Gas Meter Readings - M3 or IMP KWH?

wibbler

I've noticed that comparison sites ask for KWH, but for gas I've noticed I've been submitting the metres cubed (m3) figure for YEARS. Also, my smart meter reports the m3 number automatically. Is this wrong? Am I under or overpaying because of it? Why hasn't anyone noticed? Confused!

Netexporter

You can find the conversion formula on your bill. The reason for this is because the calorific value varies, so a given volume of gas will give a different amount of heat at different times.

Industrial users also have a device called a corrector, attached to the meter, which accounts for variations in temperature and atmospheric pressure, which can make a significant difference when you are using very large volumes of gas.

wibbler

Thanks. So I'm correct that I should have been reporting the gas m3? And if so, is that also what I should be typing in the comparison engines?

Mobtr

The readings are correct, they get converted to kwh on your bill. If you read your bill it will be there. It’s only you that hasn’t noticed. One unit on your meter is equivalent to roughly 11.2kwh 

[Deleted User]

All gas meters record the volume of the gas used. Old meters were in imperial units (cubic feet) and modern meters are in metric (cubic metres). Your supplier converts your meter M3 into kWh using the calculation shown on your statement. The calculation takes into account the average calorific value of the gas supplied during the billing period. You are not under or overpaying.

Netexporter

And if so, is that also what I should be typing in the comparison engines?

kWh. It is the standard unit for measuring energy.

QrizB

wibbler said:

Thanks. So I'm correct that I should have been reporting the gas m3?

Gas meter readings are in cubic metres, unless you have an ancient meter that reads in hundreds of cubic feet.

Gas billing is in kWh, as converted by your supplier using the formula on your bill.

wibbler said:

And if so, is that also what I should be typing in the comparison engines?

Comparison engines want annual kWh from your bill, not cubic metres from your meter.

Scot_39

1 m3 = 11kW

But strongly suspect unlikely its wrong on your bills.

Have a look at an actual gas bill as they generally use volume and a variable current (some update at least annually) estimate for calorific value.

As a rule smart meters and ihd only use a nominal calorific value as an approximation to kWh and price.

And depending on gas mix - can easily be few % out - and different suppliers have had differing values by a couple of percent for the same periodic past.

wibbler

Thanks everyone!

FreeBear

[Deleted User] said:

All gas meters record the volume of the gas used. Old meters were in imperial units (cubic feet) and modern meters are in metric (cubic metres). Your supplier converts your meter M3 into kWh using the calculation shown on your statement. The calculation takes into account the average calorific value of the gas supplied during the billing period. You are not under or overpaying.

But if your supplier thinks you have an old imperial meter, they will multiply the readings by 2.83 - Bad news if your meter is a modern one measuring cubic metres as you end up being charged nearly three times as much for your gas.

Or if you have an imperial meter and the supplier thinks it is metric, you'll be underpaying - Could be a nasty shock if/when the supplier realises and issues a corrected bill.

[Deleted User]

FreeBear said:

[Deleted User] said:

All gas meters record the volume of the gas used. Old meters were in imperial units (cubic feet) and modern meters are in metric (cubic metres). Your supplier converts your meter M3 into kWh using the calculation shown on your statement. The calculation takes into account the average calorific value of the gas supplied during the billing period. You are not under or overpaying.

But if your supplier thinks you have an old imperial meter, they will multiply the readings by 2.83 - Bad news if your meter is a modern one measuring cubic metres as you end up being charged nearly three times as much for your gas.

Or if you have an imperial meter and the supplier thinks it is metric, you'll be underpaying - Could be a nasty shock if/when the supplier realises and issues a corrected bill.

Given the millions of M3 gas meters that have replaced imperial meters over the years, database listing errors are not as common as a few posts on this forum might suggest.