empathize greencat.  

My gas bill (following a new meter being installed) was pretty rich, too.  So I turned the temp down for summer.

The DD had a HWS replaced recently and asked the guy to adjust the temp to 60degrees.  He said that is now the "factory setting" anyway.

So it appears in the past, the factory setting was too high for all HWS.  I think I remember reading about children being burnt by too hot water in the bathroom and the OHS-type laws came about.

In regards the possibility of a claim to the owner of the apartment block,  why not try through the Body Corporate for some reimbursement.  I'm sure someone else hereabouts would be better advised than I, in this regard.

DEB

*Just realized you mentioned the OHS

[siggie-reported-by-alarmists]

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@2106greencat wrote:

probably buckleys to none, but here is my gripe anyway.

I have been renting an apartment (total 8 apartments, 3 level high rise) for 18 months...for the first 15 months my power bills were coming in at around $385.00 a quarter......just me, I work full time and then some, so they were pretty exxy I thought, but hey, what can you do??

Three months ago, Body Corporate organised OHS safety checks etc, and the electricians found the water temps were set way too high and came around and adjusted them a week later.......

last power bill (yesterday) $216.00.......

so for 5 billing cycles I have paid an extra $800 through no fault of my own.....

What do you reckon my chances are of getting this re-imbursed??

I know there is no chance, it just really urks me, I am doing okay, but there is a young couple with a couple of kids who live beneath me and they are struggling, this sort of corporate foul up really p****s me off

Rant over, as you were..

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It's not your fault....however, you have used and received the benefits of the hot water.

Be glad that your temp has now been set lower, thus saving on future bills.

[polksaladallie]

Don't you have your own HW system?

I have always altered mine to my choice renting or owning.

[iapetus_rocks]

"Legionnaires' or Legionellosis, is caused by a bacteria, Legionella pneumophila.  It is a respiratory disease that can cause severe pneumonia and is sometimes fatal.

How can a hot water tank give you Legionnaires’ Disease? 

The Legionella bacteria can multiply exceptionally well in warm water, between 25° to 50°C.  If infected water is inhaled in small airborne droplets of the water, as would happen when taking a shower, the individual could end up with the disease.

The solution is to keep the hot water INSIDE the tank set to a minimum of 60°C.  This applies to all electric and gas storage tank systems, including solar and heat pump units, which also have storage tanks.  Your plumber would have set your system up to run at 60°C when it was installed. http://www.elgas.com.au/blog/360-legionnaires-disease-from-your-hot-water-tank"

Conserving power use is a good thing, up to a point, perhaps. Be careful. 😉

[lloydslights]

Why is there a screw/knob to adjust the temperature if it is advised not to adjust it?

Why would people need temps greater than 60degrees?  Just curious.  

Oops just thought of one reason - cast iron bath  - takes the heat out of the water.  But not a lot of those around now.

DEB

[2106greencat]

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@polksaladallie wrote:

Don't you have your own HW system?

I have always altered mine to my choice renting or owning.

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Nope - communal and it can  not be be accessed by tennants, only management.

Even if i Ihad thought of turning it down, I couldn't have.

stawks, thanks for that link, I must just give it a go and speak to the other tennants, cheers

[2106greencat]

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@lloydslights wrote:

Why is there a screw/knob to adjust the temperature if it is advised not to adjust it?

Why would people need temps greater than 60degrees?  Just curious.  

Oops just thought of one reason - cast iron bath  - takes the heat out of the water.  But not a lot of those around now.

DEB

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and no choice where I live Deb, can't even get to it..