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Colin W
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March 7, 2023
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Would anyone kindly help with converting a very old imperial meter reading to kwh please?

  • March 7, 2023
  • 75 replies
  • 3809 views

Hello, I have a very old imperial meter made by Parkinson Cowan (Ser/ No S512290) that works in ft2. Would someone kindly help with the conversion to kwh please. I also would like to know if it measures in ft2 or 100ft2. This is an image, many thanks.

 

Best answer by BPLightlog

Updated on 20/07/26 by Ben_OVO

Ok so it’s measuring in cubic feet (ft3) the reading on the dial is 4974 (ignore the Red figure) and the calculations are like this (posted on your bill)

So the extra piece to understand is the x 2.83 along with the others to get kWh. 
If the previous reading was 4874 for example the difference is 100 so the calculation would be:

100 x 2.83 x calorific value (typically 39) x 1.02264

The result is then divided by 3.6 to get kwh

Remember that the calorific value varies so that figure can change (and does).

 

The calculation above is shown on your monthly statements, which can be viewed on your app and online account by following the guide below:

 

 

If you’ve got an imperial gas meter then it may be old, and may have reached the end of it’s certification. We’d recommend upgrading to a smart meter free of charge. Smart meters send reads to us automatically so you don’t have to, meaning your bills won’t be to estimated readings. You can find out more, and book an appointment, here.

 

 

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Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
March 7, 2023

That’s definitely another possibility which I’ve seen before a long time ago. However, as a four digit meter… I’m not sure that flaw would apply here as it’s likely that it’d get flagged.

I THINK a Read Dispute can attempt to fix those scenarios if that really is the case though.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
BPLightlog
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BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
March 7, 2023

Thank you, however, is it not measuring in ft2 not 100’s ft2 ?. I have a small 3 bed semi, a new combi boiler, heating that runs just 5 hrs a day with the stat set at 20. A recent test shows no loss of gas anywhere in the house and boiler regularly properly serviced.

Taking all that into account my meter reported last year’s usage as 46000kwh. (4 x national average for a similar property. Cost of £5k.

My ajoining neighbour also lives alone, her heating runs 14 hrs/day and her usage if ¼ of mine.

So I am confused and concerned.

I’ve just done a calculation for your full meter reading 4974 and even with a previous reading of zero, there is approx 156,000 kWh of gas used. 
Presuming that the meter has not gone from zero to the current reading in under 4 years your usage of 46,000 kWh looks wrong. 
Do you have any previous readings to check? What was the start reading of your last bill?

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
C
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Colin WAuthor
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March 7, 2023

Thank you everyone, the reading are definitely not including the red numbers, just the four black numbers.
I’m confused by the conversion to metres number of 2.83, surely this would apply to meters that measure 100’s of feet2 rather than ft2. I see from many sites (including Ovo’s site) that for a meter measuring ft2 then the conversion multiple is 0.0283.

BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
March 7, 2023

Thank you everyone, the reading are definitely not including the red numbers, just the four black numbers.
I’m confused by the conversion to metres number of 2.83, surely this would apply to meters that measure 100’s of feet2 rather than ft2. I see from many sites (including Ovo’s site) that for a meter measuring ft2 then the conversion multiple is 0.0283.

Taking the 4 black numbers you are using a reading in 100’s cubic feet. 
Your full reading in just cubic feet would be 497430 but I don’t know of a supplier who uses that format. 
Do you have an earlier reading to check bills against?

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
C
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Colin WAuthor
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March 7, 2023

I have just checked last years readings. From 23/2/21 to 24/12/22 the readings were 3241 - 4758. A total of 1517. So using the above formula,
1517 x 2.83 x 1.02264 x 40 / 3.6 = 48,781 kwh per year.

But further, the heating was running for a calculated 2200 hours over that time (approximately) which is 22 kw’s per hour.

Something is really off there !

BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
March 7, 2023

Was your picture of the meter from today @Colin W ?

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
C
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Colin WAuthor
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March 7, 2023

No, taken 1/3/23.

BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
March 7, 2023

No, taken 1/3/23.

Ok so since the Dec reading that calculates to around 6775 kWh. Given it’s winter that’s perhaps a little high but if I look at my usage over the same time frame, I used 5900 kWh. 
Presuming that you switch down or off during summer so you should use less during other seasons I can’t get to your 48,000 kWh for a year. 
 

It might be worth checking readings over the next weeks and/or getting a load test done on the meter - or getting the meter swapped out

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
    C
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    Colin WAuthor
    Rank 4
    March 7, 2023

    OK, thanks for your help. I have arranged for a full test with the meter being sent for testing. Boiler and whole gas system checks out ok but I’m still concerned.

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      March 7, 2023

      No worries.

      If the meter is confirmed to be inaccurate, you will not only get the test fee refunded in full, but OVO would also attempt to calculate how much you were overcharged and refund that too. You could be in for quite a big refund!

      No payment is due from you if the meter was underclocking so you don’t lose out there either.

      Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
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