Combi newb: big gas bill, where am I going wrong?

[AndySoton]

Hi guys

Hoping one of you good people can help me

Not long ago I moved into a rental place on my own. I've been very careful with energy use and that and living my own I was confident my energy bills would be fairly low.

My first gas bill has just come and it's £65..gulp. I've checked the meter and sadly it's correct.

In terms of usage I would consider myself 'light' - two quick showers a day, washing up, bit of cooking, and last 2-3 weeks light use of central heating, mainly in evenings.

Now the only thing I can think of is that I'm not utilising the boiler correctly (I've not had a combi before). I can't see how else I'd be spewing this much away (my last house was me+partner and even in peak of winter never went over £45).

Excuse the bad photo but the damn boiler is in a really awkward position. The eco button is on but doesn't show in the photo.

So my main question is, what on earth am I doing wrong? Have I got it set in such a way that some part is always on?

Question two is a simpler one - I'm on holiday next week, is it best to switch off the boiler altogether when I'm away?

many thanks![/img]

 

[ianmcd]

£65 for three months ??? are you mad thats what gas costs that is super cheap

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

That cannot be 3 months gas usage? Can we have the suppliers name and tarriff please?

 

[dormermike]

I spend £100 quid per month. What tariff are you on?

 

[AndySoton]

the 65 was for a month.
That was with Scottish Power monthly tariff, just moved to Southern Electric.

cheers

 

[ALEC1]

thats nothing for a month...how big is the house

 

[ianmcd]

I pay £120 a month gas and £55 leccy

 

[AndySoton]

Hi

It's a 2 bed mid terrace

Just don't get how I'm using WAY less (or should be) gas then a 3 bed semi, also gone from two people to one, and paying c£20 a month more

thanks

 

[dormermike]

As an aside (sorry) does anyone know of a website which allows people to submit their gas bills, usage etc, and then see what neighbours are paying? Would be interesting and useful data. If not, i will build one.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

It depends on a number of factors! For starters, if the heat loss from a smaller house is greater, it'll take the same if not more energy to keep a smaller house at the same temperature as a larger well insulated property.

If the property hemorrhages heat through a badly insulated loft/old windows/etc then the boiler could run flat out all day to maintain the set temperature.

 

[Phill Peck]

Do you have a room stat?

Ow well insulated is the house?

 

[hazetimesfive]

things often seem darker when you live alone.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Just worked out my fuel bill and had a bit of a shock... Works out about £3.50 a day for gas.

Just moved to another company and had I done it a year ago would have saved myself £320.