Are my gas bills too high?

happymoneysaver79

Hi there,
I know its probably very difficult for anyone to say but I was wondering if anyone thought that my gas bills seemed high.
I have a two bed terrace with a gas combi boiler, central heating and a gas oven and hob. I never use the heating as the house doesn't get cold, we generally half fill the bath daily for my daughter and have 2 quick showers for myself and OH. I use the gas hob once daily for approx 20 mins and the oven probably 4-5 times per week for under 30 mins. According to B-gas I am an above average user and my direct debit stands at £67 per month.
I would be grateful if someone could comment on this for me because to me this seems quite high.

Thanks in advance x

Magentasue

Until earlier this year, we had a house with 13 radiators, heated water twice a day but cooked by electricity. Our gas payments were similar to yours. We were far from frugal and kept the house very warm.

Now we have a smaller house, still three bedroom, are mid-terrace instead of semi-detached and only have eight rads. We have a combi boiler and run two or three baths a day. We cook by gas now too. I am thinking that our gas bill for this winter should be about the same as last year. The heating will probably be on this month or next and we'll use it through until April, at least.

So, yes, seems high to me.

brysiewysie

If you're interested in comparing you could start using this site;

http://www.imeasure.org.uk/

Dreamnine

That does seem high for what you describe.

Choc

Way too high and it will be if your on standard tariff with BG,do yourself a favour and swap.

[Deleted User]

They do seem too high. I would look at bath usage and the oven usage. It takes a very conscious effort to get into the swing of cutting back. Do you use the whole hob for 20 minutes? I use a steamer on one small burner and I use good stainless steel pans so that that the gas setting is on minimum. I also use a pressure cooker etc. Perhaps post your quarterly reading up

notbritishgas

If you have been totally honest with your circumstances,especially the bit about "never using the heating" then £67 is way too high.
Can you let us know your usage in kwh or units (if units tell us what type of meter you have) this will give more clues as to your usage than the DD will.

knowsleyroader

My DD with British Gas recently rose from £54 to £94 per month. This despite taking advantage of the price protection since 2005. After wondering about it for a few weeks I called them today to ask how and why. The nice advisor told me, having looked at my account, he had no idea and guessed the computer was to blame! He reduced the amount to £60 and I'll be sending readings in to keep on top of it instead of letting the estimates go.
I'd do the same if I were you.

happymoneysaver79

Choc wrote: »

Way too high and it will be if your on standard tariff with BG,do yourself a favour and swap.

Im not on the standard tarrif, I shopped around and this was the cheapest price and is fixed until next year.

happymoneysaver79

kittie wrote: »

They do seem too high. I would look at bath usage and the oven usage. It takes a very conscious effort to get into the swing of cutting back. Do you use the whole hob for 20 minutes? I use a steamer on one small burner and I use good stainless steel pans so that that the gas setting is on minimum. I also use a pressure cooker etc. Perhaps post your quarterly reading up

I generally use either a stainless steamer on one ring or a pan on one ring, occasionally 2 rings for approx 20 mins. I will ring b-gas and find out my usage and post it up here.
Thanks for your help x

happymoneysaver79

knowsleyroader wrote: »

My DD with British Gas recently rose from £54 to £94 per month. This despite taking advantage of the price protection since 2005. After wondering about it for a few weeks I called them today to ask how and why. The nice advisor told me, having looked at my account, he had no idea and guessed the computer was to blame! He reduced the amount to £60 and I'll be sending readings in to keep on top of it instead of letting the estimates go.
I'd do the same if I were you.

I am forever ringing them and submitting meter readings so it should be right, it just seems really high to me. x