Gas Meter Exchange.
22 June 2013, 01:57 PM
#1
Gas Meter Exchange.
Call me cynical but they can f!ck right off as I won't allow anyone in my property to change my meter which was changed less than ten years ago. The only reason I can see for change so they can screw more money out of me. I definitely can't see it being in my interests. A quick look on the net confirms I am not alone in my suspicions.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/reque...ange_programme
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/reque...ange_programme
22 June 2013, 03:57 PM
#2
They changed mine.
Then they had to come in and check the boiler had re-lit...fair enough.
THEN they wanted to look at the gas-fire....and told me I was "lucky". Apparently if it had been any more powerful, they would have "had to isolate it" until I had a vent fitted in the front room
THEN they looked at the balanced flue. They gave me 14 days to fit a cage round it, or again, my gas would be cut off.
I asked why, I was told it was to protect kids.
I pointed out that a) my kids were fully grown, and b) the flue was in the back garden, hidden from sight and not easily accessible.
Cut no ice: fit a guard or get cut off.
These fekkers have too much power and the UK is a fekkin nanny state...cheers Bliar and Lying labour you *****!
PS: SOMEONE changed my leccy meter too, WITHOUT my permission and WITHOUT telling me.......
They had NO idea what was connected inside and might have reacted badly to being off. But they did it anyway.
When I rang and complained, they had no record of who had done it........
Then they had to come in and check the boiler had re-lit...fair enough.
THEN they wanted to look at the gas-fire....and told me I was "lucky". Apparently if it had been any more powerful, they would have "had to isolate it" until I had a vent fitted in the front room
THEN they looked at the balanced flue. They gave me 14 days to fit a cage round it, or again, my gas would be cut off.
I asked why, I was told it was to protect kids.
I pointed out that a) my kids were fully grown, and b) the flue was in the back garden, hidden from sight and not easily accessible.
Cut no ice: fit a guard or get cut off.
These fekkers have too much power and the UK is a fekkin nanny state...cheers Bliar and Lying labour you *****!
PS: SOMEONE changed my leccy meter too, WITHOUT my permission and WITHOUT telling me.......
They had NO idea what was connected inside and might have reacted badly to being off. But they did it anyway.
When I rang and complained, they had no record of who had done it........
22 June 2013, 04:05 PM
#4
They changed mine.
Then they had to come in and check the boiler had re-lit...fair enough.
THEN they wanted to look at the gas-fire....and told me I was "lucky". Apparently if it had been any more powerful, they would have "had to isolate it" until I had a vent fitted in the front room
THEN they looked at the balanced flue. They gave me 14 days to fit a cage round it, or again, my gas would be cut off.
I asked why, I was told it was to protect kids.
I pointed out that a) my kids were fully grown, and b) the flue was in the back garden, hidden from sight and not easily accessible.
Cut no ice: fit a guard or get cut off.
These fekkers have too much power and the UK is a fekkin nanny state...cheers Bliar and Lying labour you *****!
PS: SOMEONE changed my leccy meter too, WITHOUT my permission and WITHOUT telling me.......
They had NO idea what was connected inside and might have reacted badly to being off. But they did it anyway.
When I rang and complained, they had no record of who had done it........
Then they had to come in and check the boiler had re-lit...fair enough.
THEN they wanted to look at the gas-fire....and told me I was "lucky". Apparently if it had been any more powerful, they would have "had to isolate it" until I had a vent fitted in the front room
THEN they looked at the balanced flue. They gave me 14 days to fit a cage round it, or again, my gas would be cut off.
I asked why, I was told it was to protect kids.
I pointed out that a) my kids were fully grown, and b) the flue was in the back garden, hidden from sight and not easily accessible.
Cut no ice: fit a guard or get cut off.
These fekkers have too much power and the UK is a fekkin nanny state...cheers Bliar and Lying labour you *****!
PS: SOMEONE changed my leccy meter too, WITHOUT my permission and WITHOUT telling me.......
They had NO idea what was connected inside and might have reacted badly to being off. But they did it anyway.
When I rang and complained, they had no record of who had done it........
22 June 2013, 04:45 PM
#5
Scooby Regular
The National Grid have nothing to do with Gas Meters, at most they're the ones digging the street replacing the gas supply pipes.
