Quarterly Gas Consumption Excessive? Ruined my weekend

mrdantheman

Hi All, (Please help!)
I really need the opinions of others who may know more about general gas usage. I have just received my quarterly gas bill which is in excess of £750 for the period of Nov-Feb (86 days)

I live in a small end terrace, back to back. I have a new worcester bosch boiler and 7 single radiators. This is a 2 bedroom property and I live alone. I try maintain a temperature of 19 degrees whilst in the property on an evening and weekends.

The bill I have just received says I have used 1668 metric units over 86 days and their conversion is 19184.29kwh over the same period.

The year before I used 225 units for the same quarterly period converted to 6625.17 kwh. This to me seems more realistic.

British Gas say that my bill is correct as they are both actual readings but I cant understand how it can jump that much. They have said that it is because of the bitter cold winter we have had. My parents live in a 4 bed detached and dont use this much gas. I wouldnt mind but my house isnt even red hot but just average.

My only thought was that they installed a new gas meter in Jan 08 and this was reset to 00000. It is now at 01800 so I guess this is the amount I have used and the bill is correct.

I cant think straight at the minute and find it hard to liaise with BG on this matter.

Anyone else think this is excessive? And can give me advise me what to do?

Thanks to all who read and pass comment.

Dan

jimexbox

That is a very high bill, how long have you be running the boiler daily?

I worked out by bill the other day, 80 days gas use worked out just under £250 (without online DD discounts). That is for a 3 bed detached, 7 rads, heating on around 5hrs a day with the thermostat on 20c.

I would certainly be asking questions.

mrdantheman

Thanks.
I am not sure how long it is on really. The temperature is just maintained at 19 degrees, so I guess the boiler is always on but not always burning if this makes sense. When I bought the boiler, the fitter said it would be cheaper to just keep a constant temperature rather than just blasting it out on an evening.
It is all so confusing and I am now sat scared to turn the heating on.

jimexbox

Its easy enough to work out your gas usage. I just used my last figures from my bill so I could be certain I was getting my sums right. Then just take readings daily, working out how much in ££ you have used.

From what Ive read from very knowledgeable folk around here, it seems heating when needed is cheaper than having it on all the time. Only what Ive read though.........

1carminestocky

It's been incredibly cold, I'm afraid. When you aren't actually in residence and/or if you are in bed then it really is best for your wallet to have the heating off and timed maybe to come on 30 mins/an hour before your expected time of homecoming/waking up. Heating an empty house costs money that is in effect being wasted. My advice would be force yourself to take daily/weekly meter readings (it seems like a chore at first but can quickly develop into n obsession),. This way you are constantly aware of how much gas you are using and it does tend to concentrate the mind with regard to getting your consumption down. HTH.


PS If you thermostat is not in the room you use the most (i.e. stupid plumbers frequently place them in cold, drafty hallways) then setting a 19c temp on it will probably mean a temp of 25c in the room you use. If it IS located in a colder part of the house (i.e. a room you use infrequently) try turning the temp down a few notches...

Magentasue

If it's a new meter, it must be a metric one so the conversion will be correct. That works out at about 223kwh a day which is very high but we've been using 110-150kwh a day just keeping to max 20deg when we're in and off when out and overnight.

If you've been heating to 19deg all day and even at night, I think it's a reasonable bill.

mrdantheman

I think I may just be in shock. As I have lived in the house for three years and have not changed any heating pattern for the time of year, I guess it was just a surprise. I still cant believe I have used that much alone.

My thermostat is in the warmest room fortunately so who knows what it could have been if it was in a draft.

Anyway, I will have to pay it and I will track my usage. Thanks for your comments.

Magentasue

I reckon on 120-150kwh max costing about £5 a day. We seem to average about 110kwh winter, 110kwh summer. Don't have heating on at night or when we're out, though.

jimexbox

mrdantheman wrote: »

I think I may just be in shock. As I have lived in the house for three years and have not changed any heating pattern for the time of year

There is the problem there, if you have the money, fine. Ive had to radically adjust my energy use, not to save the planet, to save my wallet taking a serious battering. My DD payments doubled last year, when I looked at our use of electricity and especially gas I could see immediately changes had to be made.

The days of whacking up the thermostat and walking around in shorts 'n t-shirt on a winters day are well and truly over.

storminbalder

As others have pointed out, you really must turn off the heating when it's not needed (ie night/when your out). It will cost you a fortune unless your house id VERY well insulated.

Fire_Fox

mrdantheman wrote: »

I have a new worcester bosch boiler and 7 single radiators.

When I bought the boiler, the fitter said it would be cheaper to just keep a constant temperature rather than just blasting it out on an evening.

As I have lived in the house for three years and have not changed any heating pattern for the time of year, I guess it was just a surprise. I still cant believe I have used that much alone.

This doesn't quite make sense. I think you have changed your heating pattern, but aren't feeling any benefit as you are largely paying to heat an empty house/ empty rooms and, to a greater or lesser extent, the street as well! :eek: If you are heating the entire house it's largely irrelevant how many people live with you.

Take a hard look at your insulation as well as your usage patterns. Bear in mind this is the first 'normal' winter for three years. The last two winters I have managed without using any heating at all, not so this year! Also bear in mind that gas prices have increased by around 50% over the last 18 months or so.