smart meter changeover charge

lucadobe20

Is anyone aware that the new gas smart meters that we are all to be supplied with by 2020 is going to be paid for by the customer if you have lead piping which apparently 1000's have running from the outlet pipe? I have just been told the customer will have to fork out this work to be done because ' we ' are responsible for any pipework which is in our side of the home irrespective that 'we' don't actually own the gas meters in the first place..this could run into a hefty some for 1000's of people because a lot of properties still have lead pipes even if only small amounts according to the metering dept at British GAS...has anybody had similiar info?

penrhyn

You could probably recoup the money by selling the lead.:D
You think Smart metering will happen then?

Lube

Nothing in life is free, someone some where has to pay.

lucadobe20

why should householders have to pay for old pipework to be replaced because they want to install new meters? This updated work should have been monitored long ago ...this is all to do with National grid and what pipes belong to what company etc....i dont relish having to fork out hundreds of pounds just because the government want us all to eventually have smart meters:mad:

lucadobe20

penrhyn wrote: »

You could probably recoup the money by selling the lead.:D
You think Smart metering will happen then?

according to British Gas yes but they have said the government wil have to step in with the costs if they want it to work because according to them they are aware of 1000's people that will have to pay for this pipework:o

moonrakerz

Quite right, make the Gas Company pay ! hang on though, where do they get their money from ? :rolleyes::rolleyes:

lucadobe20

moonrakerz wrote: »

Quite right, make the Gas Company pay ! hang on though, where do they get their money from ? :rolleyes::rolleyes:

thats what i said but apparently don't belong to the gas company confusing i know!

CLAPTON

there is no lead piping in the gas supply
old iron pipes maybe but no lead

lucadobe20

CLAPTON wrote: »

there is no lead piping in the gas supply
old iron pipes maybe but no lead

sorry but there is lead piping have had it confirmed

Premier_2

What does it matter what type of pipework is on the house side of the meter?

If the installation is safe today, why can't it be used with a new meter?

Possetjohn

Many years ago, in the first house we owned there were lead pipes connecting the supply to the meter and a lead pipe connecting the gas out of the meter which was in the house! After installing a new C/H system and back boiler (those were the days!) The gas company came to check the installation and connect the new boiler. The fitters changed the lead pipes for flexible steel ones. The fitter stated they had to do this because of the risk in a fire, where the lead pipes could melt and allow a mains gas supply to feed the fire!!!!

Guess there might still be some old installations around with lead pipes, though hopefully not on the meter supply side and this is the reason?