Gas meter unreadable

snowlady07

I've just bought a house and the gas meter is in a very peculiar place, attached to the right hand side, inside a kitchen cupboard. What's more, there is large pipe positioned directly in front of where you read the meter and due to the angle it is impossible to read. What are my chances of getting my utility company to move this meter for free? Ideally, I would like it moved outside to the external wall, a distance of less than a metre.

System

Free- not a chance unless you are a priority customer.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/your-energy-meter/move-your-gas-or-electricity-meter/

Why not ask you supplier to fit a smart meter and the problem goes away unless you decide to switch to another supplier after it is fitted.

Farway

Is this a new build or older house

If new complain to the builder

snowlady07

No it's an older house which was a probate sale. No idea how they ever managed to send meter readings!

I need the meter moved as renovating the kitchen and the old units are going. Oh well.

House_Martin

snowlady07 wrote: »

I've just bought a house and the gas meter is in a very peculiar place, attached to the right hand side, inside a kitchen cupboard. What's more, there is large pipe positioned directly in front of where you read the meter and due to the angle it is impossible to read. What are my chances of getting my utility company to move this meter for free? Ideally, I would like it moved outside to the external wall, a distance of less than a metre.

I think nil chance, as a meter reader for twenty years that is not uncommon to find meters like that.
I use a small round mirror and can get into read every meter without fail..try harder..others will have read it OK, read the numbers back to front remembering the golden rule if its a digital meter .
If you see a 2 its a 5 and if you see a 5 its a 2

[Deleted User]

Try using the camera on your phone and take a picture or a video if you cannot reach the buttons when the phone is in place. Works for me.

Hedgehog99

The serial number on my boiler is on the bottom, upside down. I used two mirrors to read it because it was a long string of characters, and the second mirror reversed it back to readable text.

TheEnergyThread

Even if you’re a priority an energy company can only move the meter 6 inches in any direction as long as 6 inches does not exceed the meter board. Even if you are wanted it external the piping would need to be repositioned first before the energy company can even move the meter. Depending on who your gas distributor is who may be National Grid or IGT.

C_Mababejive

No it wont get moved for free. Is the pipe thats in the way an internal installation pipe? If so you can get your own GSR Engineer to alter/re route it. can you post pic?

MeterMan

TheEnergyThread wrote: »

Even if you’re a priority an energy company can only move the meter 6 inches in any direction as long as 6 inches does not exceed the meter board. Even if you are wanted it external the piping would need to be repositioned first before the energy company can even move the meter. Depending on who your gas distributor is who may be National Grid or IGT.

Well, there is no meterboard for a gas meter, the 6 inches rule isn't true.

The energy supplier will move it 1 to 2 meters away from its current position providing its accessible to carry out any required pipework alterations.