Safe to turn on gas?

tightasagnats

I've just bought a house has gas and electric on prepayment meters and was empty for 3years having been rented out. I can't get a gas engineer out until Monday - but I'd like to see if I can get the boiler going - not to use yet but just to see if it works in theory!

Is there anything potentially dangerous in trying to switch on a combi that's been off for years?

I know system may be low on water etc, but could there be any issues with a gas supply other than a leak?

Many thanks.

50Twuncle

tightasagnats wrote: »

I've just bought a house has gas and electric on prepayment meters and was empty for 3years having been rented out. I can't get a gas engineer out until Monday - but I'd like to see if I can get the boiler going - not to use yet but just to see if it works in theory!

Is there anything potentially dangerous in trying to switch on a combi that's been off for years?

I know system may be low on water etc, but could there be any issues with a gas supply other than a leak?

Many thanks.

I would get it checked first/serviced by a competant gas safe registered plumber/engineer !!
It should be safe but it will cost you about £75 for safetys sake

tightasagnats

Yes this isn't a money saving issue at all, I have an engineer coming Monday to check it for me but he was scheduled for today and had to rearrange. I'm in there this afternoon and desperate to see if the hot water might work !!! Gas meter man coming today also so will ask him to have a go perhaps.

SpotlandRules

If it has not been used for years, then it definitely needs a safety check first. Remember, CO is a silent killer.

Joyful

If it's not been used for 3 years make sure your supplier resets them. There will be 3 years worth of standing charges on each meter that you will not want to pay for.

House_Martin

Joyful wrote: »

If it's not been used for 3 years make sure your supplier resets them. There will be 3 years worth of standing charges on each meter that you will not want to pay for.

Good advice.also check that the gas meter does not have "call help " on the screen.. If it has , its very likely that the gas meter has been tampered with.
The electric prepayment meter should have the metal seal protecting the lower cover just above from where the cables enter the meter from below. If this is missing, examine carefully the centre screw for any signs whatever of marks on the slot.It should be pristine. The prepayment electric meter is often also tampered with and this centre screw could actually be live.
Gas safe engineers and electricians do not know about these things neither do most meter readers or landlords, so new tenant should be aware.
Thee years vacant the electric meter would show approx minus £300 on the first screen, with either a - sign or the word "debt " on screen A..True debt which could have been loaded onto the meter would be on screen "S "

tightasagnats

Thanks, yes it has a £350 debt but was cleared today and all good. Boiler working, guy was helpful. I have a carbon monoxide detector and boiler is outside in lean to which is well vented. All off now until engineer comes Monday, thanks.