Is my gas usage too low?

LLouiseR

During this current weather I am using 3 units of Gas a week, it hasn't been higher than 5 in the coldest of spells

I live on my own in a semi detached house,built c. 1993. I work 9-5 monday to friday and have a combi boiler which, from the info supplied by the previous owner, was put in at the same time as the house. The heating tends to be on about 1hr in the morning and is on timed between 4pm and 11pm. I say 'on' but the boiler seems not to be on for a long period - it just seems to pump the hot water around. If I'm cold I tend to put on a cardi.

Is anybody else out there having such a low gas usage. When I gave my first meter reading to Swalec I was asked if I had the heating on. Everyone else I know seems to think that its very low. I'm just waiting to be told there's something wrong with the meter......

Cardew

When you say using '3 units of gas' I assume you mean a unit measured on the gas meter??

Depending on your type of gas meter that will mean a gas unit is approx 11kWh or 31kWh; and you are billed with kWh as the the 'unit' they use. So 33kWh or 93kWh for a 3 units a week. -

(last paragraph deleted)

zagfles

Cardew wrote: »

When you say using '3 units of gas' I assume you mean a unit measured on the gas meter??

Depending on your type of gas meter that will mean a gas unit is approx 11kWh or 31kWh; and you are billed with kWh as the the 'unit' they use. So 33kWh or 93kWh for a 3 units a week. -

The Average annual usage works out at approx 60kWh a week - with far more used in winter.

I think average use is more like 60kWh per day, not week !!

[Deleted User]

Sometimes I have found people like you who are getting low bills to have an Imperial meter,cubic ft, but are being billed for a metric meter, cubic metres.If that was the case I think you would be seriously underbilled. Check your meter type matches your billing

zagfles

Sounds very low even if it's an imperial meter. Although perhaps not unfeasibly low.

LLouiseR

Thank you all,

My meter is cubic feet and on average I have used 75 units per week since 1st October last year til last weekend. If 60 is average (for the summer) I suppose its not too bad.

Cardew

LLouiseR wrote: »

Thank you all,

My meter is cubic feet and on average I have used 75 units per week since 1st October last year til last weekend. If 60 is average (for the summer) I suppose its not too bad.

As pointed out above my figure of 60kWh a week was rubbish(I was thinking of electricity). - post amended.

The average annual consumption of GAS is 16,500kWh - so approx 300kWh a week.

To have only used 75kWh a week(approx 2.5 gas units on an Imperial - cubic feet - meter) over winter is exceptionally low. With the summer to come you are in line to use around 3,000kWh a year.

LLouiseR

Thanks again all, I contacted Swalec and they don't seem that concerned as its in line wit my electric usage - which is about £25 per month - and most importantly, the meter dial is still turning. They've said that they will not back bill me if there's aproblem with the meter and as its an imperial meter it will be replaced at some point in the next 5 years.

Terrylw1

I would be careful on the back billing. They may have meant beyond a year inline with the billing code, but they can easily do it for the last year. Then can also decide if its in your favour not to charge anything back which is the old way, but suppliers are getting more clever at recouping costs these days so are updating old practices on faulty meters.

Ken68

Congratulations Louise, you hold the record for least usage.
Best I can do is just below half national average. A conventional tank system though , not a combi , so maybe there is the saving.

PegasusPJ

doesn't sound outrageous to me, I've used 176 unit (cubic feet) since I've switched 20 June so that's about 4 a week average. terraced house, 60s-70s built. recent boiler though.