Gas upgrade

HaydenB

Our local gas distributor is currently replacing the main gas main which runs down the main road and also the pipes which supply into each house. This has meant them digging up the garden to run in a new pipe, etc.

They have moved the meter from our cellar and stuck an external box at ground level and located the meter in there. Unfortunately the meter, which was previously fixed on the cellar wall, doesnt fit in the meter box correctly and the lid does not close. The men carrying out the works told us to contact our supplier and they would replace the meter FOC.

I have spoken to our supply (So Energy) and they are wanting to charge us £100.

Are we obliged to pay this? Should it be replaced FOC? Whilst we appear the works needed doing, we didnt ask for any of the changes.

[Deleted User]

Try going back to National Grid .It will be one of their contractors rushing the job.They need to come back and do it correctly.There is absolutely no need to change any meters.All meter boxes are made to take a standard metric or imperial meter.Sometimes I see that the fitters have bodged a bit of pipe work to the meter which prevents the door from shutting.
The smart meters are quite a bit smaller than a standard meter and that may fit OK , E6 Siemens or Landys and Gyr meters are used.
What about switching to Sainsburys Energy (British Gas ) currently the cheapest dual fuel. They will fit the smart meter pretty quickly if you apply for one.

HaydenB

Thanks for the reply. I have been looking at moving supplier in the hope that they would provide a new meter, especially if I requested a Smart meter. I looked at Sainsbury's Energy and their tariff was more than what I am currently paying.

[Deleted User]

HaydenB wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I have been looking at moving supplier in the hope that they would provide a new meter, especially if I requested a Smart meter. I looked at Sainsbury's Energy and their tariff was more than what I am currently paying.

It must be a new tariff not long out.Their electric in my area (South Yorks ) is only 7.89 p/kwhr, gas is 2.2p/kwr, standing charges are 26 p a day. Check on UKpower.co.uk but do a switch via MSE for the cashbacks..British Gas in my opinion are the most reliable supplier of the lot. EDF and Eon are also reliable.
BG have been installing smart meters for over 8 years .They may have to go round and replace them all to qualify for SMETS2 smart switching rules.Its only a 20 minute job in my house to replace the electric meter with a SMET2 module so I wont mind if that work has to be carried out one day .I usually switch between Sainsburys and British Gas taking advantage of cashbacks and an exit free smart switch which is a doddle, whenever a better tariff comes along

dogshome

Don't accept " Get onto your supplier " excuses from the local grid operator who did the work for problems with the fit of meter box - It is initially their responsibility

Once you accept that box as fitted is correct, it becomes your responsibilty to repair and maintain, and no matter which supplier you Switch to, they will charge to change it