Unusual Gas Meter Readings and Billing Discrepancies

whynotarun

As a recent British Gas customer, I have diligently monitored my meter readings and noticed significant discrepancies suggesting a potential issue with the meter or billing calculations.

Key Details:

First Meter Reading (2 January 2025): 81,201

Second Meter Reading (25 January 2025): 81,767

Third Meter Reading (3 February 2025): 82,005 I have taken pictures of all my meter readings.

Between 2 January and 3 February 2025, my meter records a total consumption of 804 units over 32 days; however, my recent bill estimates an annual usage of 285,209.31 kWh with an estimated annual cost of £18,320.16. This amount is not only unaffordable but also significantly higher than any typical household gas consumption.

I have already raised a complaint with supplier about this issue. I have also verified that I switched off my boiler and gas in my flat and checked my meter after 30 minutes, but the meter is not running. What could be the issue and how can it be resolved? I would appreciate your suggestions and would like to know if anyone else has faced a similar problem.

This situation is causing me financial and emotional distress. I need your help.

Robin9

whynotarun said:

........................estimates an annual usage of 285,209.31 kWh with an estimated annual cost of £18,320.16.........................

Note that word estimate.

Ignore it -  what matters is that bottom line.

Are you sure you are reading the meter correctly - 804 m3 a month is nearly 9000 kWh and costs about £400.   

Is this a modern meter -  digital display -  there may be a decimal point which is difficult to spot..   Older meters have a final digit or digits which you do not read,

Is this Smart meter ? 

FreeBear

Robin9 said: Are you sure you are reading the meter correctly - 804 m3 a month is nearly 9000 kWh and costs about £400.

If it is an old imperial meter reading (100s) cubic feet, that would work out to roughly 3200kWh for a cost of ~£190 (assuming 6p/kWh).

Oliverleo

FreeBear said:

Robin9 said: Are you sure you are reading the meter correctly - 804 m3 a month is nearly 9000 kWh and costs about £400.

If it is an old imperial meter reading (100s) cubic feet, that would work out to roughly 3200kWh for a cost of ~£190 (assuming 6p/kWh).

Thanks for the breakdown! That helps in understanding the cost calculation.

Ildhund

There's a possibility that BG think this is an imperial meter:
  



804/32  x 365 = 9170/year

100 ft³ ≈ 2.83 m³:
9170 *100 ft³ = ~26000 m³

Using a common rule-of-thumb to estimate a conversion m³ > kWh,
26,000 m³ x 11.1 = 289,000 kWh/year, not too far from their guess of 285,000 kWh/year

How to calculate: Gas meter readings and bill calculation - GOV.UK

Robin9

@whynotarun  Which of the meters that @Ildhund has posted above does yours look like ?

Look care fully for the letters ft3 or m3 and also note the serial number.  Now look at you latest bill -  does that say ft3 or m3 and is the serial number the same.   Look closely at the formal of the units on the bill.

whynotarun

Please find my recent statement:


Please find my meter photo:

Gerry1

You’re misreading the meter.  The photo shows a reading of 08120m3.  You have to ignore anything in red.

whynotarun

Yes, thank you so much. I understand now. 

Ildhund

whynotarun said:

Key Details:

First Meter Reading (2 January 2025): 81,201

Second Meter Reading (25 January 2025): 81,767

Third Meter Reading (3 February 2025): 82,005 I have taken pictures of all my meter readings.

Compared with the photo of your meter, those readings are 10 x too big. If you read the instructions I posted earlier, you'd see that anything after the decimal point is ignored when submitting readings:
  


That month's consumption is 8200 - 8120 = 80 m³, not the 804 m³ you thought you saw and were billed for. Panic over (unless you have trouble persuading BG that you got it wrong, that is ...).