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Tjw50
Rank 2
August 7, 2022
Solved

How to work out gas readings and usage from M3 and kWh?

  • August 7, 2022
  • 21 replies
  • 11022 views

Hi. New to Ovo so just looking for some help to understand the readings below.

It says:

Opening reading on 7 july estimated 5157

Closing reading as of 28 july (you gave) 5177

Units used 221.15 kWh.

Am I looking at this wrong because surely the difference between these readings is 20 not 221.15???

Best answer by TomThumb

Updated on 02/09/25 by Chris_OVO:

 

@Tjw50 Hope I can shed some light on this for you

 

In short, Metered units are not the same as kWh units,

 

Units    Calorific value  X    1.02264  ~  3.6    =  kWh

20       X    39?                  X    1.02264    ~ 3.6 = 221.5 kWh

 

(this close to midnight I think my maths is ok) lol

(although I couldn’t find the divide symbol 👀)

 

The conversion as stated by OVO is

 

We convert your metered gas units to kWh using the following formula:
Metered volume × metric conversion factor1 × daily calorific value2 × 1.02264 (volume correction) ÷ 3.6 = kilowatt hours (kWh) used.
1 We convert the gas use into kWh according to your meter type – 2.83 (imperial) or 1 (metric).
2 The calorific value of gas changes every day and can range from 37.5 to 43.0. To find out calorific values used to calculate your charges you can visit: www.nationalgridgas.com/data-and-operations/calorific- value-cv
           
 

Tom…

21 replies

T
Newcomer
Thickgoatee
Newcomer
August 7, 2022

I would contact them with alacrity. You are quite correct that's surely only 20 units used.

I had to wait nearly 3 weeks to get a refund for monies wrongfully taken from my account.

 

Kindest regards from Clive 

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
August 7, 2022

Actually, gas meter readings are usually done in M3 (Meters Cubed) and then converted to kWh by the billing platform. This is unlike electric meters which always record using kWh directly.

I ran the conversion myself using one of my tools and got the result 223.7355, so your result from OVO of 221.15 seems about right to me.

You are right though. Based on your question, you did seem to only use 20 M3 of gas during that period, but it’s the kWh conversion result that matters and this has to be generated using a specific formula that I can never recall. Given that the conversion spits out 223.7355 for me (and doesn’t factor in the Calorific Value), I’m pretty confident you were billed correctly.

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TomThumb
Rank 6
TomThumbSolved
Rank 6
August 7, 2022

Updated on 02/09/25 by Chris_OVO:

 

@Tjw50 Hope I can shed some light on this for you

 

In short, Metered units are not the same as kWh units,

 

Units    Calorific value  X    1.02264  ~  3.6    =  kWh

20       X    39?                  X    1.02264    ~ 3.6 = 221.5 kWh

 

(this close to midnight I think my maths is ok) lol

(although I couldn’t find the divide symbol 👀)

 

The conversion as stated by OVO is

 

We convert your metered gas units to kWh using the following formula:
Metered volume × metric conversion factor1 × daily calorific value2 × 1.02264 (volume correction) ÷ 3.6 = kilowatt hours (kWh) used.
1 We convert the gas use into kWh according to your meter type – 2.83 (imperial) or 1 (metric).
2 The calorific value of gas changes every day and can range from 37.5 to 43.0. To find out calorific values used to calculate your charges you can visit: www.nationalgridgas.com/data-and-operations/calorific- value-cv
           
 

Tom…

3 meters: Smart Gas & Smart Elec / Traditional Gas meter
    T
    Rank 2
    Tjw50Author
    Rank 2
    August 8, 2022

    Thanks everyone

      T
      Newcomer
      Thiierryy
      Newcomer
      December 18, 2022

      Hi ,

       

       I’m trying to understand where the charges for 2577.789 kWh in Gas is coming from .. I’ve been going through both the usage ever since we moved in, with the meter reading we gave and I’m not sure what OVO did. Of course can’t get any support from them to get it rectified. 

      if anyone has an idea where it could be from ? 
       

       

       

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      December 18, 2022

      Your gas reading has to be converted to get the kWh data. Your bill shows this 

      As a rough calculation from your meter, it looks about right. The kWh is then used along with your unit rate to calculate your bill

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
        H
        Newcomer
        Hafnia
        Newcomer
        December 18, 2022

        To be honest, as @BPLightlog says, if those meter readings are correct, it really doesn’t look like there is anything to rectify.

         

         

        Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
        T
        Newcomer
        Thiierryy
        Newcomer
        December 18, 2022

        Hi ,

         

        Thanks for the answers i did some research and calculation, it seems to be correct. 

        Was a bit shocked at first but i guess i need to adjust the Heating system. 

         

        Thank you :) 

          P
          Newcomer
          Pappi
          Newcomer
          January 22, 2023

          How do I convert my units of gas used into kWh ? Am using the formula suggested where you take the units used x1.02264 then x30 then divide by 3.6...doesnt tally with that on my bill. I have units used as 49 and a bill of £153.42. is that correct? Please advise. Am very confused.

          P
          Newcomer
          Pappi
          Newcomer
          January 22, 2023

          Oops...meant to say x1.02264 then X 39 then divide by 3.6....

          Show more replies
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