Radiator is using more water than before

[WolfOfBakerStreet]

When I run one of my radiators the gas meter says more gas is being used than I believe is true. The other radiators are fine. Say, previously, the radiator showed up as using 100 units for 20 minutes. Now, it's saying 200.

Eon say a smart meter is needed/it's a fault on their end/whatever the customer service rep I speak to at the time feels like saying the reason is. I'm currently waiting for them to call me to explain why my meter is giving me faulty readings and to book a smart meter appointment.

Anyone here had any ideas about what is wrong? Do I need to get a plumber to look at the boiler and radiator, or should I wait to see what Eon says?

Cheers.

 

[Madrab]

Erm, have to ask, is this a serious question?

A radiator doesn't use gas. It's the boiler that does that and there isn't really a direct correlation between gas use and just heating one radiator.

 

[muggles]

As Madrab says, your radiators don't use gas, the boiler does that. How are you taking your measurements?

 

[WolfOfBakerStreet]

I don't understand.

I run one radiator, and check the usage by how many units have been used on the gas meter. Like I say, using the radiator for 20 minutes (average time I leave it on) would use x amount of units previously. Now its saying almost double.

How is that not an accurate way of determining how much gas is being used?

 

[sjmac]

Definitely a faulty radiator - must be out of calibration.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

With an old-fashioned boiler (where the gas valve was open or closed) your test would give useful info. Modern boilers modulate the flame depending on the heat load of the system. Its got colder therefore load is greater.
If you had a gas hob, running one or more rings for a period of time would again give a fixed consumption per hour

 

[WolfOfBakerStreet]

Definitely a faulty radiator - must be out of calibration.

And how does one re-calibrate?

 

[WolfOfBakerStreet]

With an old-fashioned boiler (where the gas valve was open or closed) your test would give useful info. Modern boilers modulate the flame depending on the heat load of the system. Its got colder therefore load is greater.
If you had a gas hob, running one or more rings for a period of time would again give a fixed consumption per hour

Yes, but the other two radiators give consistent readings. Not 100% the same every time, but close enough. The radiator in question also has the same consistency.

I've posted this on another forum too and people keep saying the same thing, about how it's impossible to determine how much is being used, but like I keep saying, I leave a rad on for twenty minutes, note the units, and I get consistent readings. That's how I know something is wrong.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

And how does one re-calibrate?

Your local gas board office can offer a recalibration service for radiators.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Your measuring system has too many unmeasured variables. As explained by others, your boiler burns gas to heat water, that water is then cooled by passing it through radiators- the radiators transfer the heat to the room.
Are the radiators fitted with TRVs.
Are you measuring room and rad temperature before and after each run.
(Combi boiler) is it set in preheat.
(Combi boiler) is there any hot water being drawn during your tests.

 

[endecotp]

previously, the radiator showed up as using 100 units for 20 minutes. Now, it's saying 200.

“Previously” to what? Has something been changed?

 

[Mr.B]

And how does one re-calibrate?

 

[sjmac]

Not sure why people bother with re calibration. Rads are so cheap, its easier to scrap them and replace

 

[WolfOfBakerStreet]

Gas board? And trying to re calibrate the rads myself would likely result in my burning my street down

 

[WolfOfBakerStreet]

“Previously” to what? Has something been changed?

Maybe I'm being paranoid but over the summer I had my boiler serviced. But it was by a friend of my landlord who is very nice but I think a bit incompetent. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he'd done something to cause this.