If anything the company responsible for Gas Meters to be changed is Transco, BG or N-Power as they are the only companies allowed to change them. If they have requested to change your Gas Meter so early it will more than likely be for a Smart Meter which are a benefit as YOU are able to monitor your gas usage without having to do your own calculations. The fact is whether you think it's for your benefit or not, by law ALL Gas Meters have to be Smart Meters by 2016. One thing that absolutely does NOT change is your energy supplier, regardless of who fits the meter.
Oh and just so you know, it may be your house but if you look at the Gas Meter it clearly states that the meter is the property of Transco and under the law they do have a legal right to make changes to or replace it as they see fit. If you don't let them in to change it, simple, they cut you off in the street until you let them in. They can and do do this, mainly in the situation of gas leaks in the property.
As far as their manner of speaking to you, it's been a subject of argument between us (Gas Engineers) and Transco (Nicknamed T.O.F.O.) for many years, I've had a few very heated arguments about how they conduct themselves in peoples houses. They do have a tendency to try and put the frighteners up customers and we're left to calm things down again, basically my advice with them is - They have NO idea about the rules/regulations etc regarding appliances, they deal with gas supply upto your gas meter but they do have to purge your gas system (relight appliance to make sure they work) and at most they call a BG engineer out to inspect the supposed problem.
Just to respond to Geoff's post; they cannot cut you off because your flue has no guard on - That's either your misunderstanding or they were talking boll0cks!
Same goes for your fire. Think about it, if your has been installed for X years and no one has died from CO poisoning, is it really going to make a difference on how it works/burns gas now that they've changed the gas meter?! Absolutely not. Simple. End of.
At the VERY most, they arrange a follow up visit for one of our BG Engineers to attend to inspect it who will basically classify it as per the Gas Regulations. I can tell you now 100% that if those are the only things he mentioned, a British Gas Engineer will classify them as the following;
Boiler Flue has no Terminal Guard - Not to the Current Standards (lowest advisory notice) Basically a written notice, acknowledgement only, non or little action required.
Fire requires permanent air vent* - Appliance turned off the same as you'd turn it off (not disconnected or cut off!) an At Risk Notice + Yellow hanging label to go on the fire. Same again a written notice, acknowledgement but advised that it is in the interest of safety that remedial work should be carried out (this is still optional and not a legal requirement)
*Only fires of 7kw Net require a permanent air vent
In either case it would be a letter which they ask you to sign to acknowledge they've told you about it and possibly (I would ask) ask you if you'd like a quote for the remedial work done - simple yes or no answer.
If anything the company responsible for Gas Meters to be changed is Transco, BG or N-Power as they are the only companies allowed to change them. If they have requested to change your Gas Meter so early it will more than likely be for a Smart Meter which are a benefit as YOU are able to monitor your gas usage without having to do your own calculations. The fact is whether you think it's for your benefit or not, by law ALL Gas Meters have to be Smart Meters by 2016. One thing that absolutely does NOT change is your energy supplier, regardless of who fits the meter.
Oh and just so you know, it may be your house but if you look at the Gas Meter it clearly states that the meter is the property of Transco and under the law they do have a legal right to make changes to or replace it as they see fit. If you don't let them in to change it, simple, they cut you off in the street until you let them in. They can and do do this, mainly in the situation of gas leaks in the property.
As far as their manner of speaking to you, it's been a subject of argument between us (Gas Engineers) and Transco (Nicknamed T.O.F.O.) for many years, I've had a few very heated arguments about how they conduct themselves in peoples houses. They do have a tendency to try and put the frighteners up customers and we're left to calm things down again, basically my advice with them is - They have NO idea about the rules/regulations etc regarding appliances, they deal with gas supply upto your gas meter but they do have to purge your gas system (relight appliance to make sure they work) and at most they call a BG engineer out to inspect the supposed problem.
Just to respond to Geoff's post; they cannot cut you off because your flue has no guard on - That's either your misunderstanding or they were talking boll0cks!
Same goes for your fire. Think about it, if your has been installed for X years and no one has died from CO poisoning, is it really going to make a difference on how it works/burns gas now that they've changed the gas meter?! Absolutely not. Simple. End of.
