As is the case with electric meters, new gas meter installs depend on whether or not your property is connected to the mains or not. If not, your first step to having a new connection and a gas meter installed is to contact your local gas transporter to get your domestic or commercial property connected.
Remember, these companies are only responsible for the gas piping connecting your building to the main energy and gas supply, – they will not act as your gas supplier.
Once your property is connected – or if you’re looking for a new gas meter to be installed into a pre-connected building – you now have to find a business gas supplier.
This can be your existing supplier or, if you are due to renew your contract or are looking for a supplier for the first time, you can use a business energy comparison site such as Utility Bidder to help you choose.
Once you’ve signed up, your new electricity and gas supply company will set up the installation at your property. This allows them to monitor your gas usage and bill you accordingly.
Does your business need a new gas meter?
There are a few reasons to get a new gas meter:
- If you move to a new place without a gas supply.
- During property renovations when you need to relocate the meter for new fixtures.
- When your current meter is faulty or has served its certified lifespan (typically 10-40 years), it’s advisable to replace it, even if it still works.
Who can install a gas meter?
Usually, it is the responsibility of your gas supplier to send a correctly qualified Gas Safe-registered gas and heating engineer to complete your commercial gas meter installation. This important accreditation ensures the engineer is properly trained and experienced and will install your meter safely and efficiently.
They will also inspect the meter once installed, along with new connections in connection with your pipework and any heating appliances, to help ensure they all comply with current legislation.
How Long Does It Take To Install a Commercial Gas Meter?
Typically, the installation of a new business energy meter takes anywhere from five days to two weeks. However, if you require an additional meter to be installed, the process might extend to as long as 12 weeks due to potential additional work required on your property.
Therefore, we strongly advise initiating the procedure for arranging the installation of a new business gas or electricity meter as early as possible. Additionally, for safety considerations, always ensure the use of fully accredited commercial gas installers.
If your business operates across multiple sites or if you have multiple meters at your premises, please refer to our comprehensive guide on multi-site meters and multi-site energy management.
To determine the appropriate type of business energy meter you require or to explore better energy deals, don’t hesitate to reach out to our energy experts.
How much will a new gas meter installation cost?
Business energy prices are customized to match your business’s specific requirements. The selection of the appropriate meter is also influenced by your gas consumption.
Consequently, the installation expenses will vary based on your meter requirements and the supplier you opt for.
How do I read my gas meter?
Reading your meter correctly requires a similar process to reading your electric meter, and mostly depends on the type of meter you have. If you are reading a digital meter, simply note down the numbers displayed on the LCD screen or mileage-ticker. Read from left to right, include any zeros and ignore all digits after the decimal point.
Alternatively, if you have an analogue meter, simply read the dials from left to right, again making sure you include any zeros. As with analogue electricity meters, if any pointer is in between two figures, simply note down the lower of the two numbers.
The gas load is different for each customer, Nevertheless, the highest demand for gas in a typical household is 20 kilowatts (kW). That varies, however, if a house has more rooms and radiators.
Small businesses can have requirements like domestic customers. Commercial buildings, on the other hand, typically use much more gas. Medium-sized businesses often use between 70kW and 150kW, and the biggest ones 1000kW or even more.
Diaphragm meters are the most used.- Almost all residential and small business customers use them. Diaphragm meters come in 7 sizes:
Meter Type |
Flow Rate kW |
Capacity (SCMH) Standard m3 |
Capacity (SCFH)
Standard cf |
U6 |
0-65 |
6 |
212 |
U16 |
66-173 |
16 |
565 |
U25 |
174-271 |
25 |
883 |
U40 |
272-430 |
40 |
1412 |
U65 |
430-704 |
65 |
2296 |
U100 |
705-1083 |
100 |
3511 |
U160 |
1084-1733 |
160 |
5650 |