No Gas Meter

Sea_Shell

Why is that panel even there?  What other purpose could it serve?  

Mobtr

Sea_Shell said:

Why is that panel even there?  What other purpose could it serve?  

It looks like it’s where the gas meter box was supposed to go but didn’t get installed so they’ve just put a panel over it. Can’t see they would have installed the gas meter there then covered it over so the owner couldn’t get access. 

They need to get a gas engineer out to trace the pipe work back to where the meter actually is. Find it amazing that after all this time they have just realised they don’t know where it is. As it’s a new build, surely they have paperwork with all the info & readings taken at handover 

Exile28

I'm surprised this wasn't picked up earlier and I'm not sure if after 8 years this will be something that the property developer will help with (although they should if they have any sort of ethics or responsibility).

While billing is a big issue not being able to find the cut off value is a safety risk for both residents and neighbours.

In my opinion the energy company should not be relied apon to locate this, however every reasonable effort should be made to contact them and ask for help with this. As it sounds like the OP has done this a formal complaint should be made and referred to the ombudsman if needed. In the meantime I would try contacting the local gas network operator and stress the potential safety concerns with not being aware of cut off valve or meter. If the op is not sure who their gas network operator is they can look up their postcode at https://www.energynetworks.org/operating-the-networks/whos-my-network-operator

I would like to see a photo of inside the electricity box to confirm it is indeed an electricity box as the pipe does look like a gas pipe but as others have said and demonstrated this does not mean much.

If this was my property I would be wary of removing that panel but without any other help or information it may need to be done.

bagand96

I mentioned pages ago about the gas isolation valve. Putting aside the debate about what's behind the mystery panel... I'd be calling my gas supplier telling them I'm worried about my gas supply that has no isolation valve? Might get a quicker response. 

I'm no expert on building regs but I'd assume a means of isolating the gas supply would be feature surely?

imeach

@JulesSheah
Any news on your meter??

JulesSheah

 

This is inside of my electricity meter.  Have also had it confirmed by Barretts the builder of my house that the gas meter is supposed to be outside my utility room door which is exactly where I have the flat panel.

Lorian

There has to be a meter there somewhere for the property to have a supply. I'd go with it being behind that home-made cover, but that would be an issue of course. Are we sure it doesn't slide off upwards or something?

Robin9

Thank you very much for confirming this. I am quite happy to be proved wrong.

As others have said you do have a need to be able to operate the gas isolation valve in case of emergency - so do keep looking.

PS the elec meter reads 47963   which means over 8 years 6,000 KWh a year you are a very high user - 

JulesSheah

Nope is an immovable object.  Eon told me to contact the national grid which I have done and whilst they have my meter point reference they cannot see a meter.  They also are saying it is Eon's responsibility to sort it out.  Currently on hold with Eon after having spent almost 3 months arguing with them on Whatsapp.

Sea_Shell

How much poking around that blanking plate have you done OP?

It may not be fitted as securely as you think.   

Magnetic catches?
Push/pop closure? (don't know the technical name - like a plinth clip)
Slide up/across?

Or can you see or feel any screws that have been rendered over?

Are you able to slide a flat object all the way round?  Pallet knife, scraper etc.