Gas bill - recently moved into new home - how is gas calculated - gas meter not working

maximise

First time buyer, recently moved into new home, the electric smart meter is working; the gas meter isn't. Energy provider has said they'll arrange for new gas meter to be installed, said they will call tomorrow.


bit of a shock on the gas bill - £215 for December, £46 for current month January (1/3 of way through).


would like to know:

1. how have they calculated the gas usage when the gas meter not working?

2. if the figures are estimated, and are they likely to adjust over time, is that what I'll have to pay upfront?










background info:

- 3 bed detached. I have made the effort not to have the heating on too high, have turned down radiators (from '5' to '3') in the rooms not in use, plus have used oil-filled radiator/ fan heater combo to boost the rooms in use.

When I first took ownership of the property I turned the hall thermostat to '20' - however after moving in just before Christmas, found this was too much and have since turned it down to between '10' and '13' as this seems to bring the room temperature to 17-18 degrees which suits me best.




 -gas & electric provider recorded as eon by solicitors TA6 property information form, when I called eon they kindly informed me the supplier is actually OVO.





Thank you

Netexporter

What makes you think the gas meter isn't working? The graphs are showing gas usage.

If the screen appears blank you need to press a button on the meter to see the reading. What make and model of meter is it? (or can you post a picture of it?)

JGB1955

Personally I would have the room thermostats on '3' for those that are occupied and '1' for the rest.

Brie

Are they doing estimates based on the previous occupants use?

When you say the meter isn't working do you mean the actual meter or the in house display?  The IHDs can have problems getting the readings from the actual meters particularly for gas it seems.  So if it's the IHD then a real reading may still be going to the provider via a smart meter.  They will not replace any IHD that is more than a year old.

maximise

Netexporter said:

What makes you think the gas meter isn't working? The graphs are showing gas usage.

If the screen appears blank you need to press a button on the meter to see the reading. What make and model of meter is it? (or can you post a picture of it?)

Brie said:

Are they doing estimates based on the previous occupants use?

When you say the meter isn't working do you mean the actual meter or the in house display?  The IHDs can have problems getting the readings from the actual meters particularly for gas it seems.  So if it's the IHD then a real reading may still be going to the provider via a smart meter.  They will not replace any IHD that is more than a year old.

 thanks, good question - the display in the gas cabinet, on side of house, not working

- pressed and held down button 'A' for 15 secs to be sure, dead as doornail. no beeps either.


Is that what they have done, estimated based on previous occupants use? If so when will/ can it be corrected? Do I have to wait for a few months? I'm single occupant vs. (I believe, previous occupant was) family of 3+

Krakkkers

If they are then turn the heating up until its sorted.

Brie

I'd be telling them that until they can confirm your actual use you will be happy to pay the daily standing charge but nothing else as they have no proof you are using any gas.  Inform them in writing (email is fine).  They will likely react quite quickly.

Brie

Oh you might also tell them you want to immediately switch to a variable DD. That way they can only charge you for actual use, not a fiction of what they think you might use.  

SAC2334

Battery will be dead. Some only last 5 years but supposed to last 10 and being a smart meter I d think the supplier would be aware of the low battery warning code
.Suppliers have historic energy  use going back years for every property they supply so at least they can get somewhere near a decent estimated bill

MWT

Brie said:

I'd be telling them that until they can confirm your actual use you will be happy to pay the daily standing charge but nothing else as they have no proof you are using any gas.  Inform them in writing (email is fine).  They will likely react quite quickly.

That isn't going to have any force, they are entitled to bill based on estimates, there is no right to free energy when there is a faulty meter.

You can have a debate about how the estimate is calculated, but paying nothing for the energy being used isn't one of the options...

FreeBear

SAC2334 said: Suppliers have historic energy  use going back years for every property they supply so at least they can get somewhere near a decent estimated bill

Different people will have totally different energy consumption. If the has turned the thermostat down to 13°C from 20°C, I would expect to see minimal gas consumption. Heck, I'm down to less than 3500KWh per year in an old 3 bed semi (but minimum temperature is around 17°C).