Gas bill - Does this sound right?

omidaverde

Forgive if I'm a bit stupid/naive... when we moved into our new flat we were told to expect bills of around 50-60 per month for gas and electric. As we were paying 50 at our old flat (electric only) this sounded about right to us.

Since we moved in we have had a bill for £33 electricity, which was what we were expecting, but £46 for a month's gas!

We aren't loose with these kinds of things so we were shocked, but decided to cut back even more the past few days and only put the heating on for 20-30 minutes a day. We ran 1-2 loads of washing at 30 degrees for 50 minutes. Our shower is electric. Yet our meter still says £4.50+ for 3 days usage even with our cuts which would still be around £46 per month. Is this right? Or could we have a leak? We have smelt gas faintly near the boiler at times when going to put it on.

Also we tried to get a cheaper tariff but were told we don't have enough meter readings yet to do so. Can they do this? We are with British Gas.

Unit rate
4.03p per kWh
Standing charge
26.01p per day

Robin9

Are the readings Actual or Estimated ?

Autumnella

If you can smell gas or have smelled gas at any time in or around your property or think you may have a leak you need to isolate your gas supply and call the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999.

omidaverde

The readings are based on the one we did day of moving in, then our own readings entered on to the website. Doubled checked the process and all numbers entered to make sure I did it right.

molerat

omidaverde wrote: »

Unit rate
4.03p per kWh
Standing charge
26.01p per day

:eek:
I am currently paying 1.913p + 26.25p including VAT and am paying around £20 per month over summer with having the hw on for around 6hrs and the heating on to heat up the towel rail for around 4 hours.

Get yourself on a better tariff.

Take meter reads and post up here. Check you are being billed correctly with regards to metric or imperial metering.

omidaverde

Autumnella wrote: »

If you can smell gas or have smelled gas at any time in or around your property or think you may have a leak you need to isolate your gas supply and call the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999.

Thanks I just asked the landlord when the boiler was last checked, waiting on a rely.
I have a family member who is a trained gas engineer and he told me to do a reading before going to bed and then straight away in the morning before using any gas.
Also checking our carbon monoxide detector now to make sure it's working.
If things don't check out will definitely be getting someone in to take a look.

omidaverde

Readings:

1st Aug - 05847
12th Aug - 05850 (33 kWh used)
1st Sept - 05927 (871 kWh used)
2nd Sept - 05931 (45 kWh used)
6th Sept - 05932 (11 kWh used)
9th Sept - 05937 (57 kWh used)

molerat

omidaverde wrote: »

Thanks I just asked the landlord when the boiler was last checked, waiting on a rely.

That is an easy one - it will be on the landlord gas safety check that he must have given you a copy of before you moved in by law, a criminal offence not to have done !!

Cardew

but decided to cut back even more the past few days and only put the heating on for 20-30 minutes a day.
-
-We have smelt gas faintly near the boiler at times when going to put it on.

You have had the heating on in August? Or do you mean the boiler on for hot water?

What do you mean by going to the boiler to put it on? Isn't it controlled by a timer?

Some older boilers have pilot lights that are like 'flame throwers' and people have reported that they use over 10kWh a day.

Incidentally very few washing machines have a hot water feed these days - they and dishwashers are cold water feed.

footyguy

omidaverde wrote: »

Forgive if I'm a bit stupid/naive... when we moved into our new flat we were told to expect bills of around 50-60 per month for gas and electric. As we were paying 50 at our old flat (electric only) this sounded about right to us.

Since we moved in we have had a bill for £33 electricity, which was what we were expecting, but £46 for a month's gas!

We aren't loose with these kinds of things so we were shocked, but decided to cut back even more the past few days and only put the heating on for 20-30 minutes a day. We ran 1-2 loads of washing at 30 degrees for 50 minutes. Our shower is electric. Yet our meter still says £4.50+ for 3 days usage even with our cuts which would still be around £46 per month. Is this right? Or could we have a leak? We have smelt gas faintly near the boiler at times when going to put it on.

Also we tried to get a cheaper tariff but were told we don't have enough meter readings yet to do so. Can they do this? We are with British Gas.

Unit rate
4.03p per kWh
Standing charge
26.01p per day

I don't know who told you this, but that was incorrect information.

Consult a comparison site to find a better deal for you.
If you did that, you will see you do not need actual consumption figures, although it is true that the most accurate results are obtained if you do have those figures.
So if you switch, keep an eye on things and when you do have the required consumption figures, do another check.
In any event, it would be wise to regularly check a comparison site, to ensure you remain on the best deal as prices/tariffs are continually being changed/introduced.

footyguy

molerat wrote: »

That is an easy one - it will be on the landlord gas safety check that he must have given you a copy of before you moved in by law, a criminal offence not to have done !!

Agreed, and I get the feeling the OP knew this already

Does this sound right? - I think we all know the answer to that one now.

So, all it remains now is for me to wish the OP the very best of luck! :cool: