Issues with commercial gas meter in domestic property

[rick_x]

We moved into our house in October and the boiler needs replacing. We got quotes but were informed by the gas engineers that we have a commercial gas meter and this needs to be changed in order for them to do the work and to get the boiler guarantee. We contacted our energy supplier who have been less than helpful and sent out 2 sets of engineers to change it to a domestic one and on both occasions weren't qualified to do so and just left without doing anything. I spoke to EDF again and now they say our gas consumption is estimated to be 60kW and that after 64kW a domestic meter wouldn't handle the capacity. We have a 5 bed house and no gas appliances apart from the central heating. A gas fire is present but not in use and needs replacing. They are now saying we need to consider whether changing the meter is the right thing to do but equally no engineers are happy to install a new system boiler and unvented cylinder on this supply. If anyone could give some advice and clarity it'd be much appreciated, thanks.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Can you take a pic of the gas meter ?

 

[Last Plumber]

We moved into our house in October and the boiler needs replacing. We got quotes but were informed by the gas engineers that we have a commercial gas meter and this needs to be changed in order for them to do the work and to get the boiler guarantee. We contacted our energy supplier who have been less than helpful and sent out 2 sets of engineers to change it to a domestic one and on both occasions weren't qualified to do so and just left without doing anything. I spoke to EDF again and now they say our gas consumption is estimated to be 60kW and that after 64kW a domestic meter wouldn't handle the capacity. We have a 5 bed house and no gas appliances apart from the central heating. A gas fire is present but not in use and needs replacing. They are now saying we need to consider whether changing the meter is the right thing to do but equally no engineers are happy to install a new system boiler and unvented cylinder on this supply. If anyone could give some advice and clarity it'd be much appreciated, thanks.

To work on a commercial installation you do need the right qualifications. Either have the meter changed for a 6 or 16 cubic meter one or ask an Engineer with commercial qualifications to do the work.
Some Engineers are qualified for both so it shouldn't be an issue.

I do have to ask, why is there a commercial meter in your property?
What size is it? (the meter).

 

[rick_x]

It's a 5 bed house but not a mansion certainly (5th is tiny)! I have no idea why it was installed in the first place, it was here when we moved in back in October. We have 17 radiators and a the boiler has been on the blink over the last few months so we're desperate to get it replaced with a new heating system but am now worried that getting it switched to domestic would cause even more problems.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Looks like a imperial u16 so under domestic scope

 

[Last Plumber]

That is a U16 meter.

It falls within domestic scope of IGE/UP1B.

As long as the whole installation volume including that meter is less than 0.035 M3, the installation pipework is under 35mm and the outlet pressure is 21 mbar or less, a domestic Engineer can work on it.

 

[rick_x]

Thanks, so what would be the issue with boiler guarantees then? Doesn't seem to make sense but a few of them mentioned it.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

My guess they haven’t seen a meter that big and just assumed it’s commercial

 

[rick_x]

My guess they haven’t seen a meter that big and just assumed it’s commercial

That's a bit worrying when it comes to confidence in their knowledge!

 

[Last Plumber]

Thanks, so what would be the issue with boiler guarantees then? Doesn't seem to make sense but a few of them mentioned it.

There is no issue at all.
Maybe as Shaun said, they haven't seen one before?
Begs the question eh?