Excessive gas meter reading

A question about : Excessive gas meter reading

Just received our gas bill for the last quarter, and it's a shocker. It shows usage of an incredible 913 units, bringing our gas bill to Ј450. This compares with average usage of 60 units per quarter over the last year (approx Ј40 per qtr)since we moved to our 1 bedroom flat and there has been no fundamental change to our usage patterns.

How does one explain this 15 fold spike in gas usage? We are checking the gas meter for faults by taking regular readings over the next 7 days. So far, the reading indicates 7 units used over the last 10 days, projecting quarterly usage of 60 units. If the meter is not faulty, what other causes could exist for the excessive reading? And what should we do? Thanks..

Best answers:

• Have all your bills been based on actual readings or have been estimated ?
  If the old ones had been estimated and this one is an actual reading - then that can explain it
  So does if your old bills were actual readings and this one is estimated - give your gas company the correct reading...
  Otherwise it could be a faulty meter though I think thats pretty rare.
  Also check if the gas company has put up prices (though obviously that won't explain the whole increase!)
  Regards
  Sunil
• All the meter readings are actual, and not estimates. That's why this particular instance is such a shock.
• has a new meter been installed at any point in last few months? A few years back we had a new digital meter put in a house replacing old dial meter, before installation, meter read 1012, after installation 10120
  or so we found out after our next bill. Electric co.(it was a electric rather than gas meter) explanation, "Do you use an iron a lot or the kettle?" Erm yes but not enough to give us bills of Ј1000 a quarter unless we're doing the streets ironing
• How long ago did you move into the flat, and what do you use gas for other then heating? Gas bills always shoot up in the winter, and if you don't cook with gas then your bills will be very low for the rest of the year when the heating isn't on. If you weren't in the flat last winter then this would explain why the bill is so much higher than you've been used to.
• Well we have spent a full year in this place now, so we now what to expect in terms of usage. It is only a 1 bedroom flat with 5 radiators. Cooking is electric.
  There is no way we can pump out 10 units of gas eachday, even if we leave the heater on at full blast 24 hours a day. I tested this the other day, left the heater on at full blast for 12 hrs, and took the reading later which showed only 2 units of usage. for the day
  There is no way we can consume Ј150 worth of gas each month, which is what the last bill suggests. I would believe the meter reading if it was for 3 years worth of usage, not 3 months!
• Hi
  I have just had the exact same thing...had a monthly direct debit set up to British Gas for Ј35.00 per month for a small 2 bed bungalow with 6 radiators and water heated by gas only...have had all but 2 of the radiators turned off completely since April as the bungalow gets very warm anyway and just got my latest statement and they want to increase monthly direct debit to Ј85.00 per month!!!!!
  Have been doing readings myself over the couple of weeks and consumption has been well below this and we have turned some more radiators back on too...all bills based on actual readings too!
  Phoned BG but the rudeness and ignorance of the staff is second to none as usual, "well you've used it sir!!".
  My readings are showing about Ј90.00 a quarter not a month!
  Something's gotta be up with the meter surely??!!
  Jim
• A&M hi, sounds pretty daft I know but if you are in a flat, is it at all possible someone from another flat has connected into your supply, a bit off the wall I know, but not totally barking!.
  If you still feel your meter is reading incorrectly, you can demand BG remove for an accuracy test. However be warned if it is accurate to, I think its, + or - 2.5%, you will receive a 'test fee'. If it is indeed innacurate, which as an earlier post suggests is rare - not impossible though, you will get a refund calculated on the % the meter is reading innacuurate, backdated for I cant rember how long!.