Excess Gas Consumption

aola123

Hi, I noticed we used about 2 units of gas every day which amount to about 60 units of gas every month. It's a one-bed apartment and we are just two. We use gas for gas fire in the sitting room and cooking only.

We put on the gas fire most times during the day to warm the sitting room.

I believe we are using too much gas every day. Please what can we do?

Robin9

@aola123 Put this into context  - 60 units as read by the meter is about 670 kWh.  @3p this is £20.   


For this £20 you are getting all your heating, water heating and cooking.   Sounds like a bargain.


Come the summer  - you switch the gas fire off - you'll find your consumption will halve.

brewerdave

If the "units" are m3 ,then it only equates to ~ 680kwh per month . Should only cost £20pm plus s/c of say £7. Seems good for the current cold spell. 
Not so good if it is 100scuft  rather than metric. Haven't used a gas fire for ~ 25 years but they aren't very efficient so if you are using all the time then perhaps time to invest in some thick jumpers ??

Gerry1

Or £57 if it's an Imperial meter.

What is the kWh price and daily charge, inc VAT?

Have you shopped around for a better tariff?

MWT

Also note that gas fires are relatively inefficient, so your consumption is entirely believable given how cold it has been this winter.

aola123

The meter is measured in ft. Price is 2.69p/kWh. Standing charge at 19.47p/day

Gerry1 said:

Or £57 if it's an Imperial meter.

What is the kWh price and daily charge, inc VAT?

Have you shopped around for a better tariff?

aola123

MWT said:

Also note that gas fires are relatively inefficient, so your consumption is entirely believable given how cold it has been this winter.

So any other alternative to stay warm?

Robin9

@aola123      Have you got a gas boiler that heats the hot water ? Does it also feed some radiators ?   If so that will be cheaper than a gas fire.

EDIT - where are you getting your consumption of 2 units from   -  an estimated bill ?  or have you been reading  your meter (hopefully) ? 

Gerry1

The tariff seems reasonable, so probably only limited saving would be available. Do you have conventional gas central heating with radiators?

aola123

Robin9 said:

@aola123      Have you got a gas boiler that heats the hot water ? Does it also feed some radiators ?   If so that will be cheaper than a gas fire.

EDIT - where are you getting your consumption of 2 units from   -  an estimated bill ?  or have you been reading  your meter (hopefully) ? 

I have been reading my gas meter daily for the past 7 days, that's when I noticed it was high. Their estimated bill put me far below my monthly usage.

The gas powers the gas fire and cooking gas only. The boiler that supplies hot water to the house is powered by electricity and I only put that on for an hour daily.

Gerry1

aola123 said:

Robin9 said:

@aola123      Have you got a gas boiler that heats the hot water ? Does it also feed some radiators ?   If so that will be cheaper than a gas fire.

EDIT - where are you getting your consumption of 2 units from   -  an estimated bill ?  or have you been reading  your meter (hopefully) ?

The gas powers the gas fire and cooking gas only. The boiler that supplies hot water to the house is powered by electricity and I only put that on for an hour daily.

Presumably you mean an immersion heater?  Might be worth switching to an Economy 7 tariff.  If it's not cheaper it's not a problem because many suppliers will bill both registers at the same single rate.

Otherwise it's the usual advice to send monthly meter readings, gusesstimating your annual consumption and comparing tariffs with Citizens Advice and 'Which? Switch'.

Just compare annual costs, always ignore all projections and savings claims.  Remember that separate suppliers are often cheaper than dual fuel, so do the sums for both cases.  Also have a look at the customer service ratings on Citizens Advice and the 'Add your feedback on energy supplier xxxx...' threads here on the forum.