[MattB]

I have been with eon.next for many years. Recently changed to smart meters. I monitor with the smartview2 ihd, ivie bud ihd, and Bright app. All three give consistent information.

It appears that 1-1.5kwh gas are constantly used during the night from 22:00 to 05:00. This is despite the fact that the hot water is not programmed to start until 5am, and every room in the house is controlled by Tado smart radiator valves and smart thermostats in every room. Currently only 3 rooms are programmed to have heating schedule and I can see from the Tado app that none are calling for heat between 22:00 and 0:500. The Tado is very accurate and their data correlates with the TRVs opening and closing (you can hear them). There is no pilot light in the boiler.

Any explanation as to why gas is being used when no gas should be needed?

Attachment 1742

[retrotecchie]

@MattB

I'm assuming you have a gas combi boiler? If so, look for a 'comfort' or eco setting in your hot water controls. Turn it off!

Many newer combis have a comfort setting, which keeps the internal reservoir temperature up, so when you turn a tap on, the water is hot pretty instantly. This will tick over throughout the night using a little gas here and there. On a very modern modulating boiler, you might not even hear it kick in.

Over a 24 hour period, that 'comfort' adds up. It's the modern equivalent of having a pilot light running 24/7.

[MattB]

Actually those are 30 minute periods for gas use so the hourly rates are double what I quoted. Between 2 and 3 kWh every hour.

[MattB]

Thanks retro for replying.

it is a system boiler with a pressurised tank. The tank is thermostat controlled and there is a Honeywell programmer for hot water heating times.

[retrotecchie]

@MattB

In which case, less likely then, but still possible on some programmers I have used. To rule out the problem, you could try switching the boiler off at the mains overnight. If gas usage drops to zero while the boiler is powered down, there is the culprit.

Otherwise, pick a time when it is least inconvenient. Take a physical reading from the gas meter itself, not an app or IHD.

Physically shut off the gas at the main control valve for an hour, Take another reading. If the two readings are not identical, you have what is known as 'meter creep' and will likely need your meter replacing.

[Beki]

@MattB Do the units on your actual meter change during that time? Can you check it before you go to bed and before any usage in the morning?
Bit long winded I know but it would be interesting to find out if it's just IHD usage or actual usage?

[retrotecchie]

@Beki_EONNext

And if the display is interpolating usage (gas meters do not send data at half hour intervals) on the basis of cost, don't forget your standing charge is applied around midnight. One day of standing charge, 30 some odd pence is the equivalent cost of around 3kWh of gas.

[MattB]

The meter readings do change. I haven’t tested it at night but I switched all the heating off during the day (no HW) and took actual meter readings (using the A button) an hour apart. The reading increased and correlated with the app & ihd data.

Strange if meter creeping because only installed a month ago.

[MattB]

Do the actual meter readings change to reflect a standing charge? That was not my understanding.

[retrotecchie]

@MattB

Try the same trick, but rather than turn the heating off, shut off the gas control valve. See if that has any effect. If it does, you either have mete creep, or a gas leak potentially. If you ain't using gas, but flow is being metered it can only mean gas is going somewhere, or the meter is faulty.

Your display is also showing that there isn't one single half hour period of the day when something isn't using gas....that is not right! That could just be down to shonky software, to be fair., but is indicative of meter creep or a gas leak.