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C
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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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C
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Colin WAuthor
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March 8, 2023

no apology necessary, I confuse myself sometimes !

Jeffus
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Jeffus
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March 9, 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 !

You typed 23/2/21 to 24/12/22? 

That is 669 days. 

Did you mean to type that? 

Do you know the kW rating of your gas boiler? 

 

C
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Colin WAuthor
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March 9, 2023

Thank you, no, I meant 23/2/22 to 24/12/22 - 304 days. Should also have been 48.781 kwhs over those 304 days. Heating on for only average of 5 -7 hours a day with stats down at 19 - 20 degrees. fully serviced modern condensing combi boiler. Sorry, I don’t know the kwh boiler rating.

    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    March 9, 2023

    Thank you, no, I meant 23/2/22 to 24/12/22 - 304 days. Should also have been 48.781 kwhs over those 304 days. Heating on for only average of 5 -7 hours a day with stats down at 19 - 20 degrees. fully serviced modern condensing combi boiler. Sorry, I don’t know the kwh boiler rating.

    Good to know. I did wonder about the dates.

    I agree it is a good idea to get the meter checked out. 

    Hopefully they will swap it for a smart meter so you can get a reading every 30min to be able to better diagnose any different issues in the future.

    Has it been this high for many years? 

    C
    Rank 4
    Colin WAuthor
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    March 9, 2023

    Hi Jeffus,  yes, I think so but up until recently the bills were being managed by another. I just paid them !
    When I add the readings into Excel it shows out immediately. 

    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    Jeffus
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    March 9, 2023

    Hi Jeffus,  yes, I think so but up until recently the bills were being managed by another. I just paid them !
    When I add the readings into Excel it shows out immediately. 

    I assume there is no hot water tank as you say it is a combi boiler. 

    C
    Rank 4
    Colin WAuthor
    Rank 4
    March 9, 2023

    That’s correct, no hot cylinder. There’s just me living there in a recently completely renovated 3 bed semi. I work 5 days and have the boiler settings all at optimum, use a dishwasher usually 2 or 3 times a week. Heating is on 6 hrs / day with the stats set low.
    An identical house next door, in the last 3 months with heating running 14 hrs/day 7 days/week used 6999kwh. Apparently I used 8500kwh for the same period in 1/3 the hours.

    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    March 9, 2023

    That’s correct, no hot cylinder. There’s just me living there in a recently completely renovated 3 bed semi. I work 5 days and have the boiler settings all at optimum, use a dishwasher usually 2 or 3 times a week. Heating is on 6 hrs / day with the stats set low.
    An identical house next door, in the last 3 months with heating running 14 hrs/day 7 days/week used 6999kwh. Apparently I used 8500kwh for the same period in 1/3 the hours.

    That is one of the strange things i see was mentioned in another post. 

    8500 kWh over 3 months in winter doesn't equate to 48000 over a year.

    I wonder why you are seeing that anomaly. I assume you have had the gas boiler for several years? 

    The dishwasher is likely cold fill i suspect. 

     

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    March 9, 2023

    One other thought just reading the thread again @Colin W is on the house itself. Does it have cavity walls and if so are they insulated? Also the loft space - is there insulation there? This could all make quite a difference on energy use

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      N
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      newjerseyminx
      Rank 5
      March 26, 2023

      Hi .  I also have an imperial gas meter and have been attempting to double check my gas calculations.  I have a question regarding the calorific value to use in the calculation formula.  I used the web link on my bill to find the calorific value report in order to obtain a value to do my sums.  However, as the calorific values change on a daily basis then I have 2 questions to ask:   Is OVO using the value for the South East or Southern to work out my bill?  I live in Chichester (West Sussex).  And what date is it using to get the calorific value?  My meter readings are due on the 19th day of each month so is that the date I should be using?

      Please advise because if you don’t know the region or the date for the calorific value then you get different answers when you do the calculation.

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