I've just received an estimated gas bill. It shows that I'm =A31200 in arrears. I took a reading from my gas meter and found out that the estimate was low. After calculating the real value, I found out that I should be =A31500 in arrears.
This worried me. I checked and re-checked all my bills and readings that I'd taken over the last few years. Everything seemed to point to the gas bill being massively in arrears.
However, I rechecked my gas meter and was surprised to find out that it measures in cubic metres whereas my gas bill is in hcf (hundreds of cubic feet). This would result in my gas bill being 283% of what it should be.
It only takes five seconds to compare your gas bill units with your gas meter units.
With all the talk of gas price rises, there's much emphasis on changing supplier. So, suppose your gas supplier is lax in checking whether your gas meter is in cubic metres. You'll run up a large bill, get a fright, settle the bill and move to a different supplier. If the new supplier uses the correct units, you'll get a much-reduced bill and feel good that you've moved. Ironically, the original supplier could have had a lower gas price.
Ask your neighbours/family members to do the 'five second check'. I'd be surprised if there weren't a couple with suppliers using the wrong units.
Everyone thinks that suppliers working with estimated readings is a scandal; this is the REAL scandal, if not criminal fraud.