Cubic Metres? - Errors in reading?

Tama_J

Hi guys,

Recently moved into this property, and having a little bit of confusion with the gas meter.. Not sure if I'm mis-reading it, as it appears to me that we're currently using a ridiculous amount of gas per month! - A value of 259 'cubic metres' (units?) to be precise...

I think I'm getting conversions wrong, though. The meter reads in "m3" (cubic metres) of gas.. And I'm not sure what the past ones read in - I just took the number and converted it using the following calculation with no problem:

Units x 2.83 x 1.0226400 x 38.9 / 3.6

This'd give the kWh - and, hence, I could calculate how much it's costing us. However, if I apply this formula to the figures I'm getting from this new meter... It seems to suggest we're going to be spending in the region of £3000+ keeping our small house warm this year :eek:.

Am I calculating incorrectly? I did see a calculation elsewhere that suggested that cubic metres are converted to kWh using a different formula... Something along the lines of:

Cubic Metres x 11.2

Which of these is correct? Evidently the latter one makes much more sense... But I can't help worrying that the heating system here (or gas meter) has somehow gone haywire - and I'm going to end up paying thousands of pounds for a reasonable use of gas! (2 hours in the morning, and 4 hours in the evening when it gets cold.)

Can someone please help clarify the situation before I worry myself to death ?

J

far

Not sure of the top of my head but I believe the 2.83 is the imperial to metric conversion factor so, if your meter measures in metres cubed (m3) you do not multiply by that - just the rest. I.e. Units on meter x 1.0226400 x 38.9 / 3.6. Hope this helps.

EDIT: Just double checked this and it is correct. In other words, drop the mutliplication by 2.83 as that is only applicable if you have an imperal (cubic feet) meter.

Terrylw1

Hi,

This thread should explain the calculations for you as a previous poster asked pretty much the same.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=593724

Tama_J

Damn, do I feel like an idiot now! Worrying over nothing - I thought as much . Cheers for the help - much appreciated.

J

Cardew

The caloric value of gas varies, so it is not possible to give an accurate figure for every supply.

I think the complex looking calculation puts some people off. However a ballpark figure is 1 unit on an Imperial(cu ft) meter is 31 to 34kWh and on a Metric(cu mtr) meter 1 unit is 11 to 12kWh

If you use a figure of 33kWh or 11.5kWh you won't be far out.