why do i need new pipes for gas reconnection

Gman0365

I would do as the independent adviser has said. Phone your electric company and ask for a gas meter to be fitted, they will ask whether you have a service. You tell them that you do but that your not sure if its still working as its not been used for years. Dont mention about National Grid wanting to lay new pipes. They will probably arrange for someone to come out to ensure the existing pipe can be used. Once this is done your supplier will arrange for the meter to be installed. This shouldn't be a difficult or expensive process.

As ex-energywatch adviser has stated, when a gas supplier removes a meter they are supposed to arrnage for the gas transporter to physically disconnect the pipe supplying the property thus preventing the illegal use of the gas supply. The regulations stated date back to 1994 which would have been roughly when your meter was removed. I have come across many properties that have had gas supplies at one time and then had the meter removed and have never had the supply disconnected as it should be. Only in reason years has there been such a focus on the correct disconnection of unused gas services.

Premier_2

withabix wrote: »

That would have been easily sorted by going onto a tarrif without one - I'm sure they've been around since then.
...

Iirc, it was British Gas that first started the ball rolling by removing standing charges for their customers. Other companies were forced to follow suit, or at least offer a no standing charge option, to remain competitive.

It appears BG first removed standing charges in April 2000
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/601584.stm

So at the time, it was a sensible decision for jky to have the supply terminated as it was no longer needed.

withabix

Standing charges would probably cost the OP £35 a year (at current rates).

These standing charges would have ensured that the gas meter and supply were available to be used now, 15 years later, without having to comply with new safety regulations imposed by the HSE etc. If any repairs or modifications were required in that 15 year period, that would have been covered by the standing charge.

The network owner is fully within their rights to charge for reconnection and upgrade of supply to current standards, because the OP instructed them to remove the gas supply from her property in the first place. This will have cost them money to start with. She now wants them to incur cost to put the meter back and provide her with a gas supply that meets current legal requirements, at their expense.

The OP took the risk to save £35 per year and that was her risk.

If reconnection costs less than 15 * £35 = £525, then she has saved money by taking the risk that she took.