Working out your gas/electric bill

doubleug

Hint to energy companies-when buying petrol-consumers put the pump nozzle in their tanks--press the trigger and the dials show the amount "bought". Job done.

I would have to take a day off work to calculate just how much my gas/electric bill is going to be this coming feb. The calculation formula supplied by Npower( and all the companies) is far too complex and riddled with caveats to be of value--and impossible to compare when their "actual" bill arrives.

IS THERE A QUICK WAY OF NOTIONALLY WORKING IT OUT?
WHO UNDERSTANDS IT? WHO DOESN'T UNDERSTAND IT? WHY CAN'T A SIMPLE PROCESS BE DEVISED?

Nada666

What is complicated? It is a simple process.

Electricity bill:
difference in readings is number of kWhs. multiply that by the price. also have an idea of the monthly standing charge (whether using just a 30 day month or a 365/12 day month)

Gas bill:
fancy calculation comes out to a variable constant (eh?). On an imperial gas meter one meter unit is about 32 kWh whereas with a metric meter all the numbers end up at about 11.2.

Just multiply the difference in meter readings for your gas by 11.2 or 32 to convert to kWhs.

JJ_Egan

As above elect easy gas slightly more complicated .

MSE could really do with a basics utility FAQ/ Guide for those that do not understand all this stuff on all utilities mobile phones etc .

[Deleted User]

Why can't they just bring out gas meters where 1 unit is 1 unit like electric meters.

lvf

Deleted_User wrote: »

Why can't they just bring out gas meters where 1 unit is 1 unit like electric meters.

Because not all gas burns in the same way. There is always going to be differences in the amount of gas used in the property. This is shown on your bill as the 'Calorific Value', which is a value between 37.0 and 42.0.

So, as this is varied depending on the gas sent to your property, the amount would not always be exactly 1kWh. If it was for the first bill, then the calorific value changes, essentially you would need your meter altering. However, if they ever work out the kinks in the "Smart" meters, they will (should) show you an ongoing gas spend.