Gas usage calculations and how to manage heating

[Graphista]

I know loads are posting similarly so apologies but I really need help.

I put my heating on about 4 weeks ago, took a reading then and one today. I've used an online calculator for usage price and it's scared the crap outta me! Thankfully I've a buffer of credit with my energy company but I still want to keep costs down while not being too cold and keeping the flat in order (rented, already had an email from landlord re heating needs to be on to avoid frozen pipes etc)

With some trial and error I've worked out during the day 17°c on thermostat is about right for me. But I've not been changing it at night and tbh sometimes I'm getting too warm anyway which is of course daft and wasteful.

How do I work out what to have thermostat at? If turning down for night how?

And can someone help me work out my costs as I'm not sure the online calculator was accurate and I'm not even sure what kind of meter I have for calculations (I can post a pic if needed)

I'm terrible at this sort of maths and find it all incredibly confusing.

Can anyone please help?

Because gas is measured by volume that's gone through the meter.

If you get yourself some smart meters they will have a display that gives you the information needed.

Don't forget the cold snaps in December etc will have used more than normal if you're using a thermostat etc.

For standing charges for 75 days between 24/11 and 7/2 is approx £20.42 for gas and £37.24 for electricity

Must have had fat fingers calculating on my phone so Electricity is actually 288 kwh at 33.76p = £97.23. Gas is 2790 kwh at 10.277 = £286.73

Grand total around £441.62

Also because in the future (and maybe in the past) the calorific value can change.

So for example if they add 20% hydrogen into the mix the calorific value will be different.

If the meter was calibrated in kWh it would become wrong as the mix changed.

Assuming they are in m3.

I don't see anywhere where they have posted their units. Anyway, if they are in ft3x100 it will be 3x as much. Lets hope not ...

OP said previously it was in m³

@Graphista , I've just seen your thread.

Don't know if there might be something useful for you in this Q&A tomorrow (Thurs).

MNHQ here: Worried about your rising energy bills? Charity National Energy Action will be here on Thursday 9th February 12pm to 1pm
www.mumsnet.com/talk/cost_of_living/4729433-mnhq-here-worried-about-your-rising-energy-bills-charity-national-energy-action-will-be-here-on-thursday-9-february-12pm-to-1pm?reply=123744003

Ah ok sorry

It was away back on the 21/12 so probably easily missed. I dread to think what the bill would be if it was f³!

Thanks so much

I cannot see on my bill where they say how they calculate from my reading to KWH for electric only for gas ?

For gas it says

Units used x calorific value (39.6) x volume correction (1.02264) / 3.6 = KWH ? Is that right?

Also 5% vat? Which needs added on too.

So I think

21/12/22

27231.6 electric
7549.92 gas

7/2/23

27525.8 electric
7681.28 gas

Means

Electric - 27525.8 - 27231.6 = 294.2 units used

Gas 7681.28 - 7549.92 = 131.36 units used

131.36 x 39.6 x 1.02264 / 3.6 = 1480.37 units used?!

1480.37 x 10.277 pence = £152.14

48 days standIng charge 48 x 27.22p = £13.07

£152.14 + £13.07 = £265.21

5% vat = £13.26

£265.22 + £13.26 = £278.48

Divided by 7 weeks x 52 weeks divided by 12 months to get a monthly cost (albeit winter only) = approx £172 per month!

Is that right???

Yea it's m3

Your electric usage doesn't need converting - it already measures in kwh.

Thank you

Try setting the heating low overnight, I don’t find I need mine on much. I used to have it on but haven’t noticed the difference - I’ve set it to switch on half an hour before I get up.

Overnight or if I'm away I set mine to 10

To address some queries -

Timer - heating does have a timer option but 1 it's a pain in the backside to set up as you have to set individually for each day, can't just tell it "this time every day" 2 I'm mostly home, suffer from insomnia and so I don't really have a set routine. BUT I am going to start turning thermostat right down at night when I'm snuggled in bed and when I go out too.

Smart meter - I'm private rented and so far landlord has resisted, I've also read some horror stories regarding smart meters not working properly and people ending up with massive bills they didn't deserve and it taking them months to sort it.

These are calculations I have just done based on last reading submitted to edf and yesterdays reading - 45 days - which I must submit asap and frankly I am dreading!

ELECTRIC

7/2/23 - 27525
Less
24/11/22 - 27237 = 288 KWH

288 KWH x 33.76p usage charge = £97.23

• standing charge 49.65p per day X 45 = £22.34

£97.23 + £22.34 = £119.57

• vat 5% = £5.98

Total for last 45 days = £125.5

(approx for 30 days/month = £83.67)

GAS

7/2/23 - 7681
Less
24/11/22 - 7433 = 248 units.

Converting
248 x 39.6 x 1.0226 / 3.6 = 2789.11 KWH

2789.11 x 10.277p unit rate = £286.64

• standing charge 27.22p per day x 45 days = £12.25

£286.64 + £12.25 = £298.89

• vat 5% = £14.95

Total for last 45 days = £313.84

(Approx for 30 days/month = £209.23)

Both per 30 day month winter = £292.90

Are my calculations right? And if so - omg!!!!

Is my usage high? It's just me in a 1 bed but in Scotland and home most of the time due to ill health/disability.

I barely cook now, I turn all lights off when not in use, close all internal doors to trap heat, don't shower every day... I don't know what more I could do to cut back?!

Readings submitted, says bill available in 2 days. Really hoping not to get an increased dd or massive bill I can't cover!

Where are you getting 45 days from? Its 76 days from 24/11/22 to 7/2/23 inclusive.

Oh ffs of course! I got 45 days stuck in my head cos I also took a reading in December. Numpty

Arghhh

So

ELECTRIC

7/2/23 - 27525
Less
24/11/22 - 27237 = 288 KWH

288 KWH x 33.76p usage charge = £97.23

• standing charge 49.65p per day X 76 = £37.73

£97.23 + £37.73 = £134.96

• vat 5% = £6.75

Total for last 76 days = £141.71

(approx for 30 days/month = £55.94)

GAS

7/2/23 - 7681
Less
24/11/22 - 7433 = 248 units.

Converting
248 x 39.6 x 1.0226 / 3.6 = 2789.11 KWH

2789.11 x 10.277p unit rate = £286.64

• standing charge 27.22p per day x 76 days = £20.69

£286.64 + £20.69 = £307.33

• vat 5% = £15.37

Total for last 76 days = £322.70

(Approx for 30 days/month = £127.38)

Both per 30 day month winter = £183.32

That's a relief! Still a lot of money but not as bad as I thought.

Yeah, that sounds far more reasonable and pretty much the same as I worked it out.

@Graphista at least you know how to work your gas usage out now and that electricity doesn't need converting to kwh so that will help you for future bills

Crap! Jumped on app, said bill available in 2 days from last reading to now as per calculations here spent £464.41 on energy

App saying I'm £330 in DEBIT now after being £530 in credit!

That's effectively a bill of £860 surely that cannot be right?!

Bill date apparently 9/9/22 to 8/2/23 which makes no sense at all to me

Which company is it? Is the 9/9/22 date the last time they produced a bill?

Edf.

Last bill 8/9/22 yes

I'm so confused and very stressed right now

How on earth is it an £860 bill?!