Can my meter reading be wrong?!

wesb24

I've just received by bill from N-Power, which for gas alone is £750 for a quarter!!!!!! We've used 825 units/26315 KWh. Pretty big, huh?

What troubles me is that I live in a three bed flat, we have a maximum of 7 TRV radiators on. We don't have the heating on until c.7pm and we kill it around 11pm at the latest. The hot water is gas, however we shower, don't take baths and don't have a dishwasher.

The meter has ticked over 30 units in the last two days, so ultimately my question is...

Is my meter broken?!?

glider3560

wesb24 wrote: »

Is my meter broken?!?

How is someone on a forum, who has never seen your meter, ever going to be able to answer that question?

penrhyn

More like 8340 Kwh's if you have a metric meter, do you?

kippen_noedel

wesb24 wrote: »

We've used 825 units/26315 KWh. Pretty big, huh?

What troubles me is that I live in a three bed flat, we have a maximum of 7 TRV radiators on.

my total for the year is around 48000 with 17 radiators, so yes, it does seem high for the property. Has the boiler been serviced recently or is it very old ?

glider3560

Raksha wrote: »

During the period 06/10/07 - 27/12/07 our average gas consumption per day was 58 kWh per day. I don't know how that relates to 'units' but I guess they are the same (1kWh = 1 unit)
HTH

They are not the same as the units on the meter - the meter measure either cubic metres or cubic feet, not kWh.

penrhyn

Raksha wrote: »

During the period 06/10/07 - 27/12/07 our average gas consumption per day was 58 kWh per day. I don't know how that relates to 'units' but I guess they are the same (1kWh = 1 unit)
HTH

NO they are not.
Gas units are either 100's of cubic feet, or Cubic Metres depending upon what kind of meter you have.
These are converted to Kilowatt hours for billing purposes.
The calculation is as follows:-

• Multiply your units used by 2.83 to give you the number of cubic metres of gas used. (If you have a newer metric meter measuring gas in cubic metres you do not need to do this).
• Multiply by the temperature and pressure figure (1.02264).
• Multiply by colorific value (39.25)
• Divide by 3.6 to get the number of kilowatt hours (kWh)

Wickedkitten

What is your thermostat set to?

penrhyn

17 Celsius ATM, but is programmed to go to 20 Celsius around 5pm.

scotsbob

wesb24 wrote: »

I've just received by bill from N-Power, which for gas alone is £750 for a quarter!!!!!! We've used 825 units/26315 KWh. Pretty big, huh?

What troubles me is that I live in a three bed flat, we have a maximum of 7 TRV radiators on. We don't have the heating on until c.7pm and we kill it around 11pm at the latest. The hot water is gas, however we shower, don't take baths and don't have a dishwasher.

The meter has ticked over 30 units in the last two days, so ultimately my question is...

Is my meter broken?!?

Is it possible that the previous reading(s) could have been estimated and therefore underestimated. If so, you may be paying for previous usage as the company is now getting you to pay for units you previously used but didn't pay for. Check your previous bills.

Premier_2

wesb24 wrote: »

...We've used 825 units/26315 KWh. Pretty big, huh?...

Do you have a metric or imperial meter?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/consumer_advice/latest_meters_pic.shtml

You appear to have been charged on an imperial basis

dogshome

Hi webs 24 - The first thing to check is the type of gas meter you have. Look at the front and on it will be either 'M3' for a Metric meter, or 'Ft3' for an Imperial meter.
From the figures you have given of units used, converted to Kw charged, you are almost certainly being charged on the basis of an Imperial meter, which if you have Metric meter makes a huge difference to your bill.:
One Imperial meter unit converts to app. 32.5 chargeabl Kw
One Metric meter unit converts to app. 11.2 chargeable Kw

Having got all that out of the way, your useage does seem high, but there are a huge number of factors that can affect it - is your flat on the top floor with a poorly insualted loft for instance ? What type of Glazing do you have ? Are the outside walls of solid brick ?
Best of Luck