£4000 gas bill for one year!

[confusedwife]

We moved into our home nearly a year ago after spending £25K on installing a new top range boiler, hot water tank (Megaflow high efficiency), new plumbing throughout etc. Also added additional insulation to roof space and foam backed plasterboard to top floor. Since we are "green" minded we have had our heating off entirely since March and keep warm with jumpers and an open fire in the lounge.

I called British gas after submitting my reading and receiving their bill and have checked to see if the meter runs when everything off (it doesn't) and am now taking daily readings and tracking our usage. We have used over 13 units of gas in just 3 days - no heating, just hot water for 2 showers, some washing up and cooking 3 simple meals. By my calculations that will cost us £25. Can this possibly be right?

Am I aware that meters only very rarely go wrong (although ours was installed 2 years ago and no-one lived here before us). Can there be another explaination?

[Conniff]

Watchdog had a report on this

 

In January, we revealed how some of you were being charged almost three times too much for your gas because the energy companies were getting their imperial meters confused with their metric ones. That's why Tony and Donna Merrick received a gas bill for £1,800 when it should have been closer to £600.

 

Maybe this applies to you. Have a look.

 

BBC - Watchdog

 

Under the 'Energy Price Update'.

[confusedwife]

Oh my good god! Thank you SO SO much. That's it! It will still be a lot but more like £1,400. I checked the meter and it is metric - my bill clearly states that they multiply the reading by x2.83 - the metric conversion factor. Everyone should know about this! I am forever grateful!

[Conniff]

That's great news. Have a nice holiday with the refund.

 

 

If my posting has been of any assistance - please tip my scales.

_________________________ ___________________

 

Foreign Aid - taxing poor people in rich countries for the benefit of rich people in poor countries.

Edited May 20, 2009 by Conniff

[confusedwife]

The story unfortunately did not end there.... British Gas have readjusted all the previous bills over the past year and half to put maximum usage in their highest cost billing period rather than just remove the metric conversion factor from each bill individually. Basically they have added £239.75 to the bill without any good reason.

 

Please see my other post for full story and to offer advice. Thank you!