As you settle in to your new home, you'll be faced with a number of choices. You can choose your supplier of electricity, gas or telephone - and usually make savings as a result. It's worth comparing the different benefits and packages available to you to get the best deal.

The British media also offers you choices so that you can pick television channels, radio programmes and publications that suit your tastes.

Aberdeen is home to the Press & Journal newspaper - a useful source of information on jobs and property - and a good quality read. The Aberdeen Journal, one of the Press & Journal's ancestors, was first printed in 1748, making it one of the oldest newspapers in Britain.

Electricity

When you move to a new home, you should tell your electricity supplier the date on which you wish to take over the supply. Your new electricity supplier will need to take a meter reading to determine when your billing period begins. It is a good idea to keep a record of your initial meter reading.

If you want information or advice about choosing an electricity supplier in your area, you can telephone the helpline run by energywatch on 0845 601 3131. The helpline is open from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. For more information log on to www.energywatch.org.uk

Gas

Gas suppliers are listed in the Yellow Pages directory. As with your electricity supply, you will need to inform your chosen gas supplier of the date you move in to a new property in order to ensure that your gas supply is available to you immediately. Energywatch can help you with your choice of gas supplier.

A gas supplier can authorise its officials to enter premises to inspect the gas installation and appliances. If a gas leak is reported, it will be made safe free of charge. Made safe can often mean simply turning the supply off.

If an appliance is faulty and has to be disconnected, you will be responsible for buying a replacement and getting it installed.

If you are renting your property, your landlord must ensure that any gas appliances installed by them are maintained in a safe condition. Anyone supplying a gas appliance must ensure that it is safe and that it meets European safety standards.

Paying your bills

Electricity and gas suppliers must provide a variety of ways for you to pay your bill if you have a credit meter. The minimum requirement is that an electricity supplier must allow you to pay by cash, cheque, postal order or monthly direct debit.

Your electricity supplier may also offer other payment methods. Some electricity suppliers will give a discount if you pay by a particular method.

Water

The quality of Scottish drinking water is excellent and is safe to drink directly from the tap. Since 1 April 2002 water supplies in Scotland are provided by a single water authority called Scottish Water. Scottish Water is responsible for ensuring that your water supply meets regulations on water standards. Payment for your water is included in the council tax bill sent from your local council.

The amount to pay is determined in the same way as the council tax. The amount you pay depends on:

• the valuation band of your property
• any discounts for which you are eligible

The rules for assessing valuation bands and discounts are the same as those for the council tax.

Refuse collection

The cost of refuse collection from residential homes is covered by the Council Tax. Rubbish is collected once or twice a week and there may also be a special paper collection. Bottle banks and containers for the disposal and recycling of cans, clothes and paper are available on many supermarket sites.

The Recycling Office of the Council's Cleansing Department will be able to tell you the location of their collection points.

The Recycling Office
Cleansing Services
St Nicholas House
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1BX

Tel: + 44 (0) 1224 522225

Telephone

BT (British Telecom) operates a national telephone service. You are normally charged quarterly for services. This change covers line rental and your calls. All calls including local calls are metered and charged. Itemised billing can be requested. If you are a new residential subscriber you will have to pay a returnable deposit. To arrange for a telephone to be connected you should telephone BT customer service on 150.

To contact Operator Services dial 100. The number for British Directory Enquiries is 118 118 and for International Directory Enquiries you should call 118505.

To order a copy of the BT Telephone Directory, call 0800 309 409. To order a copy of the Yellow Pages Classified Directory, call 0800 671 444.

It is possible to make savings on your telephone calls by using an independent telephone service provider such as Mercury or AT&T. Check your Yellow Pages for details on service providers in your area.

Internet

If you want to get connected to the Internet in your own home, you will need:

• a computer with at least 32mb of system memory
• a modem
• an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• a telephone line

There are hundreds of ISPs in the UK to choose from. Specialist publications such as Internet Magazine regularly publish useful information on competitive deals with Internet Service Providers. You can choose from providers such as AOL, BT, Freeserve and many more.

The main considerations when choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP) are:

• Does your ISP give local call access to the Internet?
• Will you be charged a flat monthly fee or will you be charged for time spent on line?
• What modem speed does your ISP support?
• Do they operate a Helpline? Will you have to pay for using it?
• What software is provided? Is it compatible with your operating system?
• What email address can they give you?

Television

Britain has an advanced broadcasting industry with five free-to-air channels, including the public broadcaster, the BBC. Britain has also developed one of the most advanced digital TV and interactive TV (iTV) sectors in Europe.

The five main British television channels are BBC 1 and BBC 2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. There are often regional variations in content. In addition satellite and cable channels are available offering a wide range of films, music, drama, educational programmes, news, documentaries and children's programmes.

When you buy a television, your supplier can advise you on the connection that will best suit your needs. The independent satellite service, British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) is available on subscription. You need special equipment including a satellite dish to pick it up, which will allow you to receive numerous European satellite channels.

The equipment is relatively inexpensive to buy or rent. Alternatively, BSkyB channels are included in the standard package available to cable subscribers.

If you own or use a television set in the UK, you must have a television licence. An annual colour TV licence currently costs £116. You can pay in instalments if you prefer. A black and white TV licence is £38-50. Concessions apply if you are over 75 or registered blind, and other regulations govern second homes, multiple occupancies, students or special situations. You do not need a licence for a radio.

For information see the TV Licensing website www.tv-l.co.uk or call 0870 241 6468.

Radio

There are five BBC national radio networks. Radio 1 broadcasts mainly rock and pop music and Radio 2 offers popular music and a mix of panel games, quizzes and regular news summaries. Radio 3 is for the more serious music lover and Radio 4 is the main speech channel with regular news bulletins, current affairs programmes, drama and documentaries. Radio 5 offers family entertainment and good sports coverage.

Scotland's national radio, Radio Scotland, covers Scottish issues and local matters from networked stations across Scotland. There is also a Gaelic language service Radio Nan Gaidheal The local independent radio station serving Aberdeen is Northsound Radio. There are many more independent radio stations such as Classic FM and Virgin 1215.

The frequencies for the various radio stations can be found in the daily newspapers or in TV and radio guides available from your local newsagent.

Newspapers

Scotland has a strong tradition of producing high quality newspapers covering international, national and local issues. The main papers servicing the Aberdeen area are the Press & Journal and the Aberdeen Evening Express. They offer a mixture of news, sport, lifestyle features, political commentary, community news and classified advertisements.

For more information see www.pressandjournal.co.uk.

There are also a number of smaller independent publications such as the Aberdeen and District Independent providing good coverage of local news and events.

Mail services

The Royal Mail Group is responsible for running the Post Office network, Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide. It provides a wide range of personal and business services to customers including business address management, international mail services and a variety of mailing options.

For more information log on to www.royalmail.com or visit your local Post Office.