Gas bill - am I reading it right?

Denene

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!

Old_Git

are you sure your meter readings are correct

Denene

Old_Git wrote: »

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.

waltsalt

I live in a 3 bedroom mid-terrace and I only used about 6500 kWh for an entire year (heating, DHW and cooking).

Denene

waltsalt wrote: »

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.

Nada666

£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?

mollsnan

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.