With the recent energy price cap increase and the increase in the cost of gas per kwh you are probably wondering how much gas your boiler actually uses.
The exact gas consumption of your boiler will depend on a variety of factors, such as the amount of time you use it (hours per day), it’s size (measured in kWh) as well as it’s efficiency rating and the boiler temperature settings you use.
Boiler sizes in the UK are measured in kilowatts (kW) and range from 24 kW all the way to around 40 kW.
However, an average 35 kWh gas boiler in the UK will consume 35 kilowatt-hours worth of gas.
Therefore, if you have your gas boiler running for around 8 hours a day, it will use around 280 kWh of gas.
How to work out how much gas your boiler uses
The above example is based on the UK average boiler size of 35 kW, however, if your boiler is a different size, you can easily work it out by using the following formula:
Your boiler size (in kW) x the number of hours used per day = daily gas consumption (measured in kWh).
For example, if your boiler has a size (in power output) of 30 kW and you use it for 5 hours each day, you will be using 150 kWh of gas each day.
As of October 2024, with the updated cost of gas at 7p per kWh, the expense to run a 30 kW heater for an hour would be approximately £2.10.
Please note that this figure will also depend on other factors like the current cost of gas and the size and age of your boiler.
Is your boiler using too much gas?
If you believe your boiler may be using too much gas, then the first thing to do is verify your usage and compare it against your gas bill.
Checking your gas usage against your bill will tell you if you have been under or over charged by your energy supplier.
Even if there are no irregularities in your energy bill, it’s still a good idea to regularly check your energy usage so that you can keep tabs on it and moderate your behaviour as much as possible.
This in turn can help you reduce your energy use and save money on your heating bills.
How much gas does it cost to run gas central heating per hour?
Energy prices change a few times a year in the UK, in line with the energy price cap, therefore, it’s always worth checking the latest figures.
However, at present, the cost of gas per hour is 7p per kWh, that means it will cost £2.10 to run a 30 kW per hour.
Heard about the gas boiler ban and wondering what the alternatives to gas boilers are? Read our complete guide to replacing your gas boiler with a heat pump.
How much gas does a boiler use conclusion
The reality is that gas boilers use a lot of gas on an annual basis and with the energy price cap changes, the costs are extremely high.
If you believe your gas boiler or household in general is using too much gas, the best step to take is to first check your consumption against your energy bill.
If there are irregularities in your bill, it’s a good idea to take it up with your supplier at the earliest opportunity.
If you still think there is a problem, it may be a good idea to get your boiler serviced and checked by a registered Gas Safe engineer.
Remember support and help with energy bills is available in the form of free fuel vouchers and the government’s energy subsidy.
How old is your boiler? Should you consider a boiler repair or start looking at the latest boiler prices? It’s no secret that boiler efficiency deteriorates over time.