Do domestic mechanical gas meters ever go faulty?

Question

I live on my own in a 3 bedroom house. The radiators are turned off in the least used rooms. I don't like it hot, so have the heating on a very low setting. The loft is well insulated and I have double glazing all round. I don't use an excessive amount of hot water when washing, and the washing machine is cold fill only (no hot supply used). My hob is gas, but the oven is electric.

A recent gas bill from a few months ago was £80 for 5 weeks.

Is it possible that my gas meter has become defective and is seriously over-reading? Or is it possible that my boilers efficiency has reduced from the manufacturers claim of approx. 75% to something like 20%?!!!
It was serviced recently and no problems were reported.

Thanks for the replies everyone. The bills were correct readings rather than estimates (the meter is outside and I've double checked it myself - the meter is mechanical digits rather than the really old fashioned dials). I'm on a fixed rate monthly payment plan with my new supplier. The large bill was from my previous supplier, who 'came with the property' from the previous owner. It was approx. 5 weeks between the first and final meter readings.

Answer 1

Hi, yes they can become faulty, the computor part inside them can become corrupted.
You would need to phone up your gas supplier and ask them if it would be possible for them to check your meter, and tell them what you have told us.
But do not forget that most company's have been putting their prices up a lot.

Answer 2

We've recently had a problem with an old dial-type of meter and the customer service guy from British Gas gave us some rubbish about when the dial turns from 9 to 0 it causes it to give a false reading. Eventually the difference is supposed to be made up and you save money later on.

Whether this is true or not, I don't know, but we moved to powergen because of the problem and now pay a lot less. Prices have gone up a lot though.

Answer 3

Certainly anything mechanical could become defective. But statistically I think you are more likely to encounter one of these scenarios...

1) The meter was read wrong.
2) The reading is an "estimate".
3) Are you on a budget? If so they might have upped your payment in sync with the weather conditions and typical use.

The first two might be resolved by you comparing your bill details with your current meter reading.

Answer 4

I actually had this problem. I called the gas co. and I finally convinced them that there was a problem. When they came out they found that there was a gas leak outside next to the fireplace....ie why I never smelled anything....in addition they also replaced the meter which made me think it was in need of replacement. My suggestion is to have the gas company come out and inspect the exterior as well as the meter ...it is a free service...at least in my area it was.

Answer 5

Yes they can go wrong , but is your bill from a reading or an estimated one !!

Answer 6

Get the tester man out.