Gas Bills Explained: Units, Slabs and Winter Spikes

Natural gas bills often look small in summer and large in winter. The reason is how the meter, the units and the price slabs work.

What is on the bill

• Consumer number: printed on the bill. In Pakistan SNGPL consumers have an 11-digit number and SSGC customers a 10-digit number.
• Meter reading: the previous and present readings give the volume used.
• Units: the volume is converted to heat units for billing, so the units on the bill are not the same as the meter dial.
• Slabs: use more and the price per unit rises. Heaters running through winter can move a home into a higher slab.
• Fixed charges and taxes: added to every bill.

Why winter is expensive

Heating and hot water run longer, and a bill that covers a long period is sometimes read at the end, so the whole use is priced in the higher slab. This is why a bill can seem much bigger than the average usage suggests.

Ways to reduce it

1. Use heaters only in the rooms in use, and close doors.
2. Set the geyser to a lower temperature, or use a timer.
3. Seal windows and gaps.
4. Check for leaks: if the meter moves with all appliances off, call the company.
5. Note your meter reading each month so you can compare it with the bill.

Record each month in the bill tracker and you will see the winter jump coming.