Gas Meter Box

WillPS

We're having a new central heating system installed. All of the quotes we have had were done on the proviso that the gas meter, which sits outside the property, is properly covered prior to work being undertaken.

At the moment, gas meter is covered by a bit of wood which the old man who built and owned the property clearly knocked together at some point. The meter is dated 1990.

I got in touch with the supplier who agreed that a box should have been fitted at the time of installation (c.1962). Cadent today came out and refused to do anything. They came out with a variety of excuses, including "we wouldn't have left it out like that".

I challenged the bloke to help me find any trace of a box being properly fitted - and he couldn't. His only explanation was that the brickwork looks "newish" (it looks exactly the same as the rest of the house, so unless the whole lot was changed...).

I then took it up with their customer service who said that following installation it's the owner's responsibility to maintain the box. This is consistent with what I've read online - gas company installs, owner maintains; the problem is there quite clearly never has been a proper box installed.

They point blank refused to look in to the matter any further, citing multiple changes of ownership since as an excuse for having no records of properly installing with a box.

Is there any mileage in pursuing this further?

Hazzanet

I wouldn't have thought so. A new outdoor gas meter box is circa £50. Is it worth the hassle?

[Deleted User]

I don t think so. You cannot prove if the last owners have taken the outside box with them.
Buy the correct one, there are various shapes, one from an online supplier or your local Jewsons . I have seen used ones for sale on Ebay. As a meter reader I have seen plenty of home made ones over the years which look quite acceptable. I also see many meters out uncovered to the elements for years. The gas meters seem to pretty weatherproof and there are many underwater for years in semi concealed boxes slightly below ground level

WillPS

Hazzanet wrote: »

I wouldn't have thought so. A new outdoor gas meter box is circa £50. Is it worth the hassle?

Is that something I can install?

Houbara wrote: »

I don t think so. You cannot prove if the last owners have taken the outside box with them.
Buy the correct one, there are various shapes, one from an online supplier or your local Jewsons . I have seen used ones for sale on Ebay. As a meter reader I have seen plenty of home made ones over the years which look quite acceptable. I also see many meters out uncovered to the elements for years. The gas meters seem to pretty weatherproof and there are many underwater for years in semi concealed boxes slightly below ground level

I get what you're saying. As it happens we do know he didn't take it with him; he died in his bed in the house last year. He left the little wooden tower with what appears to be asbestos(!) panelling cover he built though.

The house was inherited by his son, and we look after it for him. (We pay a bit of rent now, but nothing like a market rate for it so I try to keep his costs down in turn, especially when he's shelling out for a new central heating system.)

Hazzanet

I would guess so. This is one I found via Google:

https://meterboxesnow.com/mitras-gas-meter-box-mark-1-surface-mounted-cover?language=en&currency=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI44_gkLSX3QIVibTtCh2LygC2EAQYBCABEgJxAPD_BwE

[Deleted User]

Hazzanet wrote: »

I would guess so. This is one I found via Google:

https://meterboxesnow.com/mitras-gas-meter-box-mark-1-surface-mounted-cover?language=en&currency=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI44_gkLSX3QIVibTtCh2LygC2EAQYBCABEgJxAPD_BwE

Thats a good box, personally I would prefer this one a bit cheaper and its is only £33 inc postage on ebay .Same one used is on a auction site at £20 current price . There is a way to mount them without removing the meter but requires a little cutting work. We have to take them off the wall completely sometimes and it is easily done most times
https://www.gasequipmentdirect.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=23966726&AccID=120483&PGFLngID=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwzqPcBRAnEiwAzKRgS5Y6SLvC6il6SGtfzXbCbz-1N56JO91NMdPzjnqrUq4D_EF5eaUSJRoCMrgQAvD_BwE