Is it illegal to move your gas meter?
6 min read
Asked by: Tiffany Jones
If you’re doing some building work you may decide that you need to move your gas meter with your gas pipe. This is the type of job you probably wouldn’t know where to start with, but that’s fine. You shouldn’t be attempting to move your meter yourself as moving this is actually illegal and very dangerous.
How can I move my gas meter?
Can I move my gas or electric meter myself? No, moving gas meters is a difficult process, so it’s not something you can do yourself. It’s illegal for anyone but a qualified, licensed professional – such as a Gas Safe engineer – to change the meter’s position.
How much does it cost to move a gas meter UK?
£400 to £1,000
To relocate a gas meter, costs range from an estimated £400 to £1,000, plus labour. For electricity meters, the starting price is lower – around £75, unless your electricity distributor is involved in the process. This bumps up the starting price to around £400.
Can I move my meter?
Only your current supplier can move your meter. This means if you want another supplier to do it you have to switch your supply to them first. This will change your prices for gas and electricity, so check that it’s worth it overall before you switch. See our advice on getting the best deal by switching supplier.
Do gas meters have to be outside?
Can a gas meter be installed outside? Yes, a new gas meter can be installed in an external location. The meter will need to be housed in a meter box that’s secured to a permanent fixed structure so that no one can tamper with it.
Can a gas meter be inside a garage?
Gas meters can be installed in garages,but the incoming gas main to the meter must run underground external of the property then rise to a built in gas box or through the wall to the meter.
Where should my gas meter be located?
Meter should be located in the front or within 10 feet of the front corner of the home. If you have a septic system, it must be clearly marked prior to the installation of a new service line.
Can you move a meter box?
Whatever the reason, you can’t move your meter yourself. In fact, it’s illegal to do so. But who does the work will depend on how far you’re moving your meter and why. Below you’ll find a guide to getting your gas and electricity meters relocated.
Can a gas Safe engineer remove a gas meter?
Our Gas Safe Registered and GIRS qualified engineer partners are fully qualified to carry out all aspects of gas meter installations, removals, relocations and increase and decrease of meter sizes.
Can I build around my gas meter?
Yes, there are clearance requirements. You want to check with local gas distributor. Or maybe also a risk that erecting any construction so close to the meter will require excavation that needs to be clear of any buried gas lines.
Can you build a porch around a gas meter?
Building over a natural gas meter is illegal – and dangerous. By law, residential and commercial builders MUST NOT build any structure, including a deck or patio, on top of, or around, an outside natural gas meter and underground service line (see illustration below).
How far can a gas meter be from a window?
BE LOCATED AT A PLACE WHERE ANY VENTING GAS CAN ESCAPE FREELY INTO ATMOSPHERE BE AWAY FROM ANY WINDOWS, DOORS, SOFFIT VENTS OR ANY OPENINGS WHERE GAS CAN ENTER THE BUILDING. MAINTAIN A MINIMUM OF 18 INCHES HORIZONTAL CLEARANCE IF THAT OPENING IS WITHIN 6 FEET VERTICALLY OF THE VENT TERMINUS.
Can you put a fence around gas meter?
Your gas meter should not be enclosed inside the fence. Keeping your meter clear is vital to ensure that it does not get damaged, your gas service is not interrupted, and to prevent a malfunction. An installation like the one you’re proposing, though, could potentially be done in a meter box.
How much clearance do you need around a gas meter?
(a) Gas meter locations must be 78 inches high and allow for a minimum clear and level working space of 3 feet in front of the meter; width depends on meter size and the number of meters. Grade slope should be less than 2%.
Do gas meters need to be boxed in?
The gas meter should be in a vented enclosure if you box that in. For the electrics, just build a box round it, but make sure you leave room for any future works or maintenance on the existing gear.
Who is responsible for installing a gas meter?
Gas meter boxes can be installed by the homeowner before the supplier installs the supply, or the gas supplier might install the meter box through some agreement with the consumer. However, once the meter box is installed it appears that the consumer (usually the property owner) is responsible for its maintenance.
Is your gas meter outside in a box on the ground?
Semi-concealed gas meters are usually found outside, and the sloped lid is usually brown. When you open the lid, the meter inside may be partially below ground level.
Does a gas meter need a housing?
If your meter is to be installed outside or even inside in certain circumstances, you will require a gas meter housing.
Can you install your own gas meter UK?
I am aware that it is not illegal to purchase and install my own Gas/electric Meter by a Gas safe engineer and electric engineer, as Quoted by the National Grid, and with all relevant safety documents; any Gas/electric meter witch is owned and bought by me and not any other company is my responsibility to forward on …
Can you have a gas meter in a bedroom UK?
The only place you have to worry about them being is a room where there may be lots of moisture in the air.
Who is responsible for gas pipes before the meter UK?
The property owner is responsible for maintaining internal pipes leading from the meter to gas appliances such as boilers, cookers and heaters and for making sure all gas appliances in the property are checked and serviced annually.
Can I build an extension over a gas pipe?
Can I build over a gas pipe? No, you must not build over or attempt to move/alter the gas pipes or meter without seeking advice from us.
Can you run gas pipes outside?
There is no problem with running a gas pipe externally its a perfectly acceptable practice.
Who is responsible for external gas pipes?
State and Federal regulations mandate that gas companies maintain gas lines up to and including the gas meter. Maintenance BEYOND the gas meter, that is, the gas line that extends from the meter into your home is normally the responsibility of the gas user or property owner.
Do outside gas pipes need insulation?
While PEX is less at risk of freezing than copper (plastic doesn’t conduct cold the way metal does), both types of pipes need to be protected if they’re exposed to the weather. You don’t, however, have to insulate gas pipes. These are made of galvanized metal, which typically appears dull and heavy.
How deep does a gas supply have to be?
A gas main should normally be laid with a minimum depth of cover of 750 mm in a road or verge and 600 mm in a footpath. A gas service pipe should normally be laid with a minimum depth of cover of 375 mm in private ground and 450 mm in footpaths and highways.