.
I'd suggest a storage heater. They are cost efficient as they utilise off peak electricity during the night for day heat release and many also have an option for a "top up" fan heat if required using normal tarrif electricity.
I too have not seen a coin operated metre in France but would be put off if anywhere I was to buy or rent had one. I think Clair's suggestion would be preferable.
"Acova" radiators are excellent, easy to control, they can be put on at short notice and used during the day.
I would be inclined to include a certain amount of kw's for free and then charge. This system is likely to make your clients more careful with the electricity.
Edit
As for "pay as you use" meters I don't know whether they exist in France. Assuming each gite has its own meter you could take the meter reading with the client when they arrive and check the amount with them when they leave. They then pay you for the extra kw.s used.
oops sorry
I realise that Clair has said all this in an earlier posting.
..
Thebiga wrote: One thing that I did not ask for was peoples opinion on what they would think about a coin operated metre etc (Eos) as being put off. I can not understand this forum sometimes that a thread can just turn into what people think about something, Whether they like something or not or just turn into a plain argument. It saddens me. Please just stick to the questions and thats that.
One thing that I did not ask for was peoples opinion on what they would think about a coin operated metre etc (Eos) as being put off. I can not understand this forum sometimes that a thread can just turn into what people think about something, Whether they like something or not or just turn into a plain argument. It saddens me.
Please just stick to the questions and thats that.
Ok in answer to your question,
Someone does know where to get a coin operated meter, - me!
I did know that some people give a certain amount of electric in the letting price and then charge. The only thing wrong with the pay for what you have used over this amount is that it does not stop somebody from having the heating on all the time and then you find that they left in the night at the end of the stay and you are then out of pocket.
If this were to happen then presumably you would not return their damage deposit and you could take the money out of that, hopefully there would be enough to cover the cost.
Thebiga wrote: Thankyou all for your input about the metres and the radiators/night storage heaters etc.. I did know that some people give a certain amount of electric in the letting price and then charge. The only thing wrong with the pay for what you have used over this amount is that it does not stop somebody from having the heating on all the time and then you find that they left in the night at the end of the stay and you are then out of pocket. One thing that I did not ask for was peoples opinion on what they would think about a coin operated metre etc (Eos) as being put off. I can not understand this forum sometimes that a thread can just turn into what people think about something, Whether they like something or not or just turn into a plain argument. It saddens me. Please just stick to the questions and thats that.
Thankyou all for your input about the metres and the radiators/night storage heaters etc..
Eh? this is a discussion forum. No-one is dictating to you, ordering you or abusing you, no-one is arguing for or against anything. Some people are offering opinions in the belief that they may be helpfull to you.
To be very blunt, with an attitude like that, you might struggle to get any help at all in the future.
As for being left out of pocket with the meter reading system, unless you are heating your gite with a particle accelerator, the electricity bill is unlikely to be more than your security deposit.
12kw heating (4 x 3kw radiators) on full power 24 / 7 for a week will cost between £6o and £100 depending on your tariff. In reality, with thermostat controls, and assuming they dont leave the windows open, I would expect the worst-case figures to be closer to £20 - £30.
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