Using gas whilst away, how is this possible?

Thank you for your replies, I appreciate you taking the time. It is this statement from OVO that is confusing me:

With regard to billing, unfortunately, standing charge is not included with your consumption. We bill you for your month's worth of consumption, add the charge and VAT. By that I think they mean the standing charge will be added at the end of the month

My meter reading is showing the 30 odd p as consumption. Reporting usage as 0.49kwh

I haven’t used any gas at all. I’m hoping you are all correct and this is the standing charge, but it isn’t clear to me from their email

Thanks again

I will wait for OVO to clarify

Hi @C Bates , yes that’s the IHD (in home display) rather than the meter itself and that does show the standing charge and vat along with any power usage. 
When I first saw that, early one morning, I was surprised but it is because the standing charge is added, usually early, each day

Thank you. Yes, it appears around 2am each day.

I thought is was a charge for gas. I’ll stop stressing now 😉

This reply from OVO is still confusing me: I am obviously missing something.

Their response is

As you have mentioned you are seeing you have been billed 32p per day for your usage, this is incorrect - the 32P that has been charged is showing as a monthly running total, what you have used from the start of the month. I can see your usage is very minimal for your Gas.

Please find below your meter read from the beginning of the month up to date:

02/07/23 - 1.040

29/07/23 - 6.134

As you can see you are not a big user, I do understand at the moment we are in the Summer months, so our usage will be less.

Your Daily Standing charge is: £0.2772 per day (excluding VAT) plus the usage you may have used. I know you have mentioned you were in hospital (I do hope you are feeling better), and that the property was empty for a week.

Your Gas meter will still clock around as there is still Gas being sent to your property. The only way to stop this from charging/clocking is by having your Gas meter capped - this stops gas being transported to you.

I am charged the 32p each day on top of my usage, it doesn’t appear to be one 32p as a running total because it is 32p plus my usage. I am only washing up once a day...heating is off. Charge is currently at £2 50 for this week 

I do appreciate your responses.  think it is best to call them

Chris

It might be worth discussing with customer support as no one here has access to your account. The IHD simply shows you your daily usage including the standing charge. It is not a bill. 
It sounds like they are explaining the usage so far which can also be seen via your account. 
https://account.ovoenergy.com/billing-details

They have a system which counts up each day towards you bill for the month

Some years ago, with an earlier Pipit IHD and associated smart meters we could see a regular use of very small amounts of gas at night and whilst on holiday etc.. We contacted Wales & West utilities who sent out an engineer to check the meter, our pipes and the boiler. He found a very small gas leak on the boiler associated with a valve - we hadn’t smelt anything as the gas was being taken up the flue pipe and out. We would have remained blissfully unaware if it hadn’t been for the IHD showing the flow of gas.

It’s always worth getting this checked if you think you can see an unexplained flow of gas, even if you can’t smell anything - your gas transporter won’t charge for a safety check.

Hey @Brizzles55,

That’s really helpful advice! 

For anyone that does believe they have a gas leak there is lots of advice on our website. 

Gas emergency

If you can smell gas or think you have a gas leak: 

• Do open doors and windows to let the gas escape
• Do check your gas appliances are switched off
• Do call the 24 hour National Gas Emergency hotline on 0800 111 999
• Do turn your gas off at the isolation switch (if you know where it is), then wait outside, and let your neighbours know.
• Don't switch lights on or off, use doorbells, mobile phones or use any electrical switches.
• Don't smoke, light a match or use any other kind of naked flame.
• Don't go back into your home until you’ve got the all-clear.

If you're worried fumes containing carbon monoxide are escaping from a gas appliance, call the 24 hour National Gas Emergency hotline on 0800 111 999. For further information about gas safety in the home check out our guide here. 

I didn’t use gas as boiler is broken since Friday. 
The meter says I used gas despite this. 
Saturday: the data is missing because no gas was used.  Has the system decided to default to charging an amount on assumption?

I had neither heating nor hot water but this meter is still charging me. 
 

Hey ​@GFP 

Welcome to the OVO Online Community,

If the smart meter isn’t sending meter readings or is set to monthly meter readings the usage in between may be estimated until a meter reading is received. 

These topics might be helpful:
 

Please keep us posted.

Despite not using gas at all, you are still paying a standing charge.