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Gas bill - am I reading it right?

Denene
Posts: 131 Forumite
in N. Ireland
Hello,
I've never had gas before, but my new house does, so when I moved in in November, I signed up with Firmus and gave them a meter reading. They suggested a DD £60/month based on what the previous owners (a family of 4) had used. It's a 4-bed mid-terrace, and I'm the only occupant.
The heating is gas, and goes on for about 1.5 hours a couple of times a day. I left the thermostat at the defaults of about 18/19 degrees. The hob gets used 2/3 times a week, and hot water for 3/4 showers and washing dishes 3/4 times a week.
This week I submitted a new meter reading and received my quarterly bill. Apparently I've used 575 units or 6528 kWh. The total was £259.85 :eek: minus £60 DD x 2 minus a couple of discounts, which gives me a new balance of £134.85. The February DD hasn't come off yet, but that still seems to leave me owing them £75 more.
Is this normal? As I've always had oil in the past, I have no idea what the standard is, but I can't understand how I've used so much more than the previous occupants seemingly did. Of course, it's entirely possible I've got something completely wrong!
Help!
I've never had gas before, but my new house does, so when I moved in in November, I signed up with Firmus and gave them a meter reading. They suggested a DD £60/month based on what the previous owners (a family of 4) had used. It's a 4-bed mid-terrace, and I'm the only occupant.
The heating is gas, and goes on for about 1.5 hours a couple of times a day. I left the thermostat at the defaults of about 18/19 degrees. The hob gets used 2/3 times a week, and hot water for 3/4 showers and washing dishes 3/4 times a week.
This week I submitted a new meter reading and received my quarterly bill. Apparently I've used 575 units or 6528 kWh. The total was £259.85 :eek: minus £60 DD x 2 minus a couple of discounts, which gives me a new balance of £134.85. The February DD hasn't come off yet, but that still seems to leave me owing them £75 more.
Is this normal? As I've always had oil in the past, I have no idea what the standard is, but I can't understand how I've used so much more than the previous occupants seemingly did. Of course, it's entirely possible I've got something completely wrong!
Help!

0
Comments
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are you sure your meter readings are correct"Do not regret growing older, it's a privilege denied to many"0
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are you sure your meter readings are correct
As far as I can tell, yes. Unfortunately, I gave the initial reading over the phone and can't find the note I made at the time. I've checked the meter again this evening, and it's increased a few units from the reading I took earlier in the week.0 -
I live in a 3 bedroom mid-terrace and I only used about 6500 kWh for an entire year (heating, DHW and cooking).0
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I live in a 3 bedroom mid-terrace and I only used about 6500 kWh for an entire year (heating, DHW and cooking).
Thanks, waltsalt. It's good to have something to compare to. If I am using that much, I need to figure what it's being used on so I can stop!
I think I'll need to turn the heating off for a few days to see what difference that makes - provided it doesn't get too cold again.0 -
£260 is not at all high for the winter quarter nor is 6,700 kWh. You should expect winter months to be at least two and a half to three times summer months. It is still possible for you to average to £60 over the whole year.
Are there thermostats on radiators in the rooms you don't use that can be turned down?0 -
I had gas installed last year, 3 bed, 2 reception semi. £65 per month dd to phoenix (as was). I recieved £72 credit at the end of the year.I read my meter every month, and have estimated that I am still within the amount I have paid to date from September. I am at home all day, heating has been on from early morning til evening in the past month or two. I do not scrimp on usage, but I know that the lower usage from about April onwards will offset any higher usage during particularly cold spells. This is why I prefer to pay a set amount each month, so that in the colder ones I am not left having to find extra cash to keep warm.0
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