At the VERY most, they arrange a follow up visit for one of our BG Engineers to attend to inspect it who will basically classify it as per the Gas Regulations. I can tell you now 100% that if those are the only things he mentioned, a British Gas Engineer will classify them as the following;
Boiler Flue has no Terminal Guard - Not to the Current Standards (lowest advisory notice) Basically a written notice, acknowledgement only, non or little action required.
Fire requires permanent air vent* - Appliance turned off the same as you'd turn it off (not disconnected or cut off!) an At Risk Notice + Yellow hanging label to go on the fire. Same again a written notice, acknowledgement but advised that it is in the interest of safety that remedial work should be carried out (this is still optional and not a legal requirement)
*Only fires of 7kw Net require a permanent air vent
In either case it would be a letter which they ask you to sign to acknowledge they've told you about it and possibly (I would ask) ask you if you'd like a quote for the remedial work done - simple yes or no answer.
22 June 2013, 05:35 PM
#6
Scooby Senior
I requested smart meters and initially loved them, worked very well. Now I'm suspicious, I was away for two months straight, a little electricity could have been used as my cleaner will have needed to see where she was mopping, but no gas was used. However, the smart meters showed hardly any drop in consumption at all, this was March/April. I called and was pretty much fobbed off with some blarney about taking a year to be accurate. Still not happy about it all.
22 June 2013, 05:44 PM
#7
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Call me cynical but they can f!ck right off as I won't allow anyone in my property to change my meter which was changed less than ten years ago. The only reason I can see for change so they can screw more money out of me. I definitely can't see it being in my interests. A quick look on the net confirms I am not alone in my suspicions.
I am currently involved in the main replacement programme in Wales and the South West and the fact is that under the rights of entry act we can enter any property to inspect, replace, or remove any meter or isolate the supply. If you do refuse entry you will either be a) cut off outside your house or b) told of an enforced entry if there is reason to believe this is necessary.
When I was on call covering the distribution system we used the R of E act on quite a few occasions especially when picking up gas readings inside properties.
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22 June 2013, 05:51 PM
#8
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They changed mine.
Then they had to come in and check the boiler had re-lit...fair enough.
THEN they wanted to look at the gas-fire....and told me I was "lucky". Apparently if it had been any more powerful, they would have "had to isolate it" until I had a vent fitted in the front room
THEN they looked at the balanced flue. They gave me 14 days to fit a cage round it, or again, my gas would be cut off.
I asked why, I was told it was to protect kids.
I pointed out that a) my kids were fully grown, and b) the flue was in the back garden, hidden from sight and not easily accessible.
Cut no ice: fit a guard or get cut off.
Then they had to come in and check the boiler had re-lit...fair enough.
THEN they wanted to look at the gas-fire....and told me I was "lucky". Apparently if it had been any more powerful, they would have "had to isolate it" until I had a vent fitted in the front room
THEN they looked at the balanced flue. They gave me 14 days to fit a cage round it, or again, my gas would be cut off.
I asked why, I was told it was to protect kids.
I pointed out that a) my kids were fully grown, and b) the flue was in the back garden, hidden from sight and not easily accessible.
Cut no ice: fit a guard or get cut off.
I was called some years ago to a house that had reported a smell of gas. No leak was detected but the house owner had put a rag on top of the flue whilst washing his car a few days before. This had then been covered in snow and partially blocked the flue causing fumes ie carbon monoxide to flow back into the house. If this had not been noticed who knows what could have happened to the parents and 2 kids in the house. Having seen 2 OAPs who died from CO poisoning I can assure you that checks like this are worthwhile.
22 June 2013, 05:54 PM
#9
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What annoys me Geoff is the pretext under which they present themselves. They make out they are a public authority operating for our benefit when in fact they are privately owned enterprises working on a profit basis. I have had my gas supply, pipes, appliances and meter checked and guess what? They are all fine! However according to National Grid my meter is outdated, obsolete and danger to anyone within 500 yards! They have no legal mandate to change the meters from my research and I daresay it's another rip off the consumer tactic. There's no way they're coming in to my property to change any meter.
22 June 2013, 06:16 PM
#10
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If anything the company responsible for Gas Meters to be changed is Transco, BG or N-Power as they are the only companies allowed to change them.
by law ALL Gas Meters have to be Smart Meters by 2016.
