What’s Involved in a Gas Meter Upgrade?

Understanding When a Gas Meter Upgrade is Needed

There are a few key reasons why your gas utility company may advise that your gas meter requires an upgrade:

• Your existing meter is old and needs to be replaced to comply with current safety standards and regulations
• There has been an increase in gas demand at your property due to new gas appliances being installed or an extension being added
• New technology meters provide more accurate gas usage readings
• Advanced meters offer detailed insights into your household’s gas consumption patterns

You may receive a Gas Meter Replacement Programme notice from your gas utility company informing you that your meter needs upgrading. This notification typically includes benefits of the new meter, installation scheduling, costs, if any, and required preparatory actions for your property.

Upgrading your old gas metre brings important safety and accuracy improvements. The utility company primarily manages the installation process of the gas meter, while your role involves ensuring safe access, turning off pilot lights, and preparing for reconnection of your gas supply.

Initiating the Gas Meter Upgrade Request

To begin the process of upgrading your gas metre, initiate your gas meter upgrade by submitting a request to your gas utility company. The gas distributor will review your application and may send someone to visit your site and inspect your gas meter’s current setup.

Supply information about your property, current gas meter, and justification for the upgrade requirement.

Response times can vary, typically ranging from 2 to 4 weeks, based on the service provider’s schedule.

Ensure your availability on the day of installation to ensure clear access to your gas meter, turn off pilot lights, and prepare for a temporary interruption to your gas supply. Once approved, the utility company will arrange a suitable time with you to have your old gas meter removed and new gas meter installed.

Paddington Plumbing offers guidance through this process upon request. Our gas fitting technicians frequently help homeowners with meter upgrade applications, site preparation, and gas restoration post-installation. For help managing your gas meter upgrade, reach out to Paddington Plumbing at 1300 349 338 or email [email protected].

Preparing the Installation Site

As the property owner, Prepare for your new meter installation by fulfilling these key responsibilities:

• Ensure there is clear, safe, and easy access to the current meter location to get the meter changed efficiently. Remove any items or debris that may be obstructing the area.
• Ensure a secure and stable workspace for the gas technicians. This includes checking that meter brackets and pipes are adequately supported.
• Gas services connected to appliances inside your home or building will need to be temporarily interrupted. Turn off pilot lights on hot water systems, furnaces, stoves/ovens, etc in advance.
• Designate an onsite adult during installation for access provision and assisting the technicians as needed.
• Consider any vulnerable household occupants that rely on continuous gas supply for medical reasons. Discuss safety backup options with your gas utility if needed for at-home life support devices.
• Paddington Plumbing can also help advise and manage aspects of preparing your site for a smooth gas metre installation and reconnection. Contact our team if assistance would be helpful.

The Utility Company’s Role

The gas utility company is crucial in the gas meter upgrade process. They are responsible for the maintenance, accuracy and safety compliance of metres and service pipes up to your property’s gas isolation valve.

When an upgrade is scheduled, the utility company will:

• Send qualified technicians to remove your old gas metre and install the new one
• Ensure the metre and service pipes are connected properly and tested for gas leaks
• Restore gas supply once the new metre is fully installed and safe to turn back on
• Check appliance connections and relight pilot lights when needed

The utility company will arrange a suitable installation date and time with you for your gas meter. Clear access to your meter is essential during this scheduled time to enable a streamlined upgrade by technicians.

If any issues emerge with pipes inside your property boundaries during the metre swap, the utility company may engage a licenced plumber to rectify them before reconnecting your gas supply.

The Property Owner’s Role and Responsibilities

As the property owner, you have several important responsibilities relating to your gas meter upgrade:

• Engage qualified professionals when necessary, such as Paddington Plumbing’s licensed technicians, for communications, site preparation, appliance restoration after the upgrade, and needed rectification work.
• Coordinate timing with utility company - Be available on the pre-arranged installation date to provide clear access to the gas metre, assist technicians where required, and manage the temporary interruption to gas supply within your home/building.
• Prepare the site - Clear any obstructions around the metre, turn off pilot lights on appliances prior to shutdown, check brackets are secure, and nominate someone to be onsite during the upgrade.
• Restore gas appliances - Once supply is restored after the new metre installation, you will need to relight your pilot lights on hot water systems, stoves and other gas appliances.
• Maintain ongoing access - Keep the area around your gas meter clear and accessible for utility workers who may need access for future maintenance or safety checks.

Taking proactive steps as the property owner ensures your gas metre upgrade and ongoing management runs smoothly. Contact the Paddington Plumbing team on 1300 349 338 if you need assistance with meeting any of these gas metre responsibilities.

