Looking for gas meter no standing charge

petefromkent

Hi. I’m new and this is my first post .
i had my gas cut off a year ago and SGN have just come round and said my meter is gone but the gas feed is still coming into the house .

they have told me I have a month to get a meter installed or they will cut my gas off in the road outside - and to reconnect it will be over £1000 .
it was cut off in the first place due to struggling to pay the gas bill. I’ve just gone the whole cold winter with no heating at all - and now it’s summer they want me to reconnect it ! 

Thé engineer told me there are some companies that can install a meter but not charge a standing charge fee. I would like this as my current plan would be to install the meter but NOT use any gas …. Maybe for a year or more while I save money to get the boiler working etc

Does anyone know who does this? Ideally I would like direct debit as I hate those pre-pay meters.

ive been told thé charges for when you DO eventually use gas will be higher ( but I don’t know how much higher )  - would  I be able at some point ( let’s say in a years time as an example ) to change my tariff to one with a standing charge but lower unit charges ? would I also be able to change gas supplier ? I’m assuming the fee to install a meter will mean I should be able to change suppliers ? 
thank you 

Netexporter

Are you in receipt of any benfits? If so, it sounds as if you'd qualify for an ECO4 grant to fir a heat pump and possiblry solar panels, so you wouldn't then need a gas supply.

bazdvd

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/electricity-standing-charge/

bazdvd

Netexporter said:

Are you in receipt of any benfits? If so, it sounds as if you'd qualify for an ECO4 grant to fir a heat pump and possiblry solar panels, so you wouldn't then need a gas supply.

In order to qualify for free government funded home energy efficiency improvements, you must meet both of these criteria:

You are the property homeowner

Someone in your household claims one of the following qualifying benefits:

• Child Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credit

• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Related Employment & Support Allowance
• Pension Credit Savings Credit
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

QrizB

petefromkent said:

Hi. I’m new and this is my first post .

Welcome to the forum.

petefromkent said:

they have told me I have a month to get a meter installed or they will cut my gas off in the road outside - and to reconnect it will be over £1000 .

Yes, that's quite normal. Most people who have their meter removed so it through choice, because they've replaced their gas appliances with something else (like a heat pump, as described above).

petefromkent said:

Thé engineer told me there are some companies that can install a meter but not charge a standing charge fee. I would like this as my current plan would be to install the meter but NOT use any gas …. Maybe for a year or more while I save money to get the boiler working etc
Does anyone know who does this? 

Utolita have a zero standing charge tariff, but I don't know if they'll fit a meter for you. Also it's prepayment, but it should be with a smart meter so you'll be able to pay online and won't need to mess about with cards or keys.

I'm assuming you own your home, rather than renting? Otherwise fixing the boiler would be your landlord's responsibility.

Netexporter

bazdvd said:

Netexporter said:

Are you in receipt of any benfits? If so, it sounds as if you'd qualify for an ECO4 grant to fir a heat pump and possiblry solar panels, so you wouldn't then need a gas supply.

In order to qualify for free government funded home energy efficiency improvements, you must meet both of these criteria:

You are the property homeowner

Someone in your household claims one of the following qualifying benefits:

• Child Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credit

• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Related Employment & Support Allowance
• Pension Credit Savings Credit
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

Generally true but, as I found out, it depends on your Local Authority. I assumed I wasn't eligible for ECO4, because I don't receieve any benefits, apart from the State Pension, which isn't listed. However, the financial application is vetted by the LA, and, in my case, in combination with their local energy policy, I received a heat pump, complete with entirely new radiators, hot water cylinder, etc.They also fitted 10 solar panels. My bills for the past three months have been negative, and I expect will remain so until at least September, so I'll only be paying out in the 4 coldest months, mainly from my solar earnings in the summer.

Long story short, it's worth asking. 

20122013

Utilita will only accept customer with a smart meter, if you do not have one they will install one for you, free of charge, and they have no standing charge as such their unit rate is a about at least 30% higher than other providers who charges a Standing Charge.

Also, Utilita has said that paying them by Direct debit will be more expensive than doing prepay / pay as you go .. 

https://utilita.co.uk/

If you are on benefit, you may be entitled to warm home discounts.

LeslieAlan42

I went to Utilita for my electric supplier after my 2 year fix contract from SP came to it's end Aug 2024 and at the time most new dual power standing charge would have been around £0.90 per day. (now around 80p) & as I have had solar panels from 2017 (costing 6.6k) and recently got battery's in Sep 2024 (costing 6.3K). So in the 7 summer in my 5 bedroom end of terries home on the south cost the yearly power bill was around £800 with out battery - £180 for that going for Daily Standing Charge.
My Bill's visual graphic curve for cost was over the years all U shape, £120 Jan, Feb, then down to £80 then £30 for 6 month then up to £80 then last 2 month £120 again depending on the severity and length of the cold.
In Jan 2025 now with battery, my electric bill was £90. Feb £135 (no sun), March £70 (a bit more sun), April £10 (so much sun), May £3.50 (OMG can someone tern the sun off please, leg pull there). I had my Gas to BG with a 27p daily standing charge so £7.50+ per month for nout (old English for 0) . In June 2025 I had, had enough but it did cost me £50 to leave them early but I found this barebelly as helpfully they had miss a appointment to fit the SM 1st time + £40. I moved my Gas to Utilita June 2025 1st monthly gas bill was £2.50 (I forgot to tern off the hob, no pan over, so save) and so far July gas use 9p as I like a bacon and egg breakfast cooked on the gas hob and the gas central heating is off 7- 8 months as global worming + UK summer help a lot.
Electric use cost so far July £1.92. Yes with Utilita the 1st 2Kw per day of gas use will be £0.22 x 2 then 6pKw and electric 1st 2Kw is £0.47 x 2 then around £0.23 that is lower now as April power cost went down. And July cost also coming down a bit.
SC or 1st Gas/Electric 1Kw per day pay for.
I may move my Gas in Nov 2025 as my gas use will be higher (as winter is cold) but go back to Utilita in March 2026 as it is free to leave Utilita if that is sill the only non standing charge power utility tariff in the UK. As I believe the cost of the power supplied will be slightly higher but below £0.22 & £0.47. I will be looking at my power usage very closely over the coming months.
I like to look at my IHD with a green 0 for electric and white 0 for gas
My £50DD per month has gave me a credit at £170+ so far. As I'm on UC the £150 WHD will be added too this year power bill. So 5 x £50 + £170 + £150 = £570 for 6 months power used.
I believe that ECO4 will not help you to buy solar panels with or without battery's (double glazing yes) if your home is in band A B or C on the EPC. You can pay for a Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) on your property that last 10 years.
Please do not get coned by flashes adds for free ones. Mouth, Horse, Gift
But Not True :-  Utilita has said that paying them by Direct debit will be more expensive than doing prepay / pay as you go.