Oh and just so you know, it may be your house but if you look at the Gas Meter it clearly states that the meter is the property of ***** and under the law they do have a legal right to make changes to or replace it as they see fit. If you don't let them in to change it, simple, they cut you off in the street until you let them in. They can and do do this, mainly in the situation of gas leaks in the property.
As far as their manner of speaking to you, it's been a subject of argument between us (Gas Engineers)
and Transco (Nicknamed T.O.F.O.) for many years,
Yep, Turn Off **** OFF
I've had a few very heated arguments about how they conduct themselves in peoples houses. They do have a tendency to try and put the frighteners up customers and we're left to calm things down again, basically my advice with them is - They have NO idea about the rules/regulations etc regarding appliances, they deal with gas supply upto your gas meter but they do have to purge your gas system (relight appliance to make sure they work) and at most they call a BG engineer out to inspect the supposed problem.
Same goes for your fire. Think about it, if your has been installed for X years and no one has died from CO poisoning, is it really going to make a difference on how it works/burns gas now that they've changed the gas meter?! Absolutely not. Simple. End of.
22 June 2013, 06:22 PM
#11
I am currently involved in the main replacement programme in Wales and the South West and the fact is that under the rights of entry act we can enter any property to inspect, replace, or remove any meter or isolate the supply. If you do refuse entry you will either be a) cut off outside your house or b) told of an enforced entry if there is reason to believe this is necessary.
When I was on call covering the distribution system we used the R of E act on quite a few occasions especially when picking up gas readings inside properties.
When I was on call covering the distribution system we used the R of E act on quite a few occasions especially when picking up gas readings inside properties.
Okay so it seems I may have no choice but to allow this exchange to take place. However given what Jack Clark has said my suspicions for the change have not abated. Furthermore how can a meter that is approximately six or seven years old be outdated? Especially considering my last meter was in the property for over twenty two years.
22 June 2013, 06:41 PM
#12
Scooby Regular
Wrong again. Transco does not exist and has not for 8 years as they were taken over by Nat Grid. I know I used to work there. BG do not do much here in the UK pipe wise as it is an exploration, storage and production company. Npower sell gas and elctricity, they do not have any remit on pipes or meters at all.
That's the third time it's been push back. It was 2014 at the launch then 2016 now 2020...
Yes British Gas Service and Repair Engineers as in my job title.
) even without a permanent air vent.
22 June 2013, 06:43 PM
#13
The National Grid have nothing to do with Gas Meters, at most they're the ones digging the street replacing the gas supply pipes.
If anything the company responsible for Gas Meters to be changed is Transco, BG or N-Power as they are the only companies allowed to change them. If they have requested to change your Gas Meter so early it will more than likely be for a Smart Meter which are a benefit as YOU are able to monitor your gas usage without having to do your own calculations. The fact is whether you think it's for your benefit or not, by law ALL Gas Meters have to be Smart Meters by 2016. One thing that absolutely does NOT change is your energy supplier, regardless of who fits the meter.
Oh and just so you know, it may be your house but if you look at the Gas Meter it clearly states that the meter is the property of Transco and under the law they do have a legal right to make changes to or replace it as they see fit. If you don't let them in to change it, simple, they cut you off in the street until you let them in. They can and do do this, mainly in the situation of gas leaks in the property.
As far as their manner of speaking to you, it's been a subject of argument between us (Gas Engineers) and Transco (Nicknamed T.O.F.O.) for many years, I've had a few very heated arguments about how they conduct themselves in peoples houses. They do have a tendency to try and put the frighteners up customers and we're left to calm things down again, basically my advice with them is - They have NO idea about the rules/regulations etc regarding appliances, they deal with gas supply upto your gas meter but they do have to purge your gas system (relight appliance to make sure they work) and at most they call a BG engineer out to inspect the supposed problem.
Just to respond to Geoff's post; they cannot cut you off because your flue has no guard on - That's either your misunderstanding or they were talking boll0cks!
Same goes for your fire. Think about it, if your has been installed for X years and no one has died from CO poisoning, is it really going to make a difference on how it works/burns gas now that they've changed the gas meter?! Absolutely not. Simple. End of.
At the VERY most, they arrange a follow up visit for one of our BG Engineers to attend to inspect it who will basically classify it as per the Gas Regulations. I can tell you now 100% that if those are the only things he mentioned, a British Gas Engineer will classify them as the following;
Boiler Flue has no Terminal Guard - Not to the Current Standards (lowest advisory notice) Basically a written notice, acknowledgement only, non or little action required.
