Gas meter replacement

Lacey31

We received a letter from Meterplus (npower) on 12th August saying they were calling today (15th) to replace our gas meter. A little short notice for getting time off work but we managed!
When the engineer arrived he stated he was unable to replace the meter as the existing pipes were too close together to fit the new meter. He said we needed to contact our gas engineer and ask them to change the pipework to accommodate the new meter. I thought he was a gas engineer! He said that we would also need to get our boiler serviced too. In his words "shouldn't cost too much".
Since they are the ones needing to change the meter, should they be adjusting the pipes too? Are we liable for the expense of this?
Has anyone else had a similar problem?
Thanks for any advice.

[Deleted User]

I dont like the sound of all of that, replacing pipes! and checking central heating ! thats not normal behaviour from a mere non gas safe bog standard meter fitter. Mine came yesterday whilst I was off work and only did the usual, turned up without a vital nut to join lead/copper and left saying we will make another appointment. Are you sure he was actually from Meterplus, like mine was. Sounds like he was touting for extra work at same time as meter fitting. Absolutely nothing to do with these people about the workings of your appliances. Its the meter only which is their concern

macman

The supply pipework downstream of the meter is your responsibility, not the meter asset holders.
Doubtless what was acceptable at the time of the original install, probably decades ago, is no longer so.
Not quite clear how he deduced from a meter inspection that that your boiler needs servicing though?

lstar337

Can't see why you would have to pay for pipes to be moved so they can fit a new meter. They are probably just pushing their luck to see if you will front the cost. I would tell them to put in a meter that fits or leave the current one where it is. As long as the current one is safe.

Also, your boiler is none of their business and you should tell them as much!

naedanger

Lacey31 wrote: »

We received a letter from Meterplus (npower) on 12th August saying they were calling today (15th) to replace our gas meter. A little short notice for getting time off work but we managed!
When the engineer arrived he stated he was unable to replace the meter as the existing pipes were too close together to fit the new meter. He said we needed to contact our gas engineer and ask them to change the pipework to accommodate the new meter. I thought he was a gas engineer! He said that we would also need to get our boiler serviced too. In his words "shouldn't cost too much".
Since they are the ones needing to change the meter, should they be adjusting the pipes too? Are we liable for the expense of this?
Has anyone else had a similar problem?
Thanks for any advice.

I would not agree to arrange this work without complaint. It is not that a meter will not fit as there is clearly one in place now. Therefore your supplier should source one that fits.

I would also be complaining if I had arranged to be in and they did not do what they said they would as you will now no doubt be further inconvenienced when they need to return.

I would send npower a compliant and ask for a written response. They are more likely to tell you the true position in writing as you will then have evidence of what they have said.

The email address of npower's complaint team is the following:
complaintsteam@npower.com

[Deleted User]

The G4 Metric is virtually the same size as the Imperial meter its replacing and there is even a much smaller e6 metric and e6 smart meter which are half the size of the Imperial meter. After the touting for business pitch by a mere meter fitter ( 2 weeks training ) I think I would be phoning Meterplus up to find out what their game is

wr1ght

sacsquacco wrote: »

I dont like the sound of all of that, replacing pipes! and checking central heating ! thats not normal behaviour from a mere non gas safe bog standard meter fitter. Mine came yesterday whilst I was off work and only did the usual, turned up without a vital nut to join lead/copper and left saying we will make another appointment. Are you sure he was actually from Meterplus, like mine was. Sounds like he was touting for extra work at same time as meter fitting. Absolutely nothing to do with these people about the workings of your appliances. Its the meter only which is their concern

gas meter fitters have to be gas safe. if pipework needs altering to make the new meter fit then the meter fitter should be doing this as part of install. as far as appliances go the fitter will need to purge and relight all gas appliances and visually inspect the flue, flame picture and for signs of spillage etc. sounds like he didnt want to do the job too much work involved maybe he didnt like the look of your appliances

wr1ght

2 weeks training to fit gas meters are you joking?
5 weeks college and 6 months building a portfolio minimum

[Deleted User]

wr1ght wrote: »

2 weeks training to fit gas meters are you joking?
5 weeks college and 6 months building a portfolio minimum

Maybe your company train them better. I applied with G4S for meter fitting, it was 2 weeks up in Newcastle training then a few weeks tagging along with someone. Purging the system is a doddle we have to do it all the time on decomms/ recomms on gas meters
My Meterplus lad was useless, fancy turning up without a vital nut which he would always need on meter exchanges in my area. It was a 20 minute job. . I have been hearing stories for the last 10 years from customers badly treated by them either not turning up, turning up and not liking the look of the job and walking out, or like me, turns up without a joining nut..pathetic! and I will be on the phone to Meterplus after my £25 compensation for wasting my time

wr1ght

you still have to be gas safe tho to change gas meters that you can not do in 2 weeks.
yer a lot of fitters make excuses not to do jobs if theres a bit more work involved or its a bad position etc

[Deleted User]

wr1ght wrote: »

you still have to be gas safe tho to change gas meters that you can not do in 2 weeks.
yer a lot of fitters make excuses not to do jobs if theres a bit more work involved or its a bad position etc

Another "get out " which really annoys and confuses is the " the gas meter is too close to the electric meter so I m not allowed to continue" leaving a customer seething. The most common "get out " is a hard to get at meter under the sink. The ones in modern kitchen corners tucked away will be the ones causing the most problems, they wont take their units apart to give proper access to the meters.