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 11/03/25 by Ben_OVO
You can find a handy guide for checking your Usage data on the app here:
@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
We’ve got some related topics that may also be useful:
@BPLightlog would you expect a leak to show as peaks and troughs through the day or would it show a consistent amount?
If it’s a small joint leak it could change in the temperature variation during the day, although the energy shown on your readings looks a bit high for that.
epwg wrote:
When you saying switching the gas off do you mean at the valve? I believe our only gas applicants is the boiler as per our gas safety certificate send by landlord which is currently off at the mains but could switch off at the valve
There should be a valve by the gas meter. It will look like this
epwg wrote:
I’ll have a look at the meter readings over the full day tomorrow and convert to kWh to check if it matches up and report back!
Ok - it’s worth checking with neighbours as @juliamc mentions if you can
With all this talk about potential leaks, whether or not it is a leak or not, i can't help thinking the only advice we should be giving is to get a local qualified gas engineer to come and diagnose what the issue may be?
I don't think i would be turning the gas on and off if it were my house to try and diagnose potential causes in this situation.
Safety first of course - with the readings shown, I doubt it is a leak especially if there’s no smell of gas. If I had a leak I think one of the first things I’d do is to turn the gas off but here if the supply was absolutely off for a specific period of time it will show whether the usage is correct if not
Hi everyone thanks so much for all your previous advice
It’s been a busy week so haven’t been able to focus on this as I’d have liked but I think I’ve finally cracked it! We turned our gas off at the valve last night and another flat complained that their hot water wasn’t working, while ours was still working - so it seems we have a crossed meter. Will reach out to OVO with this information and hopefully we will finally get a resolution!
Hi everyone thanks so much for all your previous advice
It’s been a busy week so haven’t been able to focus on this as I’d have liked but I think I’ve finally cracked it! We turned our gas off at the valve last night and another flat complained that their hot water wasn’t working, while ours was still working - so it seems we have a crossed meter. Will reach out to OVO with this information and hopefully we will finally get a resolution!
Glad you’ve found the cause. Do you know which one is yours now? and hopefully you’ve put your heating on
I have a big problem since they changed the meter to gasmy last reading is different from the one on the new meter screenit grows very fast in two days it has 00023.870 m3 and growing more and moreI waited for the engineer to come yesterday and he didn't come nor did anyone call me to inform meI called them and they said that someone from ovo would call me yesterday and today but no one called mewhat to dowhat is the problem and how can i solve it?
I have a big problem since they changed the meter to gasmy last reading is different from the one on the new meter screenit grows very fast in two days it has 00023.870 m3 and growing more and moreI waited for the engineer to come yesterday and he didn't come nor did anyone call me to inform meI called them and they said that someone from ovo would call me yesterday and today but no one called mewhat to dowhat is the problem and how can i solve it?
When a meter exchange takes place the engineer will make a note of the removal reading of the old meter, you’ll get a final bill for that meter. Then make a note of the install read of your new meter, you’ll be billed from this reading. There should be a white or yellow sticker on the meter with these readings.
If you’re concerned your meter is clocking to fast, these topic’s may help:
We use 3 different kinds of cookies. You can choose which cookies you want to accept. We need basic cookies to make this site work, therefore these are the minimum you can select. Learn more about our cookies.
