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E
Rank 2
epwg
Rank 2
December 13, 2022
Solved

Gas meter is clocking incredibly high usage with no one in the house?

  • December 13, 2022
  • 33 replies
  • 21788 views

We have been seeing incredibly high gas usage for the last few months or so, even when no one is in the house. We’ve not even had our heating on yet and it’s mid December because we are so concerned about the usage clocking up just using the boiler for hot water. For example on Sunday no one was home between the hours of 4.30pm-11.30pm and we clocked up around 60kwh of usage according to the OVO app:

For reference I live in a moderately sized 4 bedroom flat, in a block of 5 flats. We are currently only using the gas for hot water for showers or washing up.

Temperatures are now below freezing so we want to put our heating on but with the extra usage clocking up our bill is already unmanageable and we are lost at what to do next. Can anyone offer any advice?

Best answer by BPLightlog

Updated on 29/04/26 by Ben_OVO

 

@epwg I’ve been looking back through the detail here and think there’s a distinct possibility either that there’s a leak (which would need looking at very quickly) or you are seeing usage reading from another property. Is there a possibility of you switching your gas off or are you absolutely sure there’s nothing using any gas?

 

Another option is to check your actual meter readings over a day and that can be compared with the kWh being reported. 


Just looking at the half-hourly readings you’ve posted and it really looks like a high use over those times, somewhat akin to a boiler switching on for a while. 


The cold weather can affect pipe work and so it could be a leak expanding and contracting but I’m not sure it would be on that.

 

 You can find a handy guide for checking your Usage data on the app here:

 

 

We’ve got some related topics that may also be useful:

 

33 replies

A
Rank 2
Amerififer
Rank 2
December 8, 2022

Can anyone explain to me the usage graph shown in attached photo from yesterday. This was my supposed gas usage. I was at work,out of the house from 6:30 am until close to 5 pm. Heating was set at 13c.

 

G
Rank 5
GrumpyTrucker
Rank 5
December 8, 2022

Combi or standard boiler? Hot water cylinder with hot water on constant?

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    December 8, 2022

    Hi @Amerififer this is from the Bright app, yes?

    If you look under settings, you will see time probably set as UTC. We are currently UTC+0 and so check for the right time zone. For some reason on mine I have to make this adjustment each time I open the app. 
    I expect that your system also intermittently came on as it was quite cold outside. Also if you have pre-heat on the hot water, that will show use in between times too

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      A
      Rank 2
      Amerififer
      Rank 2
      December 8, 2022

      Combi or standard boiler? Hot water cylinder with hot water on constant?

      Combi boiler. Under a year old. 

      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      December 8, 2022

      Combi or standard boiler? Hot water cylinder with hot water on constant?

      Combi boiler. Under a year old. 

      May be best to ask company who installed the boiler for their thoughts then. Let us know what they say. 

      Do you know the make and model of the boiler? Do you have a user manual for the boiler?

      A
      Rank 2
      Amerififer
      Rank 2
      December 8, 2022

      Combi or standard boiler? Hot water cylinder with hot water on constant?

      Combi boiler. Under a year old. 

      May be best to ask company who installed the boiler for their thoughts. Let us know what they say. 

      Do you know the make and model of the boiler? Do you have a user manual for the boiler? 

      Yep :) Baxi 800 series.. and yep have the manual.. couldn’t find anything in it about a pre heat function or how to find it.. 

       

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      December 8, 2022

      Just read through the manual @Amerififer and you’re right it doesn’t mention pre-heat so perhaps you can’t adjust .. not sure but others talk about controlling with a uSense thermostat. 
      On page 16 of the manual it talks about frost control so depending on where the boiler is, perhaps that is kicking in?

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      December 8, 2022

      Combi or standard boiler? Hot water cylinder with hot water on constant?

      Combi boiler. Under a year old. 

      May be best to ask company who installed the boiler for their thoughts. Let us know what they say. 

      Do you know the make and model of the boiler? Do you have a user manual for the boiler? 

      Yep :) Baxi 800 series.. and yep have the manual.. couldn’t find anything in it about a pre heat function or how to find it.. 

       

      Then i seriously suggest you ask the boiler  installer then. I think they would have a better idea about how to diagnose if it was a boiler or other issue.

      I don't think i would try anything else until someone checked your gas boiler etc. 

        G
        Rank 5
        GrumpyTrucker
        Rank 5
        December 8, 2022

        My instinct, since there's only very little heating being used - unless you live in a very cold area and the room your thermostat is in is actually dropping to below 13° - is that it's something to do with the hot water system or the boiler keeping everything 'unfrozen'. I'd definitely ask the installer if he has a clue why.

        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        December 8, 2022

        @Amerififer if you are entitled then sign up for this.

        You may feel you fit into one of the categories. 

        https://www.ovoenergy.com/help/priority-services-register

        You are then entitled to a free gas safety check. 

         

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