Relocation of gas meter (within kitchen)

Snakey

Good news/bad news for me this evening.

Bad news, we have a massive gas leak in the block and they've turned off my gas and say it could be days before I can next shower in anything other than freezing water.

Good news, they might have to replace the main pipe that goes all the way up through all the flats. Why is that good news? Well, my gas meter (obviously) hangs off that pipe. At the moment, the meter is about halfway up the wall, which is all very well when you still have the original 1950's council floor-to-ceiling built-in cupboards, but in a couple of years' time I want a shiny new kitchen with a worktop/space where the meter now is. Right now I have more cupboards than I have saucepans. The very nice gas man says that they can probably move the meter while they're replacing the pipe. Thus saving me £££s.

If you've read this far, thank you - now here's the question:

If you could have your gas meter anywhere up the kitchen wall that you wanted it, would you go for top (out of reach and therefore not going to be getting in the way of any otherwise-usable storage space) or bottom (because... I don't know. But I'm not sure whether I'm missing something)?

It may be that I'll be put on the spot with a decision on this, and if that's the case I don't want to make a bad choice! Not that they will want to get too close to me after a day or two with no shower.

teddysmum

Ours is at floor level, in the walk-in pantry under the stairs.


It's a little inconvenient as I find bending so low to take readings can be difficult and we will not be able to have the new kitchen tiles going under the meter as there is little floor clearance, but most of the time it's out of sight.

Robin9

Just above floor level then it will end up in the cupboards under the work top. One day it will be a Smart meter and you won't need to read it.

Owain_Moneysaver

You will need access to the emergency control valve, so it needs to be an an easily reached level. And the meter goes next to the ECV.

southcoastrgi

If they are gonna replace the incoming supply you might find that the meters are relocated outside

Snakey

Hm, maybe floor-ish level is the way to go, then. If I end up with a choice.

I'd love it to be outside and he did mention that, but the building has a Grade II listing and my personal bet is that you'll be able to hear the screams of outrage all the way to Mars when they suggest it to the powers that be tomorrow morning.

Just found out I get thirty quid a day for this! I think I like our compensation culture after all. I thought no hot water was just the price you paid for free repairs and not having your flat explode in the middle of the night.

shaun_from_Africa

Snakey wrote: »

Just found out I get thirty quid a day for this! I think I like our compensation culture after all.

Well, if your gas supplier is anything like the one I recently changed from (SSE), a few payouts of £30 a day won't make much of a dent in their last year's pre-tax profits of £1.5 billion

Snakey

Compo coming from National Grid, apparently, although I've no idea who ultimately bears the cost.

It's looking like there will be a new external pipe which means the meter will be more or less in the cupboard under the sink, which is even better.

My shower this morning was very refreshing so I hope they get a move on with installing it!!!