The Gas Meter Upgrade Process

Upgrading your gas metre is a straightforward process that typically follows these key steps:

1. Initial assessment - The gas utility company will review your application and send someone to inspect your existing metre setup if required.
2. Preparation - You’ll receive information regarding the proposed replacement date. You will need to prepare by clearing access, turning off pilot lights, and making arrangements to be home during the work.
3. Installation - On the scheduled date, Technicians will replace your old meter with a new one, typically within 1 to 2 hours.
4. Testing & restoration - The new gas connections will be tested for leaks, then supply restored. Pilot lights on appliances will be relit by technicians if needed.
5. Completion - Following the upgrade, your new meter will record gas usage more accurately. Maintain clear access for future metre readings or checks.

Completion of the upgrade generally spans 7 to 15 business days, subject to scheduling factors. If modifications are needed for your home’s pipework, additional time may apply.

Paddington Plumbing has fully certified and experienced gas fitters to assist with any related installation work, pre-upgrade preparations, appliance restoration or ongoing metre maintenance. Contact our team on 1300 349 338 if you need qualified help managing your gas metre upgrade or replacement.

Relighting Appliances

Once your new gas metre installation is complete and the utility company has restored supply, an important next step is to relight the pilot lights on any gas-powered appliances in your home or building.

If not already addressed by technicians, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines carefully to relight the pilot lights on hot water systems, furnaces, ovens and stoves.

Use long matches or an extended lighter to prevent finger burns during pilot ignition. After relighting, verify the proper functioning of your appliances. Consult digital manuals for guidance if unsure how to relight any appliance.

If you have any medical or life support equipment relying on gas supply, are unfamiliar with relighting pilot lights, or feel unsafe doing so - contact Paddington Plumbing immediately on 1300 349 338. Our licensed gas technicians can quickly attend to your property, safely restoring appliances, and ensuring continuity of gas supply for medical equipment.

Ensuring Continued Safe Access

It is important to ensure clear and safe access to your gas metre is maintained at all times after the new metre installation.

When landscaping or completing renovations around the metre location, keep in mind that utility workers will need ongoing access for regular readings, safety checks and any required maintenance.

Avoid planting trees, shrubs or plants that could obstruct the metre when fully grown. Check with your gas provider if any foliage already surrounds the metre and may need pruning or removal.

Likewise, any structures such as pergolas, fences or sheds built near the metre area should not restrict access to the metre via the provided opening or doorway.

Security measures like locked gates should still enable a utility worker to access the metre if needed. Your gas provider may install a separate lock to ensure 24/7 access can be maintained in emergency situations.

Maintaining an unobstructed, accessible gas meter location ensures both safety and compliance with your gas utility’s requirements.

If you have any queries about access or metre safety requirements, please contact Paddington Plumbing on 1300 349 338.

Costs and Considerations

Upgrading your gas meter can involve some costs, depending on the policy of your local utility provider. In many cases, the initial installation fees may be covered by the utility company or rolled into your ongoing usage bills over time.

However, there are a few scenarios where you may incur additional charges:

• If non-standard pipework, excavation or modifications are required to facilitate the metre installation or meet compliance standards, extra fees may apply.
• If you request an expedited metre upgrade ahead of the utility company’s existing replacement schedule, you may be charged for the accelerated service.
• If an issue with your internal piping or appliances is identified during the metre upgrade, you will be responsible for rectifying this separately via a licenced plumber.

While there may be some initial expense, upgrading your old gas metre can provide long-term benefits that outweigh these costs over time. The advanced metres last longer, reduce leaks, enhance safety and provide you with more detailed usage data to potentially save money.

Depending on your local regulations, you may need home development approvals or council permits for the meter upgrade work. Paddington Plumbing can guide you through this process and liaise with utilities and regulators on your behalf. Our experienced team stay across the latest compliance standards to ensure your metre upgrade follows proper protocols.

For advice on potential costs, paperwork you may need home or to get the process underway, please contact Paddington Plumbing on 1300 349 338 or email [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about upgrading your gas metre:

How long does a typical gas metre upgrade take?

The total process usually takes 7-15 business days from approval through to completion. It may extend beyond this if modifications to pipework are required.

What costs are involved with a metre upgrade?

In many cases there are no direct costs to the homeowner. But additional fees can apply if non-standard work is needed to facilitate the upgrade.

Will you conduct safety checks before reconnecting my gas?

Yes, the utility company will test all new gas connections for leaks and ensure safety compliance before restoring supply to your home’s appliances.

Will my appliances still operate safely after the upgrade?

Yes, a seamless changeover is normal. Technicians can assist with relighting pilot lights if needed once supply is restored.

Should I hire qualified gas fitters to manage the upgrade?

Yes, if you need home assistance, it’s advisable to utilise certified professionals like Paddington Plumbing to guide you through the process.