Unexpected gas bill (EON)

[Aterlatus]

Can anyone help me out with some sanity checking?

 

Based on meter readings, from 9th December to 4th March (86 days) I've used 8,601kWh of gas.

 

100kWh a day seems an awful lot to me given that the house hasn't felt particularly warm (albeit not particularly cold most of the time either).

 

Since the last bill, I've managed to put 943kWh through the meter. 85kWh per day again seems quite high to me.

 

It's a two bed mid terrace (circa 1910) that came in as a 'D' on the last EPC. Do these numbers seem reasonable to anyone? I never used anywhere near this much gas in the last house I was in (2-bed semi, albeit more modern).

[citizenB]

Do you have neighbours in similar properties ? If you are on speaking terms with them, perhaps you could ask them what their usage is coming in at see if you can get an average from perhaps a couple of them.

[dx100uk]

3.5kwh per hour is rather large

is your boiler /CH on 24/7 and thermo controlled

 

 

mines 1820's 10 rooms over many floors

uses 11756 over 93 days = 5.2kwh per hour

[Aterlatus]

It was - it's now set to be on for a few hours a day (temperature controlled still).

[unclebulgaria67]

3.5kwh per hour is rather large

is your boiler /CH on 24/7 and thermo controlled

 

If i am right that is about £11 in gas a day based on the usage. That must be an old inefficient boiler that is running for long periods, with baths rather than showers.

 

If the boiler is not that old and has thermostatic control set at a reasonable temperature, then i would do a check on the meter regularly over a period to see whether it is working correctly. If there is a fault, then your energy company will replace. I had a meter changed and it did not take very long.

[dx100uk]

my 18" walled Caithness stone home never goes above 21%

 

I have 3 periods of 2hrs out of 24 whereby its 'off'

the rest of the time the thermo is set to 20% to control temp

 

if I don't operate it that way

it costs me twice as much to reheat the ruddy place.

[Aterlatus]

Checked over the last few hours with nothing on but the pilot light

and it's coming out at around 3kWh/day.

 

 

At least that suggests there's no dodgy leaks or suchlike.

I'll monitor it over the next few days and see how realistic the numbers are.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

 

I should add that I'm not entirely convinced the boiler is in a good state of maintenance.

It doesn't appear to be too old, but we've had no hot water in the kitchen since late November

(around the time the gas use started rocketing), although we get it in other rooms OK.

 

 

Landlord hasn't been interested despite constant calls

(got as far as a plumber coming out and suggesting the tap just needs a washer, but never returned).

[dx100uk]

a pilot light does not consume anything let alone 3kwh

 

 

if you've got it all off the meter should not be progressing anywhere in an hour?

[Andyorch]

Constant pilot lights on the older CH boilers can use up to 40p per day £36 per quarter......hence the reason new boilers now fire the pilot light on ignition and only when in use.

[nottslad]

If the boiler's in a bad state of repair, becoming old or inefficient you may wish to research getting a new one fitted; our usage reduced significantly when we had a new boiler and digital thermostat fitted.

 

Depending on your circumstances you may qualify for further assistance - https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/help-and-support/energy-fund

 

https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/saving-energy/need-little-extra-help/energy-company-obligation

[E.ON Company Rep: Malc]

Can anyone help me out with some sanity checking?

 

Based on meter readings, from 9th December to 4th March (86 days) I've used 8,601kWh of gas.

 

100kWh a day seems an awful lot to me given that the house hasn't felt particularly warm (albeit not particularly cold most of the time either).

 

Since the last bill, I've managed to put 943kWh through the meter. 85kWh per day again seems quite high to me.

 

It's a two bed mid terrace (circa 1910) that came in as a 'D' on the last EPC. Do these numbers seem reasonable to anyone? I never used anywhere near this much gas in the last house I was in (2-bed semi, albeit more modern).

 

It was - it's now set to be on for a few hours a day (temperature controlled still).

