High gas usage... possibly.

[Merlot]

We moved into our current property in the summer. It is a one bedroom flat, but is part of an old pub building which brings with it some negatives for the energy efficiency (High ceilings, no insulation, single glazed sash windows, wood floor, cellar void underneath).

During the summer, I calculated we used £10 pcm of gas, which was all for hot water (showers and kitchen). Sounds about right and on a par with what I paid in my previous flat.

However, I now run the heating on a timer for 2 hours per day. This has resulted in my usage going up to about £100 per month. We don't have any more showers compared to the summer, so it looks like it is costing me £90 a month to run my combi boiler for 2 hours a day. This does sound a trifle.. excessive? (£1.50 per hour!)

The boiler is a 5 year old Baxi thing. We are on a competitive tarrif price wise with a normal credit meter.

What should I look at first?

[Ferg]

Insulation.

[Merlot]

Ferg said:

Insulation.

But.. if is costing £90 a month to run for 2 hours a day now, it'll still cost £90 a month to run for 2 hours a day with insulation. Non?

Insulation just means it'll stay warmer for longer - temperature isn't an issue for me.

My concern is that £90 pcm for 1.5 / 2.0 hours a day seems excessive, yet the boiler seemed to be operating normally during the summer when it was only needed for showers and hot water.

[Ferg]

Then it's likely to be just how it is.
You could gas rate it and calculate input to compare with the rating plate, but in my experience they are never very far out and it would show up on the service. High ceilings are a heat killer, since the way a convector radiator works means hot air goes up then down and the further it travels the cooler it gets. In addition that heat will be going upwards so good loft insulation is essential.

[Merlot]

Ferg said:

Then it's likely to be just how it is.
You could gas rate it and calculate input to compare with the rating plate, but in my experience they are never very far out and it would show up on the service. High ceilings are a heat killer, since the way a convector radiator works means hot air goes up then down and the further it travels the cooler it gets. In addition that heat will be going upwards so good loft insulation is essential.

Thanks.

I'll check how much it uses over a fixed period and compare to the manual specs. It just seemed to be excessive for the small work we demand of it! A couple of 2KW heaters in the bedroom and living room would only work out as £20 a month, compared to £90 a month for the same time period as the gas boiler.

[jaybkay]

Looks excessive to me, as you point out using fan heaters wouldn't cost as much.

I read somewhere that there can be a mix up between imperial and metric gas meters - and you can end up paying about three times the amount you should. Think it was on www.thisismoney.co.uk

[Merlot]

jaybkay said:

Looks excessive to me, as you point out using fan heaters wouldn't cost as much.

I read somewhere that there can be a mix up between imperial and metric gas meters - and you can end up paying about three times the amount you should. Think it was on www.thisismoney.co.uk

D'oh! You're right.

Our old place was imperial and our new place is metric. Makes perfect sense now!