Smart meter connection/power

WobagUK

Im looking into getting just our gas meter replaced by a smart meter.

I was concerned that it would be difficult to install as its not in the quite same place as the electricity meter, and assumed that it would have to be 'wired in'.  However guides Ive seen show that the gas SM would be battery powered, but that seems to be because it only needs to send short range signals... to the electricity SM, which I wouldnt have.

Do you have to have both replaced, are there two kinds of meter, or have I missed something? 

powerful_Rogue

Any reason why you don't want both replaced at the same time?

Peter999_2

Yes, you have to have them both replaced as the Gas meter has to talk to the electric meter to work.      My parents have an issue that the gas meter is quite a way from the electric meter so it drops off quite often.

WobagUK

powerful_Rogue said:

Any reason why you don't want both replaced at the same time?

We've got an old complicated two meter set up, potentially old wiring, and boxed in in a garage conversion that just looks like its going to be fiddly to do, so we are also dreading the 'oh weve never seen this before / weve encountered a bit of a hitch / Im not sure weve got the right connectors / You are going to need to have some work done to put this right' sort of conversation.

t0rt0ise

WobagUK said:

powerful_Rogue said:

Any reason why you don't want both replaced at the same time?

We've got an old complicated two meter set up, potentially old wiring, and boxed in in a garage conversion that just looks like its going to be fiddly to do, so we are also dreading the 'oh weve never seen this before / weve encountered a bit of a hitch / Im not sure weve got the right connectors / You are going to need to have some work done to put this right' sort of conversation.

Post a picture. There's people here who will know if you'll have problems.

Keep_pedalling

Presuming you are heating with gas, why do you have a two meter system?

WobagUK

Keep_pedalling said:

Presuming you are heating with gas, why do you have a two meter system?

The gas feeds a gas fire in the living room only, more of a feature than a holistic heating method.  On the electric side, we have two meters that do the job of a two rate meter with one driving storage heaters and the regular one for general use.

Kid_Icarus

WobagUK said:

powerful_Rogue said:

Any reason why you don't want both replaced at the same time?

We've got an old complicated two meter set up, potentially old wiring, and boxed in in a garage conversion that just looks like its going to be fiddly to do, so we are also dreading the 'oh weve never seen this before / weve encountered a bit of a hitch / Im not sure weve got the right connectors / You are going to need to have some work done to put this right' sort of conversation.

Are any of the electricity meters Radio Teleswitch Meters?

If so - are you aware of the radio teleswitch shutdown in June 2025?  The RTS system is being shutdown as it is obsolete, therefore the meters need to be replaced to avoid losing heating/hot water.  Your supplier will replace the meters with a smart meter.  The problem is there are currently delays installing smart meters, shortages of the meters themselves due to supply chain issues and of course as we get closer to the RTS shutdown date there will likely be a rush of households wanting to get the meters replaced before the deadline.  So if you Do have a teleswitch meter - you would be wise to get it replaced now.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/replacing-your-radio-teleswitch-electricity-meter

WobagUK

Kid_Icarus said:

Are any of the electricity meters Radio Teleswitch Meters?

Ha, no, when I say 'old' I mean 'old'.  Fully mechanical, Im guessing 1950s?  RTS meters look positively futuristic.

Netexporter

Well they have to be changed because they are almost certainly beyond their certified life.

wrf12345

"Well they have to be changed because they are almost certainly beyond their certified life."

An exiting adventure as both can be plus or minus three percent accuracy and you never know until fitted which way the news ones will go...