Hardly ever use the heating but still expensive?!

Riisargh5 · 3 March 2019 at 12:33AM

Hey guys, so I've read through a bunch of posts and non seem to have quite the help or advice I'm looking for so I'm posting my own.

Some background info:
-3 bed, mid terrace house
-combi boiler (10yrs)
-energy supplier = Bulb vari-fair - DD
-only 2 radiators in use - living room & dining room
-2 people living
-wash pots once a day
-have a shower/bath once a day
-double glazed
-loft is newly insulated
-thermostat set to only heat up if go below 15degrees

Over the winter we would only use our multi fuel fire since we were only using the living room.
We would put the radiators on maybe 3 times per week for 1-2 hours. We were shocked at the price at £70(Nov) so we started to not use it AT ALL only for hot water for baths etc. December's bill was £19.

This February we have started to use the heating more often. We've just got a bill for £96. Which equates to around 80kw per day usage!

In the past, we had a gas leak which was fixed straight away, the gas man said it was leaking from a pipe before the meter so wouldn't have caused the meter to run.

Why are we so shocked at this high price?!?
What can we do to reduce it?

Thank you in advance

elsien · 3 March 2019 at 12:36AM

The first question is whether the bill is based on estimates or readings you have provided?

JohnB47 · 3 March 2019 at 1:21AM

Also, as always with this sort of thing, you need to start taking your own gas meter readings. I would say every day but certainly weekly. Then get your tariff details and work out exactly how much your gas is costing you per day.

There is no reason not to monitor your own usage and do your own calculations.

If you are unsure of the calculations, post your daily/weekly gas use and your unit rates and standing charge details here and one of us will work it out for you.

As a guide, we live on the south coast, well insulated semi, two showers per day plus washing machine 3 or 4 times a week. C/H on mainly only in mornings for 2 hours = approx £25 for February, an unusually warm month. That's an average 35 Kw per day. We have a wood burning stove, used after 6 pm.

Robin9 · 3 March 2019 at 7:57AM

I see you posted a similar question on Dec 6th and got similar practical responses to the ones above.

You didn't come back to the forum then - will you this time?

matelodave · 3 March 2019 at 9:16AM

You need to read your own meters at regualr intervals like it's already been suggested. Do your own calculations and and check that your bills are based on actual readings.

Having a whinge when the bill comes in because you dont know what you've used, when you've used it or why you've used it wont help you find out whether your bills is right or wrong.

As Robin says, you need to help yourself rather than hoping that a clairvoyant on this forum can work it out for you.

Thomas_Edison · 3 March 2019 at 12:32PM

As they mention above check if it's estimated or actual.

Bulb are generally one of the cheaper deals out there, but they're not the cheapest.

Riisargh5 · 3 July 2019 at 10:25PM

Thank you for your responses. Sorry for my lack of response. I had trouble with finding my posts on this forum. Think I've found how to use it properly now. Finally replied to my post I made last year too &#55358;&#56614;

My bills are based on monthly meter readings.
I'll start to take weekly meter readings.
The past few months have been £40 or there abouts which seems to be mainly for electric and water as we only put the heating on about 3 times in the month.

markin · 4 July 2019 at 2:38AM

Just above the first post hit the [Subscribe to thread] Button.

Is the thermostat in the Living room???? If its in the hallway the boiler will fire all day until the heat reaches it.

Most times when tested it is more energy efficient to heat the house 24/7 at 16c rather than on/off as the walls need to absorb all the heat again, working extra hard to do it.

With the boiler off check the reading and then 2hrs later to look for leaks, its unlikely with a bill of £19 in Dec though.

Also what is your location? Age of house? Solid walls or cavity?

Is the fire drafty when not in use? I bet a lot off heat will be lost up the chimney, Is the an air vent in that room or will the fire suck air from the rest of the house?

Robin9 · 4 July 2019 at 5:40AM

Riisargh5 wrote: »

......................
The past few months have been £40 or there abouts which seems to be mainly for electric and water as we only put the heating on about 3 times in the month.

Use the gas for water heating in the Summer instead if the electric immersion heater.

Riisargh5 · 22 March 2020 at 11:43AM

Thank you guys.
So not sure how or why but after switching to a new provider our bills have been steady, not fluctuating and cheaper than usual and we have used the heating more than usual too.

Of course we have done some more draught proofing.
All the advice was much appreciated thank you very much.

Hardly ever use the heating but still expensive?!

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