National Grid want to exchange our gas meter

cornerstone13

We've received a letter yesterday from National Grid Metering to say they want to exchange our gas meter as it's been "identified as being of an age that is coming to the end of its useful life". But our house is less than 20 years old.

We live on an estate of 150 houses and it seems by asking around that about 10% of the houses have received these letters.

It also gives a date one week from today for the appointment; they require access to our property and don't give any indication of the time they will come - wonder if they'll pay for my lost wages when I wait in for them all day. If I could get through, I could ask them ! If I want to change the appt I have to give at least 15 days notice - um, how about sending me the letter earlier then.

Has anyone heard of this, or know why it is likely to be done on a "young" meter. I've tried calling National Grid just to be put in their queuing system.

jd87

It's not a young meter. I'd say 20 years seems about right. If you are calling them on this number 0121 424 8000, it's a landline number and won't be costing very much. Sorry but we all have to wait in queues these days.

JHEATON_2

On your letter from natioanl grid there should be their web site www.nationalgrid.com.metering or 0845 606 6766.I've had issues with their exchange program and its still not sorted from August.I've had 4 days off from work on various days waiting in for them to change the meter, this is another issue I have, see thread JHEATON.

Pssst

Meters never use to get changed unless they went faulty or leaked. This changed some years back and there are now rolling programs of exchanges so yours falls in line with that.

You can ring and sort out a more definite timeslot or even reschedule the date to suit. This will make them happy as access rates for this kind of work are lamentably poor and so it works both ways. As for anyone who has waited in and no one turned up,did a no access card get left or did they just not show? If so,there are target standards of service to be met and you could be entitled to a standard compo payment.

mykidsmum_2

Pssst wrote: »

Meters never use to get changed unless they went faulty or leaked. This changed some years back and there are now rolling programs of exchanges so yours falls in line with that.

You can ring and sort out a more definite timeslot or even reschedule the date to suit. This will make them happy as access rates for this kind of work are lamentably poor and so it works both ways. As for anyone who has waited in and no one turned up,did a no access card get left or did they just not show? If so,there are target standards of service to be met and you could be entitled to a standard compo payment.

we had one of these letters back in july, still waiting for the 'chap' to turn up, we had a freephone number to call, but its just a recorded message!, never had any correspondence to say they had called but we were out etc...

Pssst

NG Metering-try this number 0845 606 6766

oldwiring

JHEATON wrote: »

On your letter from natioanl grid there should be their web site www.nationalgrid.com.metering or 0845 606 6766.

Actually I think it's http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Metering/

lemontart

step 1If they have a contact number they call to make appt, 2 if no number a letter is sent with appt and contact number to to call if not suitable. or you can complete this form online with a more suitable date

http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Metering/pme/

the work takes approx 30 mins to carry out and naturally this change of meter is free of charge.

If you have any further questions check out the faq section here

http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/metering/PME/faq.htm

bryanb

Make sure you read the old meter before they remove it. also check the reading on the new one.

apurplemind

I used to work at Transco a couple of years ago and have had my meter exchanged. Its not classed as an emergency so they dont like giving appointments as gas leaks take priority ( that was the case before bits of the company was sold up anyway). When I got a letter asking about a meter change I asked could a note be put on the system asking for after 4pm (they dont have to do this, but some engineers will send the job back so it can be re-issued). Anyway that guy turned up earlier, and I rang to reschedule-was offered AM/PM and chose AM, however the guy who was given the job had seen that I had originally requested after 4 and rejected the job, and came at 5pm!!!

Meters are changed on a rolling programme-from imperial to metric and tend to be on an age and manufacturer base.

Hope that helps.

A

charliemac_2

Every electric meter has a calibration year on the front of them.
There are many makes of meter out there, and each make has a different life span.
Changing meters for recert is a requirement from OFGEM
This applies to ALL meter operators.
Your neighbour might have a newer meter than you because maybe at some point theirs was changed, or the meter fitted in your house was one that was at the back of the mans van at the time.
The older clockwork meters have a long life span, but the newer electronic digital ones have a very short life span of about 9 years.
You cannot refuse to have your meter changed when it is due for recertification.
Refusing access could lead to having a warrant issued to gain access to the property.