Fire requires permanent air vent* - Appliance turned off the same as you'd turn it off (not disconnected or cut off!) an At Risk Notice + Yellow hanging label to go on the fire. Same again a written notice, acknowledgement but advised that it is in the interest of safety that remedial work should be carried out (this is still optional and not a legal requirement)
*Only fires of 7kw Net require a permanent air vent
In either case it would be a letter which they ask you to sign to acknowledge they've told you about it and possibly (I would ask) ask you if you'd like a quote for the remedial work done - simple yes or no answer.
If anything the company responsible for Gas Meters to be changed is Transco, BG or N-Power as they are the only companies allowed to change them. If they have requested to change your Gas Meter so early it will more than likely be for a Smart Meter which are a benefit as YOU are able to monitor your gas usage without having to do your own calculations. The fact is whether you think it's for your benefit or not, by law ALL Gas Meters have to be Smart Meters by 2016. One thing that absolutely does NOT change is your energy supplier, regardless of who fits the meter.
Oh and just so you know, it may be your house but if you look at the Gas Meter it clearly states that the meter is the property of Transco and under the law they do have a legal right to make changes to or replace it as they see fit. If you don't let them in to change it, simple, they cut you off in the street until you let them in. They can and do do this, mainly in the situation of gas leaks in the property.
As far as their manner of speaking to you, it's been a subject of argument between us (Gas Engineers) and Transco (Nicknamed T.O.F.O.) for many years, I've had a few very heated arguments about how they conduct themselves in peoples houses. They do have a tendency to try and put the frighteners up customers and we're left to calm things down again, basically my advice with them is - They have NO idea about the rules/regulations etc regarding appliances, they deal with gas supply upto your gas meter but they do have to purge your gas system (relight appliance to make sure they work) and at most they call a BG engineer out to inspect the supposed problem.
Just to respond to Geoff's post; they cannot cut you off because your flue has no guard on - That's either your misunderstanding or they were talking boll0cks!
Same goes for your fire. Think about it, if your has been installed for X years and no one has died from CO poisoning, is it really going to make a difference on how it works/burns gas now that they've changed the gas meter?! Absolutely not. Simple. End of.
At the VERY most, they arrange a follow up visit for one of our BG Engineers to attend to inspect it who will basically classify it as per the Gas Regulations. I can tell you now 100% that if those are the only things he mentioned, a British Gas Engineer will classify them as the following;
Boiler Flue has no Terminal Guard - Not to the Current Standards (lowest advisory notice) Basically a written notice, acknowledgement only, non or little action required.
Fire requires permanent air vent* - Appliance turned off the same as you'd turn it off (not disconnected or cut off!) an At Risk Notice + Yellow hanging label to go on the fire. Same again a written notice, acknowledgement but advised that it is in the interest of safety that remedial work should be carried out (this is still optional and not a legal requirement)
*Only fires of 7kw Net require a permanent air vent
In either case it would be a letter which they ask you to sign to acknowledge they've told you about it and possibly (I would ask) ask you if you'd like a quote for the remedial work done - simple yes or no answer.
22 June 2013, 06:44 PM
#14
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I'll be the judge of whether they're updated and accurate (especially considering when some of the meters are refurbished units). Something to hide? Yes my collection of w@nk mags piled in the cellar.
Okay so it seems I may have no choice but to allow this exchange to take place. However given what Jack Clark has said my suspicions for the change have not abated. Furthermore how can a meter that is approximately six or seven years old be outdated? Especially considering my last meter was in the property for over twenty two years.
Okay so it seems I may have no choice but to allow this exchange to take place. However given what Jack Clark has said my suspicions for the change have not abated. Furthermore how can a meter that is approximately six or seven years old be outdated? Especially considering my last meter was in the property for over twenty two years.
22 June 2013, 06:50 PM
#15
Also for the record I had some correspondence from G4S (Group 4 Security if I'm not mistaken) about a year ago. This was when I was with Scottish Power (I am now with Spark Energy) and I had three letters from G4S asking to come and change my meter. When I changed supplier the letters also stopped. Does this mean different suppliers use different companies to change meters? If so then who has ownership of meters?! This is also another reason why I'm deeply dubious and is something I should have mentioned earlier.
