High Gas Usage

theoretica

I am sorry, I don't think it is an imperial/metric mix up - if your meter is in (100s) of cubic feet then the BG calculation is correct. 

It is if someone has a metric meter and they apply the imperial calculation that leads to over charging.

HannahN888

Ah yes, i have used the calculation tool and it seems the correct amount

This is leaving me still puzzled to why its so high

HannahN888

I am not sure if my meter is in (100s) or not, here is a picture of my meter if it helps?

merchcon55

Something to consider: Is your meter recording gas for only your flat? Is there a way that you can say for a 24 hr period use electric heat (I know more expensive) and use absolutely no gas at all? If you can do this,take a meter reading at the start of your "shut down period" and then another reading 24 hours later. If you have not used any gas, your meter should remain the same (possibly a little movement if your boiler uses a pilot light). 

As a rough estimate every full digit (so 3166.7 to 3167.7) on a cu ft meter is just under 32KWh.
Every 32 full digits is a bit over 1000KWh - it's not an exact calculation, but gives you a quick number to work with.

132 gas units would be 4198 KWh, say +/- 20 (that's where the calorific value comes into play)

BTW, what type of boiler? (I just reread you said combi)Are radiators too small for room size - this would mean boiler is always working full blast trying to keep the room warm - therefore not efficient.

3 Bedrooms - do you require heat in all 3 rooms? Do radiators have TRV that you can set lower in bedrooms when not in use? 

QrizB

HannahN888 said:

I am not sure if my meter is in (100s) or not, here is a picture of my meter if it helps?

Yes, that meter records (hundreds of) cubic feet.

Does the serial number on your meter match the one on your bill?

Gerry1

[Deleted User] said:

Hi,

Hannah here's a wee GADGET can help convert usage.

@[Deleted User] Not a good site to use because it contains some seriously bad advice.

Apart from being unable to spell 'metres', they've forgotten that Imperial meters record in hundreds of cubic feet if you read them as instructed.  So you'd need to multiply your reading by 2.83 (as the energy companies do) and not by 0.0283.

[Deleted User]

Gerry1 said:

@frugalmacdugal Not a good site to use because it contains some seriously bad advice.

Hi,

oops, thanks Gerry, I've removed it.

FreeBear

HannahN888 said: The flat is a top floor flat in a renovated old house with single glaze windows and brick walls. It is a 3 bedroom flat with currently 2 occupants and a combi boiler.

I checked the EPC rating and the estimated average consumption for the flat is 14351 which sounds more understandable.

The only things i have identified which cold be causing loss in heat are cracks in some of the window pains, a couple of vents in the house & experiencing drops in hot water pressure throughout the day.

As we are renting we are unable to modify anything, so i am not sure how to get to the bottom of what is causing such a high usage.

What rating does the EPC give for your flat ?

Single glazed windows will let a ton of heat out - Your best bet would be to hang some thick thermal curtains and make sure they are tucked behind the radiators. It would be better if the landlord can get double glazing fitted - He certainly needs to fix any cracked/broken glass.

Insulating the loft and walls would also help, but it is highly unlikely the LL will get the work done until you either move out or legislation compels him to.

EssexHebridean

If this is a rented flat then I bet there's a decent chance that if it still has S/G windows (and poorly maintained ones at that) it's also lacking the required amount of insulation in the roof space as well. 

I second the suggestion to hang thick curtains - you can make a bit of a difference without huge cost by buying cheap fleece blankets and stitching those in as linings. I believe you can also get stuff that's designed to improve the performance of single glazing too. Check round the window frames too - is there cold air coming in through those/ If so nip to your local DIY store and get some of that foam stick-on strip stuff you apply to window and door frames to help close up gaps. The temperature in our office (an old bank building with huge windows and a poorly fitting front door) has been improved massively using that stuff - it's actually astonishing the difference! 

Another trick with curtains - if they hang down in front of window sills then roll them up and put them on the sill when you pull them - it helps to stop heat vanishing up underneath them and heading out through the glass. 

HannahN888

Thanks for the curtain tips! I will look into see what we can do to seal the windows, standing near them you can feel the draft!

The EPC rating for the flat in D (65) with the windows and walls rated very poor so it is likely this is where we are loosing heat