Gas supplier switch meter question

AndyCF

It seems quite obvious but the answer eludes me.

Currently I have a mechanical gas meter, its the 'odometer' type, similar to older cars mileage reading, so simple to read rather than the very ancient 'dials' type we had a few years ago.

The question is simple: If I switch gas suppliers, will the 'new' supplier insist on a new meter too as its not electronic ? I use 'insist' here rather than 'suggest'

I realise I'll be nagged for a 'Smart Gas' one at this point but I'd rather keep the existing one for the immediate moment. Genuine reasons due to the "interesting shut-off" method of smart gas ones due to them being dual function.

A further note is I pay Gas via 'receipt of bill' rather than pre-pay or anything else like DD.

Raxiel

Unless it happens to be approaching its certification expiry, no.

You'll no doubt get 'encouragement' to have it replaced with a smart meter as you know, but simply replacing an existing meter with a digital non-smart meter doesn't do anything for a suppliers 'smart quota' and is just an unrecoverable cost so there's no benefit to them swapping it earlier than they have to.

AndyCF

Raxiel wrote: »

Unless it happens to be approaching its certification expiry, no.

I think it is about fifteen years old, possibly a bit less as we had the gas meter moved outside in a box from inside when the mains gas pipes were replaced (BG's "street" part of the pipe at their cost, I think there was a small leakage under the pavement or something) , before that it was a 'dial' type one. From memory that one was very old indeed and probably well approaching its "end of life" status anyway.

Raxiel wrote: »

You'll no doubt get 'encouragement' to have it replaced with a smart meter as you know, but simply replacing an existing meter with a digital non-smart meter doesn't do anything for a suppliers 'smart quota' and is just an unrecoverable cost so there's no benefit to them swapping it earlier than they have to.

Oh yes I'd expect a bit of nagging about a 'all shining all dancing smart' at supplier change, just wondered if they would be able to say something along the lines of they "insist" on it being changed. I see what you're saying as if they did fit an LCD one (which I have no objection to provided it does not contain a shutoff solenoid valve) , they would be on a hiding to nowhere in that they would have to be out to change it eventually to a smart one at some future point.

Question answered, thank you!

Flt._Lt._Biggles

AndyCF wrote: »

It seems quite obvious but the answer eludes me.

Currently I have a mechanical gas meter, its the 'odometer' type, similar to older cars mileage reading, so simple to read rather than the very ancient 'dials' type we had a few years ago.

The question is simple: If I switch gas suppliers, will the 'new' supplier insist on a new meter too as its not electronic ? I use 'insist' here rather than 'suggest'

I realise I'll be nagged for a 'Smart Gas' one at this point but I'd rather keep the existing one for the immediate moment. Genuine reasons due to the "interesting shut-off" method of smart gas ones due to them being dual function.

A further note is I pay Gas via 'receipt of bill' rather than pre-pay or anything else like DD.

Such a gas meter is arguably the most popular of all gas credit (non-smart) meters installed in domestic premesis today



No need to ever worry about not being able to read the screen due to a flat battery with these

A change of supplier does not usually result in a request to change the metering. Even if your meter is due for replacement, a change of supplier usually delays that
If a gas meter change really is required, you'll probably get one just like the above as a replacement (unless you request something different)

AndyCF

That is almost identical to what I have, Actaris too I think, apart from the curious electric 'addon' that is shown. No wiring in mine, nowhere for it to go anyway!