Last edited by Maz; 22 June 2013 at 06:52 PM.
22 June 2013, 06:52 PM
#16
Scooby Regular
Bearing in mind that you've given me good advice before regarding Ashbourne Services I'm interested in your opinion on the veracity of swapping meters. As you're in the industry and therefore better placed than most to comment would you say a change of meter won't affect my bills? I will happily swap to a new meter but deep down my mistrust of utility companies is telling me that it'll end up me paying higher bills!
From my experience with my customers though, the only ones that have had a problem are when there has been a delay in updating the records of the new meter installation and the readings given when they are read are way off. That's a computer system for you but usually a phone will sort it. I would say to get a meter reading of the old meter just before it is taken out. That way IF you do have a problem and need to call your supplier, you can help them calculate a more accurate figure and reset their system and your account.
As far as changing it so soon after the last change, my only guess would be either upgrading to a Smart Meter which can be done at any time really regardless of the current meters age.
Last edited by BULLITT; 22 June 2013 at 06:56 PM.
22 June 2013, 06:57 PM
#17
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Erm, yes they do, TRANSCO is part of British Gas. As it clearly states on all of their vans. There were digging up my parents garden when replacing replacing the gas pipe in the garden. All the vans were sign written TRANSCO, all of the equipment had TRANSCO on and so did the paperwork. I also only called them a few weeks back to sort an issue out with a faulty meter regulator!
http://www.transco.co.uk/
And British Gas DO NOT do ANY work on distribution or transmission pipelines in the UK. They merely service and maintain on boilers, fires,CH etc.
That's the third time it's been push back. It was 2014 at the launch then 2016 now 2020...
Yes British Gas Service and Repair Engineers as in my job title.
Who else would I be referring to when talking about Gas Suppliers?? I think it's pretty common knowledge that the BG abbreviation in this topic relates to British Gas
But that's not what Geoff was talking about. He said that he was told that IF the fire was any larger he would have to cut it off as it had no permanent ventilation. This is utter boll0cks. A fire can still pass a smoke test, which presume you mean a Spillage Test since there is two smoke tests (see, I can be condescending too ) even without a permanent air vent.
) even without a permanent air vent.
Last edited by Chip; 22 June 2013 at 07:08 PM.
22 June 2013, 07:03 PM
#18
Perhaps it is something I should consider. It'd be interesting to hear from people who have had their meters exchanged and are able to give a before and after comparison on energy bills. Also what is your unbiased opinion on the points raised on this page below.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/reque...ange_programme
22 June 2013, 07:29 PM
#19
Scooby Regular
My point is still valid that they do have to be changed by law, the fact that your guys have had to put the date back 3 times speak more about NatGrid work than my knowledge of when it should be completed.
So somebody that REPAIRS and maintains a mechanical device/applaince etc something is not an engineer? Since it is my Job Title. What else would we be called.
That's not what I said, not even close! You said that there was a difference between BG and British Gas. What is that difference?? I said that it's pretty common knowledge that the BG abbreviation in this topic relates to British Gas at no point has BG ever meant Centrica, Transco or NatGrid 
So what else would BG refer to?
Exactly, YOU know nothing about domestic stuff, same as the rest of the "Gas Emergency Service" yet you (generally) continue to scare people into thinking things are very dangerous when they are clearly not. Which was my initial point in the first place. If you're going to try to be patronizing at least make sure you know what you're talking about. Glass houses and stones etc
So somebody that REPAIRS and maintains a mechanical device/applaince etc something is not an engineer?
Since it is my Job Title. What else would we be called. So what else would BG refer to? Exactly, YOU know nothing about domestic stuff, same as the rest of the "Gas Emergency Service" yet you (generally) continue to scare people into thinking things are very dangerous when they are clearly not. Which was my initial point in the first place. If you're going to try to be patronizing at least make sure you know what you're talking about. Glass houses and stones etc
Last edited by BULLITT; 22 June 2013 at 07:30 PM.
22 June 2013, 08:00 PM
#20
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And Nat Grid work on behalf of the energy suppliers when it comes to changing meters.And Oh yes, British Gas is one of them.
So somebody that REPAIRS and maintains a mechanical device/applaince etc something is not an engineer? Since it is my Job Title. What else would we be called.
