Abnormal gas usage - single in 1 bedroom flat

adamas_pr

Hello

I moved to the UK a few months ago and I am living alone in a 1 bedroom flat (rented) with a combi boiler for hot water and domestic heating. Now I have been asked by British Gas to provide the first meter reading since I moved in and I was shocked to find that it is 70 times their estimate!!!

In the bill I paid so far, the estimated usage for 4 months (December to end of March) is 12 metric units, which amounts to 138 kWh and, since 1 kWh costs 3.77p, to just 5.20 pounds in total. The meter reading instead gave a usage of 842 metric units during this whole period! This equals to 9376 kWh and so to a bill in excess of 350 pounds (plus VAT plus standing charge...).

Now, I can see that the estimate they have been using in the previous bill is totally unrealistic and I do not know why they set that. When I opened the account they told me that it was based on the previous tenant's consumption and, given my inexperience, I have never paid much attention.

However the actual gas consumption is enormous and I cannot believe it. It would mean 100 pounds per month for a single living in a small flat, 6 calorific metric units per day. I used to take a long hot shower daily and turned on the heating about 1 hour in the morning and a lot more in the evening, from 5pm-6pm to midnight, so about 8 hours per day. Also just now I realize that I set the temperature too high, probably 22-23 deg...

Is there something wrong or the gas usage could end up being so large? I wonder if it may be a gas leak or the old combi boiler not working properly.

Thanks for your feedback.

JJ_Egan

Is it correct you moved in and did not take a meter reading ??
If you did what was it and what shows on the bill .

footyguy

adamas_pr wrote: »

Hello

I moved to the UK a few months ago and I am living alone in a 1 bedroom flat (rented) with a combi boiler for hot water and domestic heating. Now I have been asked by British Gas to provide the first meter reading since I moved in and I was shocked to find that it is 70 times their estimate!!!

In the bill I paid so far, the estimated usage for 4 months (December to end of March) is 12 metric units, which amounts to 138 kWh and, since 1 kWh costs 3.77p, to just 5.20 pounds in total. The meter reading instead gave a usage of 842 metric units during this whole period! This equals to 9376 kWh and so to a bill in excess of 350 pounds (plus VAT plus standing charge...).

Now, I can see that the estimate they have been using in the previous bill is totally unrealistic and I do not know why they set that. When I opened the account they told me that it was based on the previous tenant's consumption and, given my inexperience, I have never paid much attention.

However the actual gas consumption is enormous and I cannot believe it. It would mean 100 pounds per month for a single living in a small flat, 6 calorific metric units per day. I used to take a long hot shower daily and turned on the heating about 1 hour in the morning and a lot more in the evening, from 5pm-6pm to midnight, so about 8 hours per day. Also just now I realize that I set the temperature too high, probably 22-23 deg...

Is there something wrong or the gas usage could end up being so large? I wonder if it may be a gas leak or the old combi boiler not working properly.

Thanks for your feedback.

Do you think the estimated usage over 4 winter months is correct? Think about it.

Without any history of your usage, then they are guessing. Have you considered providing regular meter readings, say once per month?

Use a comparison site to find the best deal for you. Gas currently costs less than 2.5p/kWh from many suppliers, alot cheaper than almost 4p

Pete9501

£350 for heating and hot water during the winter does not equal £100 per month, or £1200 a year if you like. You will probably switch the heating off shortly and not switch it back on until October. So your annual usage will be much lower overall.

Clearly the previous owners readings are nonsense, suggest you shop around for a cheaper supplier and ask for an estimate for a 1 bed property. Best guess would be £50 - £70 a month which means you will be in credit early Winter and a little debit in the Spring.

Oh and turn the heating down, try 20c, turn it off at 11pm and have the boiler serviced if it hasn't been done for a while.

Pete

PasturesNew

adamas_pr wrote: »

I used to take a long hot shower daily and turned on the heating about 1 hour in the morning and a lot more in the evening, from 5pm-6pm to midnight, so about 8 hours per day. Also just now I realize that I set the temperature too high, probably 22-23 deg... .

That's a LOT of heating time. And a high temperature.
I'd die if I had mine on that long/hot!

1-2 hours' heating's enough - then pull a blanket over you
18 degrees is good enough, if you're used to a hot house.

Heating's not cheap. Living alone it's something you can skimp on easily enough.

Turn it down, don't have it on so much.

techno12

I agree - turn it down a bit.

Just checked what I've paid this year for gas in my 2-bed flat and it's

Jan £23
Feb £19
Mar £18

I've had the heating on more or less every day for 6 hours or so, set to 18.5 degrees. I don't use a timer, but switch it on as and when required (I have a Nest thermostat so often switch it on when I'm on my way home).

I've turned down the radiator TRVs in some areas, eg it's pointless heating the hallway as I'm hardly ever in it.

Heating is off now until November. During this time I tend to pay around £5 a month for gas, including standing charge (shower and gas hob use only).

I did buy a new boiler last summer, so I used to pay a fair bit more, as my old boiler had an 'always on' pilot light burning money 24/7