 

Checked over the last few hours with nothing on but the pilot light

and it's coming out at around 3kWh/day.

 

 

At least that suggests there's no dodgy leaks or suchlike.

I'll monitor it over the next few days and see how realistic the numbers are.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

 

I should add that I'm not entirely convinced the boiler is in a good state of maintenance.

It doesn't appear to be too old, but we've had no hot water in the kitchen since late November

(around the time the gas use started rocketing), although we get it in other rooms OK.

 

 

Landlord hasn't been interested despite constant calls

(got as far as a plumber coming out and suggesting the tap just needs a washer, but never returned).

 

Hello Aterlatus

 

Usage can vary quite a lot between properties as it depends on the specific set up at individual locations. Things like levels of insulation, age and design of buildings, heating, appliances, lifestyles etc all have an impact on how much is used. You mention at one time the heating was on 24/7. This will certainly have had an impact. You also say the boiler might not be up to scratch. Again, this could influence the amount of gas used.

 

Nottslad has given some excellent advice. Thanks nottslad. In particular, the link to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) might help with your ongoing gas usage. The ECO is a Government led scheme that aims to cut usage by providing help with energy saving stuff like loft and cavity wall insulation. If your boiler is broken, we may be able to help with this through the scheme too. Certainly worth checking out.

 

It might also help you understand the ongoing gas usage by taking regular meter readings. Try taking them once a day for a week and then weekly for a month. Sere if there are any particular spikes. Could possibly help find a faulty appliance that might be using more than expected.

 

When you've a minute, have a look at the 'Saving Energy' pages on our website. Some useful tips to help you save money by saving energy, both with the gas and electricity.

 

Hope this is of interest Aterlatus.

 

Malc

[unclebulgaria67]

I had an A rated boiler fitted and it reduced my bill by about 70%. With old boilers set with timers they come on for a long time,whereas my new set up has a radio controlled thermostat and thermostats on radiators in main rooms. New boilers heat up much quicker and if you set them up well they will maintain temperature quite efficiently.

[E.ON Company Rep: Malc]

If the boiler's in a bad state of repair, becoming old or inefficient you may wish to research getting a new one fitted; our usage reduced significantly when we had a new boiler and digital thermostat fitted.

 

Depending on your circumstances you may qualify for further assistance - https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/help-and-support/energy-fund

 

https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/saving-energy/need-little-extra-help/energy-company-obligation

 

Excellent advice nottslad. Thanks for posting this, particularly the links. Might well be able to help the OP.

 

Malc

[E.ON Company Rep: Malc]

Hello Aterlatus

 

Usage can vary quite a lot between properties as it depends on the specific set up at individual locations. Things like levels of insulation, age and design of buildings, heating, appliances, lifestyles etc all have an impact on how much is used. You mention at one time the heating was on 24/7. This will certainly have had an impact. You also say the boiler might not be up to scratch. Again, this could influence the amount of gas used.

 

Nottslad has given some excellent advice. Thanks nottslad. In particular, the link to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) might help with your ongoing gas usage. The ECO is a Government led scheme that aims to cut usage by providing help with energy saving stuff like loft and cavity wall insulation. If your boiler is broken, we may be able to help with this through the scheme too. Certainly worth checking out.

 

It might also help you understand the ongoing gas usage by taking regular meter readings. Try taking them once a day for a week and then weekly for a month. Sere if there are any particular spikes. Could possibly help find a faulty appliance that might be using more than expected.

 

When you've a minute, have a look at the 'Saving Energy' pages on our website. Some useful tips to help you save money by saving energy, both with the gas and electricity.

 

Hope this is of interest Aterlatus.

 

Malc

 

Just to add to what I posted a few minutes ago Aterlatus. Talk to us if you're struggling with the unexpected bill you mention. We'll be happy to look at setting up a payment arrangement to spread the bill over a more manageable period. Also, if you set up a Monthly Direct Debit, you'll have lower daily standing charges.

 

Sorry, meant to mention this before.

 

Malc