How to get gas supply uncapped? Moving into house with capped gas pipe

PirateSwan

Hi experts I'm wondering if you can help me 
I'm moving into a house with a capped gas supply soon. I intend to have a new boiler put in but need help with who to contact in terms of switching the gas back on. The house needs a new meter as far as I know. Will the plumber who fits the boiler be able to turn the gas supply back on? Or do I have to engage a separate gas engineer?  Sorry for all the questions. I've tried to Google it but the answers are really confusing

Section62

You'll need to find out who your gas distribution operator is and ask them to quote for a reconnection.

https://www.energynetworks.org/operating-the-networks/whos-my-network-operator

It could be expensive, depending on the circumstances of the capping.  You'd be best off finding out and deciding whether to make the reconnection before committing to the new boiler.  The plumber can't do it for you, that would be illegal.

In some cases (e.g. flats) there could be a private network instead of the distribution operator - but if that is the case the distribution operator will tell you.

bris

You can try your energy supplier, they can send the gas carrier to install a meter, it shouldn't cost you anything as you are essentially renting the meter anyway through standing charges.

Similat to faulty meters, you never own them so they are replaced free of charge.

On-the-coast

If I was starting out from scratch with my heating (no sunk costs) I’d look hard at heatpumps (and grants) if I had the space.  Gas is falling out of favour, and may be legislated against (like with new builds)

Robin9

PirateSwan said:

Hi experts I'm wondering if you can help me 
I'm moving into a house with a capped gas supply soon. I intend to have a new boiler put in but need help with who to contact in terms of switching the gas back on. The house needs a new meter as far as I know. Will the plumber who fits the boiler be able to turn the gas supply back on? Or do I have to engage a separate gas engineer?  Sorry for all the questions. I've tried to Google it but the answers are really confusing

Your plumber will need a live supply to be able to commission the boiler so the meter needs to come first.

PirateSwan

Thanks all for your input- really appreciate it.

TELLIT01

On-the-coast said:

If I was starting out from scratch with my heating (no sunk costs) I’d look hard at heatpumps (and grants) if I had the space.  Gas is falling out of favour, and may be legislated against (like with new builds)

Government is currently not planning to ban installation of gas boilers in existing buildings before 2035 so I wouldn't allow concern over that to affect my decision.  Heatpumps etc will hopefully be cheaper and more efficient in another 10+ years.

Section62

TELLIT01 said:

On-the-coast said:

If I was starting out from scratch with my heating (no sunk costs) I’d look hard at heatpumps (and grants) if I had the space.  Gas is falling out of favour, and may be legislated against (like with new builds)

Government is currently not planning to ban installation of gas boilers in existing buildings before 2035 so I wouldn't allow concern over that to affect my decision.  Heatpumps etc will hopefully be cheaper and more efficient in another 10+ years.

It does depend on what it will cost to get the gas supply reconnected.  If all that's needed is removing the cap and fitting a meter the cost will be a lot lower than if a new supply pipe has to be installed back to the main. With no info on the condition of the supply pipe, the length, nor the reason why it was capped, it is difficult to know what the cost might be, and how that compares to the alternatives.

Owain_Moneysaver

Any gas supplier who can fit a meter will check with the gas network operator whether the gas supply is 'live or dead'. There may be an online check, or they'll send someone out - usually free. If it is, they'll come and fit a meter (usually free).
If it isn't, the gas network operator will come and make the supply live - this is usually only turning on a valve, but there may be a charge for reconnecting,  and then the gas supplier will come and fit a meter.