Huge gas bill

kirsty000

Ive just had my gas bill for £200! This time last year it was £60! I live in a one bedroom flat on my own and havent used the heating any different to usual. ive read the meter and its the same as the bill says, but surley it cant be right! Any ideas?? My heating isnt on for long in the day, maybe 4 hours as im out most of the time.

Magentasue

Surely it can be right! Given the weather this winter and the price hikes last year, most people will be paying a lot more this winter.

jimexbox

kirsty000 wrote: »

Ive just had my gas bill for £200! This time last year it was £60! I live in a one bedroom flat on my own and havent used the heating any different to usual. ive read the meter and its the same as the bill says, but surley it cant be right! Any ideas?? My heating isnt on for long in the day, maybe 4 hours as im out most of the time.

30-40% price rises and its been cold. So your boiler will have to fire up for longer to attain what you normally have your thermostat set at.

I can only suggest you buy a thick wooly cardigan like I did.

A_fiend_for_life

Can you post more info on how many units your using and what your paying per unit?

kirsty000

This is the info from my bill:

12 Nov 2008 - actual 3079 We read your meter
23 Feb 2009 - actual 3218 We read your meter
= 139 metric units over 104 days
Gas units converted = 4425.99 kWh used over 104 days
Usage charge First 764.00 kWh x 7.203 p = £ 55.03
Next 3661.99 kWh x 3.632 p = £ 133.00

Total cost of gas used £ 188.03

At the same time last year i had only used about 55 units

Dreamnine

I don't see how that can be right. For the same time period with Scottish Hydro I used 132 units.. But that only came to £67. Something isn't right.

Magentasue

Dreamnine wrote: »

I don't see how that can be right. For the same time period with Scottish Hydro I used 132 units.. But that only came to £67. Something isn't right.

You have a metric meter?

kirsty000

i know the price is right for the amout of gas it says ive used just a bit concerned as to how i have used 3 times as much gas as last year when the heating has been on the same. Im a student so make sure i use the heating much!

A_fiend_for_life

I calculated your usage based on my tariff and yours is £6 more assuming no early payment discounts etc. ie £182.69 plus VAT. (£191 inc VAT)

Might be worth looking around for another tariff but it is down to usage more than anything I'm afraid though you are being billed for slightly longer than 3 months.

I'd look at what your using for water and space heating first.

18 to 21C is a reasonable temperature range though I certainly find 18C comfortable.

hth

Magentasue

kirsty000 wrote: »

how i have used 3 times as much gas as last year when the heating has been on the same.

The colder it is, the longer the boiler has to be on, using more gas and costing more money.

Dreamnine

Magentasue wrote: »

You have a metric meter?

136.01 metric units used converted to 1515kwh.

Standard Energy 1143kwh at 4.370p each £49.95
Discounted Energy 372 kwh at 3.300p each £12.27

plus Vat and £2 or so outstanding.
It says these are metric units. I always assumed they were, as the meter is not that old.