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Rank 1
May 18, 2025
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Need help understanding my bill - do gas meters show usage in KWH's?

Hi everyone,

I’ve just received my latest gas bill and I’m really confused by the usage.

My meter reads directly in kWh, and the readings were:

  • 2 May: 73367

  • 15 May: 73584

  • 18 May: 73614

That’s a total usage of 247 kWh, but my bill says I’ve used 2776.16 kWh, and I’m being charged £161.35 before VAT.

I’m not sure where the 2776 kWh figure is coming from when the difference between my meter readings clearly shows just 247 kWh used. Has anyone else experienced something like this or have any idea what could be going on?

Would appreciate any advice – thanks!

 

Nukecad
NukecadBest Answer
Super User
May 18, 2025

Updated on 29/05/25 by Ben_OVO

Gas meters do not, can not, read directly in kWh.

You cannot measure gas directly in kWh because the composition of the gas, and so how much energy (kWh) it gives when burned, changes all the time.
That is known as the ‘Calorific Value’ of the gas - and it is monitored daily and the figures published.

Instead gas meters read the volume of gas consumed in cubic Metres (or cubic feet if it’s a very old meter).

That is then converted to kWh using a standard calculation factor.

The conversion calculation used is given on each bill that you get and is:

 

Your readings above are showing 73614 - 73667 = 247 m3 used so depending on the actual Calorific Values for the days in question around 2776 seems correct.
However it does also seem quite a high usage for the time of year.

Edit- Firedog has identified what is probably happening here, if you have been sending in the ‘estimated kWh’ by mistake instead of the m3 then that could explain it.

To find the calculation shown above you’ll need to download your bills and check page 3 of the statement. Here’s a handy guide that shows you how to download your statements:

 

I said, Hey - Watts going on.

12 replies

Rank 6
May 20, 2025

Calvinm518 

It appears that with Firedogs comprehensive explanation and understanding of the incorrect conversions that have happened since you switched to OVO I’ve been extremely fortunate to not have had any problems with OVO since they took over from previous supplier. I have had my Smart meters a few years now & no problems thank goodness. If I should have a problem I can’t sort with customer service peeps I hope Firedog and all the other very knowledgeable peeps on here, are able to help explain, so I can understand. I’m not the sharpest pencil in the box, but even I get the gist now of Firedogs explanation. Good luck getting it sorted with customers service agents and resolving the discrepancies 

Chris 

P.S Hopefully you’ll get a nice large refund. Treat yourself it’s savings you didn’t know you’d made. Unfortunately you haven’t earned interest but that’s incidental now Just get your refund. 👍

Wibbly Wobbly Hypermobile - EDS’er
Ben_OVO
Community Manager
Community Manager
May 20, 2025

Thanks ​@Firedog for all your great info here, and ​@calvinm518 I’m glad to hear you’ve got to the bottom of things! Don’t worry, this is easily rectified 😁.

 

Hopefully the opening readings used following the switch of suppliers are accurate, and it’s just the readings given to OVO since switching that need changing. All you need to do is get in touch with Support. If you explain the situation and give them a photograph of an up to date reading they’ll be able to get the billing amended. if the worst comes to the worst, and the opening reading is also incorrect, this can be resolved through a process called a Read Dispute.

 

 

let us know how you get on!

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