To expect my meter to be inactive?

[LadyGAgain]

Sorry for such a dull Saturday night post but... got a bill today from British Gas. Extortionate for the gas.

Ironically the boiler also packed up today (probably died from shock).

So, boiler doesn't work. No hot water. Not cooking in oven or on the hob.

So why is our gas meter going up? The numbers are rising. I've videoed it. No idea what to do. And clearly (IMO) there's an issue which is costing us hundreds. Literally.

Advice? (I can't speak with British Gas until Monday). Looking for any experience here. Is my expectation wrong?

Thanks!

[averylongtimeago]

Is there a leak?

[userlotsanumbers]

Other than a leak, I can't think of anything else. Can you switch the gas off (should be a valve somewhere on the system?), see what happens?

[NellaBonella]

Do you have any HomeCare type insurance with BGas? They are open 24/7 of you do?

[lyralalala]

Is it going up by more than the standing charge?

If you think there is a leak phone their 24/7 number.

[SoupDragon]

There must be a leak I would have thought. Can you smell gas anywhere?

Emergency info (says power but seems generic advice) www.npower.com/help-and-support/emergency-information/gas-safety-advice/gas-leaks/

[RandomMess]

I would certainly be phoning up reporting the possibility of a leak.

[BanginChoons]

Turn the gas off at the meter and phone cadent to check for a leak.

[Angelicinnocent]

Possible leak but if you can't smell gas and combined with a far higher bill, far more likely to be a faulty meter.

You can insist on having the meter tested. Has to be arranged through the supplier but it is done by ofgem so is independent. Only problem is that you have to pay for it upfront but if the meter is faulty they will return the cost and make a deduction from your bill to cover how much you have been over charged.

However, this can take months to sort out. If its just one bill and the amount isn't too much extra, I personally would ring them, request it changed because you think it's faulty and tell them if they won't change it, you want an ofgem test.

[EllieMookins]

Switch the supply off until you speak to them (unless it's being used for cooking or something?) at the meter there's a pipe just off it with a valve that runs in line with it, turn that to 45 degrees and the supply to the house is off.

Unless the boiler is actually disconnected it can still be using gas to try to work, albeit small amounts, could be going to your cooker or any other gas appliances. If you suspect a leak call 0800111999, they'll only actually turn off the supply to the house though and you'll need to get the appliances checked yourself.

BG won't actually do anything unless you've got boiler cover with them, they are only concerned with the meter and the chances of it being faulty are very slim. It's more likely an appliance.

[BanginChoons]

The number is 0800 111 999

[BanginChoons]

Cross posted with Ellie

[Angelicinnocent]

By the way, for a leak to be affecting the meter, it would have to be inside your property and barring medical problems, you would smell it.

[needthisthread]

Hot water? Shower?

How much is it going up?

Is this connected the the first part of your post re the bill? I can't work it out.

[EllieMookins]

Ahh, I missed the part about the bill and boiler packing up today Gas is expensive, unfortunately, and if your boiler was at the point it has packed in it wouldn't be running very effectively and seemingly eating through gas to achieve optimum temperatures on heating and hot water. You don't have a meter problem, you have a boiler problem. Assuming it's not been disconnected so I'd bet that's where the gas is going. See advice as to how to turn it off at the meter if you like until you can get it sorted.

[MereDintofPandiculation]

Is it going up by more than the standing charge? Standing charge is calculated separately, and added on after the meter has been read and the fuel charges calculated.

[LadyGAgain]

Thanks everyone, we have turned off gas at the meter point so the meter isn't now running and have a new boiler ordered and fitting booked this week. BG wouldn't give us homeserve due to the age of it and we only moved in 6 months ago. So it was a ticking time bomb!