EDF Charge to Remove Gas Supply after Installing an ASHP

TaraJaneN

Hi, Over the past couple of years we've been saving to install solar panels, a battery and air source heat pump which we've undertaken  in stages this year. Finally the ASHP is being installed next week and the gas boiler removed. We only use gas for heating our water so I contacted EDF asking them to cease supplying us so we don't pay the standing charge. Their response was that this will cost us £80 and if we don't pay it and never use gas again we're still liable for the standing charge. Has anyone else encountered this cost with a similar request to another supplier or EDF? We're astounded that in the current climate they will happily upgrade our old gas meter to a SMART meter for free but won't allow us to stop using gas without this additional charge. Thanks

Robin9

From other postings £80 sounds cheap - others have quoted more like £800. 

Depends how much work is involved. - £80 suggests they don't need to dig the footpath up.

TheMilkmansDad

Maybe £80 is to cap the meter? To avoid the standing charge the meter needs to be removed in it's entirety, that would likely cost more like £800.

QrizB

£80 might just be for removing the meter. There will be a separate bill from the distribution people (possibly Cadent) for removing the pipework.

OP there was a time when Octopus were removing gas meters for free. I don't know if they still have this offer but you could check?

macman

Extremely cheap, tear their hand off!
Of course you still pay an s/c if not gas is used, the clue is in the name.
The s/c is for maintaining the supply, meter reading and safety inspections, and billing. All these fixed costs remain whether you use the supply or not.

Reed_Richards

Some suppliers say they will arrange to remove your gas meter free of charge (e.g. https://sse.co.uk/help/bills-and-paying/removing-your-standing-charge ).  But there is a cost to the supplier, it's just that they don't necessarily pass this on to the consumer.

Astria

£80 sounds too cheap considering my neighbor was quoted £300 ! They would cap off the supply for cheaper (if you are doing building works etc) but you are then still liable for the standing charge.

pochase

I assume the £80 is what they are charging for organising to have the meter removed.

The cost for the removing the meter itself I have found were more like £700, billed by the DNO.

In addition to that the DNO can potentially ask for the pipes to be removed, with costs of £1500 upwards.

That are of course only sample prices, but I would check beforehand if it is really only £80.

Here is the Ovo pricelist

https://www.ovoenergy.com/energy-charge-list

£106, but note the 

Additional DNO/Gas Network charges may also apply on an individual basis

pochase

QrizB said:

£80 might just be for removing the meter. There will be a separate bill from the distribution people (possibly Cadent) for removing the pipework.

OP there was a time when Octopus were removing gas meters for free. I don't know if they still have this offer but you could check?

Octopus is still doing it for free

https://octopus.energy/blog/disconnecting-your-gas-supply/

But I assume that doe snot mean they cover costs applied by the DNO.

bristolleedsfan

British Gas also remove gas meter no charge.

https://twitter.com/AnneMcGarryMars/status/1507304179638886402

bristolleedsfan

pochase said:

QrizB said:

£80 might just be for removing the meter. There will be a separate bill from the distribution people (possibly Cadent) for removing the pipework.

OP there was a time when Octopus were removing gas meters for free. I don't know if they still have this offer but you could check?

But I assume that doe snot mean they cover costs applied by the DNO.

Say nothing and DNO chooses to remove gas supply at a later date - no charge due to it being of its choosing as opposed to being asked to do the work.