NS Utilities
 

Hi

Just about to secure a rental over in NS and will at some stage need to sort out utilities etc.

How does this generally work when you first land, are you able to get payment type plans for electric/hydro;) or do you have to get bi monthly bill until you have established yourselves a bit more??

What is generally cheaper if I am able to get a choice??

Any views on Eastlink as main supplier of phone, internet, tv etc, heard they are the main one and ok:thumbup:?

The house heats with wood and oil, wood ok I think, but are there any tips re the oil, ???

We are arriving in June.

Just after some local knowledge on this if possible

Many Thanks everyone, sorry for the run of questions at the mo:o

Re: NS Utilities
 

Everyone has to use NS power for electricity. If your house has ETS (storage) or underfloor heating they you get to take advantage of cheap rate electricity all weekend and holidays and from 11pm-7am Monday to Friday.

We don't use oil, so can't comment on that. We fill our propane tank twice a year and run and fire and our BBQ off that.

We pay most of our bills through credit card, something we didn't do in the UK - we used D/D back then. In the UK all our D/D or S/O came off on the 1st of every month right after our wages were deposited at the end of the month. Because we are paid bi-weekly here you can't really know accurately that the 1st of the month your wages will be deposited into your bank account because the 1st may landed on a Thursday - so D/D is not quite so handy and that's why we pay be credit card then transfer our money online when we get paid.

Re: NS Utilities
 

thanks for the info YCD:thumbup:

Re: NS Utilities
 

as you have no credit history here, they may ask for a deposit that will be held on account and returned in 2 yrs time (with interest I believe).

We were able to avoid this by bringing 12 months worth of gas and elec bills from the UK - they could see we paid on time and waived the deposit.

Re: NS Utilities
 

thanks for the tip Nicola, will bring these with me:thumbup:

Re: NS Utilities
 

NS power asked for $100 when we moved here, was added to first bill and would be returned to us with interest (so they said) after I think it was 12 months

We have both oil and wood using oil as back up and tank (1000 litres) lasted us approx 10 months and cost us $490 for just over 600 litres although that price will vary. Very happy with the company but check how often they go your way. For us it is every 3 weeks but we hopefully won't need a refill until next Autumn

Re: NS Utilities
 

Hi, thanks for that, which co do you use for oil?

Re: NS Utilities
 

Used Home climate, Superline fuels and they appear to have offices all over the NS

Re: NS Utilities
 

thanks:thumbup:

Re: NS Utilities
 

We moved over in August last year and didn't get around to buying any wood until late September/early October. By this time the prices had gone up and it was harder to get so I would advise getting onto that earlier rather than later.

Re: NS Utilities
 

Thanks, will look to get some in stock sooner rather than later:thumbup:

Re: NS Utilities
 

We arranged for the power to be changed to our name from England and there were no problems at all, one phone call. The lady on the phone could not have been more helpful so unlike the Uk. I was told that a deposit would be required and it would be refunded with interest after a certain time I can not remember if it was 1 or 2 years, anyway they did not take It, so with any luck we may get it back:D
As for phones and internet access, well all I can say is that they are expensive, and with whats on the TV its not worth it but what else is there to do on the long winter evenings??
Aabel fuels is the company we have used for our oil but check the Herald web site before you order to find the cheapest price.

Re: NS Utilities
 

Thanks for the reply, will check the herald:thumbup: Waiting to find out the situation re oil etc on the rental and what we will have to cover etc

Re: NS Utilities
 

I would recommend setting up (or trying to set up) your accounts on-line. I have done this both here and in BC and never had to pay a deposit.

Also, re heating oil. When we first arrived we signed up with Wilsons. We did not have a clue about heating oil, so just signed up with them as they are who our Rental Agent recommended. I now know that it is better to use the smaller companies - for example - I pay our supplier 60 cents a litre whilst Wilsons are charging something like 79 cents a litre. We have to pay cash or credit card rather than on account but it is so much cheaper.

Re: NS Utilities
 

We did that while in Quebec ready for the move to NB. NB Power still charged a deposit...$200 I think and they retained it for a year.