I think I have been really dumb :(

TGray

I think I have horribly miscalculated my energy requirements and have ended up with a huge bill that I have to clear. I would appreciate anyone confirming what I have done wrong and that my corrections will ensure I don't do it again.

1. Used Cheap energy club to switch in Oct 17
2. Used KwH as my assessment of energy use.
3. Put units used over the previous year straight in to the KWH box.

I have just realised that to get KWh you need to do a set of calcs from your meter readings. Yep dumb.

Since this time last year I have used 3879 Gas and 4873 Electric

So can anyone confirm that my KWH calcs below are correct or not because the gas seems horrifically high.

1. My understanding is Electric is just the meter reading as it is a new metric reader so KWH = 4873

2. Gas is (Units * Volume correction * Calorific Value)/3.6

(No conversion because it says M3 on the front of the meter.)

This is (3879*1.02264*39.4)/3.6 = 43,414

(The house was built in 1906 if that helps)

Confirmation of idiocy and numbers welcome. Thanks in advance.

beardiedog

323 units average per month for gas seems high.

I use approx 110 per month for a 3 bedroom detached.

The_Hawk

Your gas calculation looks as if its correct, assuming your units figure is correct.

However, I agree with beardiedog, your gas usage seems very high.

ajbell

Thats 43000 kwh of gas, are you sure?
Even the electricity is high.

TGray

Thank you for the replies.

The house is a draughty old Edwardian 5 bed with exposed floorboards and solid walls. Bought in spring 2017, had to replace boiler in summer 2017, now have a Nest system controlling it (which I am not sure works properly anyway). Gradually going around sealing around the double glazing (its not sealed around the edges so kinda pointless), draught proofing the chimneys, getting/making heavier curtains etc.

Should I get the boiler guys back to check the boiler? They have done the 1 year service. Or is is just the old house, that's what they all do?

atherlon

Have you had the house reinsulated , I think you can get it done free with a government scheme

System

atherlon wrote: »

I think you can get it done free with a government scheme

Still waiting for the Govt to legislate but this is what is being posted:

ECO3 qualifying benefits:

Pension Guarantee Credit
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
Severe Disablement Allowance
Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits)*
Universal Credit*
Child benefit*
Disability Benefits (specific benefits listed below)

Social Housing properties with EPC ratings of E, F or G can qualify for ECO funding regardless of the resident’s benefits eligibility. The measures available however, are limited to insulation and first time central heating systems.

TGray

Thanks again for info and replies

None of the legislation applies to me. The house has a top floor that was there when the house was built. Previous owner redid the rooms and we hope has put in insulation (there are bits that we can get to/see and there seems to be insulation there).

I don't think I have any gas leaks as the boiler people should have picked that up, yes?

The boiler manual should be able to tell me how much gas it uses when it is on shouldn't it? That way I can calculate the time it is on by the usage and get an idea of how much the thing is using. I have a gas cooker too but I use 2 rings for cooking usually, oven maybe 3 times a week.

grumpycrab

TGray wrote: »

The house is a draughty old Edwardian 5 bed with exposed floorboards and solid walls.

ajbell wrote: »

Thats 43000 kwh of gas, are you sure?
Even the electricity [4873 kwh] is high.

Electric sounds ok to me, gas is very high. Guessing somebody's in the property 24/7? All bedrooms in use? TRVs on bedroom rads?

TGray

Nope, 2 working people plus cats.

TRVs turned to 2 on non frequently used rooms.

Just wondering if the damn Nest is putting the heating on for the cats

Currently don't have the app as my phone isn't android or apple. Gonna change my phone and start monitoring the damn thing.

Norman_Castle

I have just realised that to get KWh you need to do a set of calcs from your meter readings. Yep dumb.

Since this time last year I have used 3879 Gas and 4873 Electric

Your bill should show annual consumption based on the previous years usage.


In a draughty house stopping the drafts is the easiest and cheapest way of reducing heating bills. Sealing around every window shouldn't take more than an hour or two. If all of the floors are just boards with gaps between they will be very draughty. Blocking holes with screwed up plastic bags as a temporary measure will be worthwhile.