Oil Filled Radiator after £505 Gas Bill!

DebbieMum

good_advice wrote: »

I think it is to much sitting in one place, you need to move around and do a few choirs.
My house at the moment is 18.5C and I am fine.

I agree, when up and moving it's fine, but sitting at computer (I'm an editor of a publication) that's when I feel the cold.

notbritishgas

You say you had a new meter fitted last april, now high bills and new meters start the alarm bells ringing.

The new meter will be a metric one, make sure you are not being billed for an imperial one.
Just tell us some meter readings from the high bill and the kwh figures they have converted to and someone will check.

rogerblack

DebbieMum wrote: »

I agree, when up and moving it's fine, but sitting at computer (I'm an editor of a publication) that's when I feel the cold.

Cheat!
If your core temperature is fine, then you feel the cold _lots_ less.

There are several options.
A) Layers.
More layers
C) Heated throw/blanket/...

At the moment, I'm sitting here in the lounge, at 10C or so.
I have on a couple of t-shirts, and a couple of thin sweatshirts, as well as leggings, and jeans.
I'm sitting on the sofa, which has an electric pad under me.
I'm quite warm.
(Ok, my nose is cold).

If you are hot internally, then your body does not attempt to conserve heat - it will keep your extremities warm, and you don't really feel cold.

If you start to chill, your body tries to conserve heat, and your hands and feet rapidly cool off as bloodflow is restricted.

Keep your core temperature up - a heating pad or throw _really_ helps with this, very, very inexpensively.

DebbieMum

The readings are below, however we've had HUGE problems with British Gas. They virtually moved us out of where we are living into an imaginary house next door at a number that doesn't exist but forgot to tell us..... British Gas were sending threatening letters to "The Occupier" in this imaginary house next door.... all because the National Grid said the property we are in doesn't exist... Obviously we are here and finally it was sorted but caused a lot of grief. As you can see the summer months are ok, but between August to December it's an enormous amount.

19 Dec 2012 01709 Customer read 5550.00 12 Dec 2012 01208 Estimated 2817.00 05 Nov 2012 00955 Estimated 4354.00 07 Sep 2012 00563 Meter Reader 122.00 29 Aug 2012 00552 IVR Customer Reading 1352.00 07 Jun 2012 00429 Meter Reader 653.00 18 May 2012 00369 Customer read 4057.00 13 Apr 2012 00000 Customer read


This reading was taken from the online Meter Reading Statement

DebbieMum

@notbritishgas Ah that didn't format well, lets try again!!! Sorry about that.

19 Dec 2012 01709 Customer read 5550.00
12 Dec 2012 01208 Estimated 2817.00
05 Nov 2012 00955 Estimated 4354.00
07 Sep 2012 00563 Meter Reader 122.00
29 Aug 2012 00552 IVR Customer Reading 1352.00
07 Jun 2012 00429 Meter Reader 653.00
18 May 2012 00369 Customer read 4057.00
13 Apr 2012 00000 Customer read

notbritishgas

Ah sorry to raise your hopes, you are being billed for a metric meter.

DebbieMum

notbritishgas wrote: »

Ah sorry to raise your hopes, you are being billed for a metric meter.

It was worth a shot @notbritishgas so thank you for trying to help, guessing it's down to problem with thermostat. Since sitting here this morning feeling cold with layers and blanket I thought it was feeling warmer, went to the radiator and its stonking hot again! Thermostat is set to 20 but already reading on wall says 21.5 degrees. Have reset it all over again and ordered an oil filled radiator so I don't have this worry about boiler trying to heat the house. Now all I need is a money tree to help pay off the gas bill.....

Thank you everyone for your input, an oil filled radiator seems the best course of action

rogerblack

DebbieMum wrote: »

Thank you everyone for your input, an oil filled radiator seems the best course of action

Do note that cheap radiators work as well as expensive ones.

good_advice

Debbie, I sometimes fill a hot water bottle when it is realy cold and have it on my lap.

macman

good_advice wrote: »

I think it is to much sitting in one place, you need to move around and do a few choirs.
My house at the moment is 18.5C and I am fine.

That would definitely warm you up...