new gas meter

churchrat

hello
I have just had aletter from onstream saying that they are working for british gas and NEED to replace the gas meter.

We had someone call round last yr to do this but I refused to let him because he said that he would not relight the boiler after he had changed the meter. He said that my boiler was not meeting all requiremnts of legislation because it is too far from an air vent.

This is a load of pants as I have the boiler checked each yr, and although I know I could not have a new one in the same place, it does not mean that the old one is not safe. If that was the case then thousands of people would need boilers replaced each time the legislation changes.:rolleyes:

Anyway, to get to the point---do I HAVE to have a new meter fitted?? quite apart from the not lighting issue I have heard that there have been problems with the new meters, and that there have been overcharging difficulties.

And they are on an 0845 number, so I have called once but will not call again.

Many thanks for any advice

churchrat

espresso

churchrat wrote: »

Anyway, to get to the point---do I HAVE to have a new meter fitted?? quite apart from the not lighting issue I have heard that there have been problems with the new meters, and that there have been overcharging difficulties.

And they are on an 0845 number, so I have called once but will not call again.

Yes you have to allow them to fit a new meter when they reach the end of the service life, to ensure that you are being billed correctly for the gas that you use.

You should be able to relight your own boiler, it's not the workman's job!

How much do you think that 0845 numbers cost to ring? They are inclusive for most customers!

Cardew

There are lots of new regulations about siting new boilers, whilst some are mandatory for existing installations, others are not.

That said, I have a boiler in a purpose built external boiler house. It had one air vent and that was considered OK for 15 years and then under the new regulations it was apparently mandatory for a second air vent. As it was BG carried out the work for free(I had their servicing cover) and it was a very simple job to cut an additional hole for the vent.

However I have been advised that when the boiler is replaced there will have to be some extensive(and expensive!) alterations to the installation.

I believe you have to get a new meter fitted when the supply company wish, and they can cut you off if you resist.

The only issue about overcharging is that your new meter will be a Metric meter and your old meter is proably an Imperial meter. A gas unit in your old meter is approx 31kWh and the new meter approx 11.2kWh.

There have been cases where the Utility company were not aware of the new meter and charged at the old rate. However that very rarely happens and as long as tell the supply company there won't be a problem.

churchrat

espresso wrote: »

You should be able to relight your own boiler, it's not the workman's job!

yes it is--if they turn it off.

How much do you think that 0845 numbers cost to ring? They are inclusive for most customers!

I didn't ask them to come and do itand they have told me I have a 3hr window when I have to wait in for them--its not something I have chosen to do. I also pay inclusive rate for all phone calls, excluding 0845 and a few other numbers.

By the way--this is a money saving site--that means that you come on here to find ways to save money. That will include not paying for phone calls that are for the benefit of a company and not for your own benfit.

Caedew--thankyou for your help. Can I ask a question?? If my boiler is checked each yr by a corgi reg fitter can I assume that ir meets all the needful regs?
many thanks

Cardew

churchrat wrote: »

Caedew--thankyou for your help. Can I ask a question?? If my boiler is checked each yr by a corgi reg fitter can I assume that ir meets all the needful regs?
many thanks

Yes, if he is doing his job correctly it will meet all the regulations. It it were not he should have got it disconnected.

There are probably millions of boilers that don't meet current installation standards, but are 'legal' and perfectly safe.

P.S.
Corgi is no more, they have thought up a new organisation - Gas Safe Registered

Premier_2

churchrat wrote: »

I didn't ask them to come and do itand they have told me I have a 3hr window when I have to wait in for them--its not something I have chosen to do. I also pay inclusive rate for all phone calls, excluding 0845 and a few other numbers.

By the way--this is a money saving site--that means that you come on here to find ways to save money. That will include not paying for phone calls that are for the benefit of a company and not for your own benfit....

Who do you buy your telephone line from and which package are you on?

Yes you are right this is a moneysaving site. Perhaps you need to take a look at the home phone subforum, the MSE article on home phones, and this very informative post that is kindly kept updated by MSE forum member, Heinz, to ensure you are getting the best deal

espresso

churchrat wrote: »

By the way--this is a money saving site--that means that you come on here to find ways to save money. That will include not paying for phone calls that are for the benefit of a company and not for your own benfit.

Exactly, so you should be a bit more savy regarding the cost of ringing 0845 numbers - a free to most phone users!

:rolleyes:

lemontart

you may not have asked them to change the meter but they own it or in many cases lease it and as such have a right to update when they feel it is appropriate to do so. Beit accuracy, safety or other.

A meter is a piece of equipment like any other over times becomes less efficient just like a car, or a human body for that matter.

So whilst you may refuse access at some time or another it will have to be changed.

parcival

Our house (and meter) is only 9 years old. A year ago they wrote saying that someone was coming to change the meter - no one turned up on the day they had advised. Never heard anymore about it. A few weeks ago we had a letter to say that someone was coming to do the same - we were away on holiday but no card was left or anything.

It is not safe to assume that these utility type organisations know what they are doing.

leggsus

Hi, I have also received a letter, I spoke to British Gas today and they said that if I don't have my meter changed I will not be able to topup my smart card now as they have all been cancelled so the machines at the outlets will not accept them. Is this true? I asked them to confirm the tariff I will be on and it's over double what I am on now. They said as my meter is old it is set to an old tariff, so I will revert to the now equivalent tariff. Can they do this? They also said the new meters are digital therefore any future tariff changes will just be sent through a signal straight to the meter.

Premier_2

leggsus wrote: »

Hi, I have also received a letter, I spoke to British Gas today and they said that if I don't have my meter changed I will not be able to topup my smart card now as they have all been cancelled so the machines at the outlets will not accept them. Is this true? I asked them to confirm the tariff I will be on and it's over double what I am on now. They said as my meter is old it is set to an old tariff, so I will revert to the now equivalent tariff. Can they do this? They also said the new meters are digital therefore any future tariff changes will just be sent through a signal straight to the meter.

You are not on an old tariff, you will be on a current tariff but you are just being charged on the old tariff.
Some people find they are in debt because a supplier has not updated their prepayment meter with the latest tariff details.
Fortunately for you, British Gas do not seek to recover PPM debts so caused - they only charge the new prices when the meter is recalibrated.

Most meters are now recalibrated whenever someone tops them up. The old type you have that need physical recalibration are gradually being replaced.

As the OP has been informed, there is nothing you can do to stop the supplier replacing the meter if that is what they need to do.