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Very High Gas usage
Okay my wife and I live in a 4 bedroom bungalow. We had a new boiler installed two months ago to replace our 14 year old Icos HE 24.The heating is set to come on at 4.00pm and go off at 10.00 pm. The hot water is set to come on for an hour in the evening and a couple of hours in the morning; it heats a hot water tank.
I had hoped to see a reduction on usage but sadly not.
We have most of the radiators turned either off or on a low setting.
The mrs prefers to sit in the evening with her cats in our sun room, it is on open plan with the kitchen, it has a tiled roof and mostly glass walls. It is a cold area to heat with a smaller radiator in the kitchen a long narrow one in the sun room.
The gas usage for the last 4 weeks was 4233kWh.
Our supplier is Iresa and our meter reads in ft3, and the calculations are being worked out correctly.
We also own a rental 2 bedroom flat, it has metric gas meter (m3) and usage is a sixth of what we’re using.
When the boiler is off the meter does not move at all, so no leaks.
Is it possible that our old ft3 gas meter is running faster than it should or am I just being a old scrooge as usual.
I had hoped to see a reduction on usage but sadly not.
We have most of the radiators turned either off or on a low setting.
The mrs prefers to sit in the evening with her cats in our sun room, it is on open plan with the kitchen, it has a tiled roof and mostly glass walls. It is a cold area to heat with a smaller radiator in the kitchen a long narrow one in the sun room.
The gas usage for the last 4 weeks was 4233kWh.
Our supplier is Iresa and our meter reads in ft3, and the calculations are being worked out correctly.
We also own a rental 2 bedroom flat, it has metric gas meter (m3) and usage is a sixth of what we’re using.
When the boiler is off the meter does not move at all, so no leaks.
Is it possible that our old ft3 gas meter is running faster than it should or am I just being a old scrooge as usual.
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Comments
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How does the gas consumption compare with the old boiler, or have you just started checking it now you've got a shiny new one and got scared about how much gas you are using.Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large numbers0
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No these are actual readings taken by me.The consumption was high before but if anyhing slightly higher now.0
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It is high but not excessively so considering the time of year. However, I can see why you have questioned the usage.
You can get the meter tested for accuracy but a significant amount of meters that are tested are found to be working correctly.
Usually if a gas meter is faulty it will continue registering usage even when everything is turned off. Therefore, as you have explained that the gas meter is not registering when everything is turned off, this gives me a gut feeling that the meter is probably fine and not faulty.
However, don't be put off from having the meter tested for accuracy if you are worried about the accuracy of it as a faulty meter is not unheard of and can happen.
Your supplier may ask for a payment for having the meter tested (cost for a meter accuracy test varies significantly per supplier - some sometimes do it at no cost - I have no idea what Iresa charge or if they do the test at no cost) but that payment would be refunded to you if it is found to be faulty. If it is not faulty then at least you have the peace of mind of knowing - only you can decide whether or not to proceed with a test.
The gas meter would be tested by an independent meter examiner approved by Ofgem. Your gas meter would be exchanged for a new meter and the current gas meter sent off for testing. This is the only way to test the accuracy of gas meter - electric meters can be tested on site.0 -
On a side note, the gas meter must be in excess of 30 years old. Aren’t meters supposed to be replaced every 20 years.It is the original gas meter; the electric one was replaced 15 years ago.
I have asked Iresa if they will replace the meter for a new metric one. If they refuse, can I insist on a new smart one?
I have no idea how smart ones work, do they work in conjunction with your current meter and take the readings from it or would be old one be no longer needed and the new smart meter be a direct replaced to run on its own ???0 -
Age is not an issue - they used to be replaced, tested and recallibrated and used again. Today meters are so cheap they are scrapped.
Smart meters are a complete replacement.
What were your actual meter readings in ft3 before you adjusted to kwh ?Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill0 -
Okay my wife and I live in a 4 bedroom bungalow. We had a new boiler installed two months ago to replace our 14 year old Icos HE 24.The heating is set to come on at 4.00pm and go off at 10.00 pm. The hot water is set to come on for an hour in the evening and a couple of hours in the morning; it heats a hot water tank.
I had hoped to see a reduction on usage but sadly not.
We have most of the radiators turned either off or on a low setting.
The mrs prefers to sit in the evening with her cats in our sun room, it is on open plan with the kitchen, it has a tiled roof and mostly glass walls. It is a cold area to heat with a smaller radiator in the kitchen a long narrow one in the sun room.
The gas usage for the last 4 weeks was 4233kWh.
Our supplier is Iresa and our meter reads in ft3, and the calculations are being worked out correctly.
We also own a rental 2 bedroom flat, it has metric gas meter (m3) and usage is a sixth of what we’re using.
When the boiler is off the meter does not move at all, so no leaks.
Is it possible that our old ft3 gas meter is running faster than it should or am I just being a old scrooge as usual.
The footprint of a bungalow is always higher than a house and as such heat does not rise to warm the upper levels.
Comparing property usage is pointless, it’s like comparing the running costs of cars.
Gas meters very rarely go wrong, chances are you are using the energy.
Check your thermostats, the higher they are set, the more gas you use,hence, the higher your bill will be.Be happy, it's the greatest wealth
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welshmoneylover wrote: »The footprint of a bungalow is always higher than a house and as such heat does not rise to warm the upper levels.
Comparing property usage is pointless, it’s like comparing the running costs of cars.
Gas meters very rarely go wrong, chances are you are using the energy.
Check your thermostats, the higher they are set, the more gas you use,hence, the higher your bill will be.
Your are probably right,but I see no harm in asking for a new smart meter as they have to fit those free,or so I am led to believe.0
This discussion has been closed.
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