Bulb smart gas meter

Drewkshaw

I've been told by Bulb that they cant install a smart meter for my gas because my existing one is semi submerged type (i.e. below ground in a brown meter box). Pretty surprised at this because as far as I'm aware, this type of installation is really common. Anyone else encountered similar or know how true Bulbs assertion is ?

Highland76

They're telling you porkies. A few weeks ago I had a new smets2 gas meter installed through E.ON - the meter is in a brown box, just below ground level. I'll take some pics in the morning, too cold & wet now lol

brewerdave

Highland76 wrote: »

They're telling you porkies. A few weeks ago I had a new smets2 gas meter installed through E.ON - the meter is in a brown box, just below ground level. I'll take some pics in the morning, too cold & wet now lol

But does it work?? ie does it send readings to the supplier via your leccy meter? I've heard that story re comms issues with external gas meters from several other sources:(

Highland76

brewerdave wrote: »

But does it work?? ie does it send readings to the supplier via your leccy meter? I've heard that story re comms issues with external gas meters from several other sources:(

Yes, the gas meter is sending readings to the comms hub which in turn is sending readings to E.ON, so all's well with my meters. There were some teething issues at first as the gas wasn't communicating at all with anything, however it seems it was an issue at E.ON or DCC's end, as all of a sudden the gas meter came to life. Definitely no local signal issues between the gas & electric meter as they are almost next to each other. Everything's running smoothly...touchwood

brewerdave

Highland76 wrote: »

Definitely no local signal issues between the gas & electric meter as they are almost next to each other. Everything's running smoothly...touchwood

OK ….the fact that the meters are very close to each other obviously helps...one of the stories of non comms I have heard ,concerned an external gas meter in a ground box whilst the leccy meter was inside the house in a cupboard under the stairs - several walls and about 7 metre separation!!:)

mac.d

It's been pretty common but while some companies are just saying a blanket no, others will attempt to fit smart meters as long as they think they are able. The issue with Bulb I *think* is the front facing gas meters in specific semi-concealed boxes - anyone know any better?

Bulb have a page on their site showing the type of box they mean: https://help.bulb.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360026097312-Gas-meter-boxes-with-sloped-lids), and there's a topic about it on their forum:

https://community.bulb.co.uk/t/is-your-gas-meter-outside-in-a-box-on-the-ground/51477/19

Also a topic in the Ovo forum - https://forum.ovoenergy.com/smart-meter-booking-and-installations-66/why-can-t-i-get-a-smart-meter-fitted-with-a-semi-concealed-gas-meter-box-373

And its mentioned in the following Which article - "If your meter is partly concealed in a case outside, then your energy company may not be able to replace it yet. We’ve heard from members whose energy firms aren’t yet replacing these ‘semi-concealed’ meters.

Highland76

OP,

photos of my gas & electric meters (both smets2) installed recently: