Anomalously high gas bill - from British Gas

CazeryBird

tim_p said:

CazeryBird said:

Even after using the heating almost constantly for the past month we've only used £258 of gas.

Are you sure? That’s a huge amount of gas, getting on for 4000kWh (unless my maths needs some work! - highly likely)

is this a lot? Last year we used about 14,000 over the year and nothing has changed this year: same boiler, same rads, same bath, same shower. Electric oven. Log fires.

CazeryBird

We're in a 3 bed end of terrace. Built in 1910. Loads of loft insulation, upstairs ceilings insulated, thick brick walls, I have thick thermal lined curtains and we keep the log fire on pretty much constantly from the end of October to the end of March. Rarely take baths. Dishwasher for the kitchen. Hot water only really used for quick daily showers.

CazeryBird

CazeryBird said:

tim_p said:

CazeryBird said:

Even after using the heating almost constantly for the past month we've only used £258 of gas.

Are you sure? That’s a huge amount of gas, getting on for 4000kWh (unless my maths needs some work! - highly likely)

is this a lot? Last year we used about 14,000 over the year and nothing has changed this year: same boiler, same rads, same bath, same shower. Electric oven. Log fires.

this is the previous period...obviously no heating used then.

tim_p

is it a lot? Yes, it’s over 30% of your annual total in just one month, and not a particularly cold month either. 

CazeryBird

tim_p said:

is it a lot? Yes, it’s over 30% of your annual total in just one month, and not a particularly cold month either. 

Oh. I don't know why it would be so high then. We did have the heating on a lot as the baby has had bronchiolitis and needed to be warm all the time. The boiler was serviced a few weeks ago (and is only two years old).

jennifernil

tim_p said:

CazeryBird said:

Even after using the heating almost constantly for the past month we've only used £258 of gas.

Are you sure? That’s a huge amount of gas, getting on for 4000kWh (unless my maths needs some work! - highly likely)

That is what I was thinking too.   We are 2 pensioners who like it warm, in a large 5 bed detached, in central Scotland.  In the past month we have used about £140 of gas, and that was more than last year as it has been very cold recently.

 But looking at dates, it is actually for October + half of November.

For a whole year our use is 17000kWh

Gerry1

Take a photo of the reading last thing at night then turn the supply fully off using the red lever or yellow knob next to the meter.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80102416/#Comment_80102416

Take a photo of the reading first thing in the morning.  If there's any variance then it's proof positive that the meter is faulty.  If necessary try again during the day when it's warmer.

If you spot a variance then take an elapsed time series of photos video of the meter advancing with the supply fully off.  Then book an OFMAT meter test.

CazeryBird

jennifernil said:

tim_p said:

CazeryBird said:

Even after using the heating almost constantly for the past month we've only used £258 of gas.

Are you sure? That’s a huge amount of gas, getting on for 4000kWh (unless my maths needs some work! - highly likely)

That is what I was thinking too.   We are 2 pensioners who like it warm, in a large 5 bed detached, in central Scotland.  In the past month we have used about £140 of gas, and that was more than last year as it has been very cold recently.

 But looking at dates, it is actually for October + half of November.

For a whole year our use is 17000kWh

We're in North Eastern England, in a cold area. I'd be happy with an average of 16,000kWh tbh, which is what I sort of suggested to BG. That would be a little over average for a house our size but ok in an older house with two small children (1 and 3).
Our use last year was 14,000 (based on actual readings). They currently claim 50,000 for this year, which is apparently impossible for us in this house (well according to heating engineers/plumbers Ive spoken too). I spoke to a friend who had similar happen and BG just agreed a new bill using the previous year as a guide, so I'm hopeful...

CazeryBird

Gerry1 said:

Take a photo of the reading last thing at night then turn the supply fully off using the red lever or yellow knob next to the meter.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80102416/#Comment_80102416

Take a photo of the reading first thing in the morning.  If there's any variance then it's proof positive that the meter is faulty.  If necessary try again during the day when it's warmer.

If you spot a variance then take an elapsed time series of photos video of the meter advancing with the supply fully off.  Then book an OFMAT meter test.

I don't have either of those. There is another lever but it looks a bit dodgy! The plumber is coming on Sunday though so I can ask him to do it then.

QrizB

The lever on the left (below the yellow tape that says "on") is the main gas valve. That's the one Gerry is referring to.