High gas use - advice please

nessa1422

My elderly mum's autumn gas bill has come in for £179.98 with gas use of 3533.74 kWh. For the same period last year the bill was £63.07 with use of 667.20.
If anything, she's had the heating on less this year, on average maybe 1hour per day. It's a mid terrace 3 bed house.
She has spoken with someone on the phone, but didn't get anywhere and I wondered what the next step should be as the usage seems very high to me.
She's with British Gas by the way.
Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

McKneff

is she on the same tariff as last year, something is definitely wrong somewhere.

nessa1422

Hi,
No, same as last year. Just didn't seem right to me, and she didn't get anywhere when phoning.
Just wondered how I could best help her really.
Thanks.

oldskoo1

Her thermostat should be on 21c for her age

What about hot water, is that timed too? Should heat the average cylinder to 60c within 40mins

It sounds like she might be in debit and the bill had risen significantly to cover that and winter

MK55

Your utility company cannot tell you why have used more, only give you a little guidance. You have had 2 price increases since then for Gas, I would check thermostat see how it is set.

nessa1422

Ok, thanks. Will check thermostat temp.
Settings haven't changed in the last year. Heating used to be on a timer but since she's been on her own she just puts on the heat when she wants.
I would expect the price to have risen considerably, but the hugely inflated usage is what doesn't seem right.

penrhyn

Has she had her meter changed?

nessa1422

No, same meter. Nothing's changed so far as I know.

oldskoo1

Could I suggest you put if back on timed?

With the best intentions if she is controlling it she may be forgetting to switch it back off again.

Other things to check are gas hobs / cookers in operation.

flashnazia

Was last year's bill estimated or was any of it calculated on an estimated reading?

Joyful

Another point is this year is colder than last.