Since it is my Job Title. What else would we be called.
That's not what I said, not even close! You said that there was a difference between BG and British Gas. What is that difference?? I said that it's pretty common knowledge that the BG abbreviation in this topic relates to British Gas at no point has BG ever meant Centrica, Transco or NatGrid So what else would BG refer to?
So what else would BG refer to?
http://www.bg-group.com/AboutBG/Pages/AboutBG.aspx
http://www.britishgas.co.uk/
Exactly, YOU know nothing about domestic stuff, same as the rest of the "Gas Emergency Service" yet you (generally) continue to scare people into thinking things are very dangerous when they are clearly not. Which was my initial point in the first place. If you're going to try to be patronizing at least make sure you know what you're talking about. Glass houses and stones etc
Do you mean the same "gas emergency service thats gets called out to any gas incident in the UK. Do you do that ? No. You just fix bits of 15mm copper etc. Who's scaring people into thinking things are dangerous, I'm certainly not. I have just stated facts.
And as for knowing what I am talking about I am actually one of the few that can work on any pipe at any pressure from the rigs to the meter. Compressor stations, PRS, LNG, down to IP, MP and local Distribution systems. Also got all SCO docs. Yourself?? Oh yeah your a plumber
Last edited by Chip; 22 June 2013 at 08:04 PM.
22 June 2013, 09:08 PM
#21
to me BG = British Gas
i moved house 9 years ago, for the first 2 years the gas bills were ok, then they said 'we need to change your meter', i said 'why?', reply 'we don't think it's reading accurately, we think your meter could be reading more than you are using'. i thought ok and they changed it. what a mistake our bills went up straight away, nearly doubling in 12 months. i have complained so many times and just get BS. they can test my meter, but it will cost me for an engineer (yes, thats what they are ) to remove it, then £80 to test it and then pay for it refitting.
we are paying over £60 and the only think thats gas is a combi boiler. we have got electric cooker and shower that are used daily and my electric is only £40 a month
i moved house 9 years ago, for the first 2 years the gas bills were ok, then they said 'we need to change your meter', i said 'why?', reply 'we don't think it's reading accurately, we think your meter could be reading more than you are using'. i thought ok and they changed it. what a mistake
our bills went up straight away, nearly doubling in 12 months. i have complained so many times and just get BS. they can test my meter, but it will cost me for an engineer (yes, thats what they are ) to remove it, then £80 to test it and then pay for it refitting. we are paying over £60 and the only think thats gas is a combi boiler. we have got electric cooker and shower that are used daily and my electric is only £40 a month
23 June 2013, 10:03 AM
#24
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I said it does not need an engineer to undo two nuts on a meter. Being qualified to do this simple task DOES NOT make you an engineer.
Did you ever change a wheel on your pushbike? Yes? Then you probaby think your an engineer do you
23 June 2013, 01:50 PM
#25
Explains why he went around looking at every gas appliance and room vent...lucky the lounge has trickle vents in all the windows otherwise the fire would have to be disconnected. FFS its a ventilated suspended wooden floor...and there is a vent hole UNDER the fireplace...as it was originally designed for a wood burner..I have the original house plans to prove it).
Despite this, he never checked the burner pressure of the boiler....maybe because the risk of fecking it up after removing the cover is too great? Nor did he check the combustion (Co/CO2) quality of anything. Which IMO is far more important that looking around for air vents
The worst bit? Having a old meter replaced with a metric one. F**k me the numbers didn't half spin round faster when the boiler is running on full chat (more decimal places).
I had to convert the numbers back to cubic feet to make sure it was working right. 
Despite this, he never checked the burner pressure of the boiler....maybe because the risk of fecking it up after removing the cover is too great? Nor did he check the combustion (Co/CO2) quality of anything. Which IMO is far more important that looking around for air vents
The worst bit? Having a old meter replaced with a metric one. F**k me the numbers didn't half spin round faster when the boiler is running on full chat (more decimal places).
I had to convert the numbers back to cubic feet to make sure it was working right.
Last edited by ALi-B; 23 June 2013 at 01:53 PM.
23 June 2013, 09:23 PM
#29
anyway, back on topic. don't let them swap your meter, it'll cost you more than you pay now. rubbing *****
23 June 2013, 09:31 PM
#30
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