Unlike the traditional meters, these connect to your supplier directly to submit regular gas smart meter readings. Understanding credit meters. To take a reading, write down the five black numbers ordered from left to right. As the gas is effectively piped straight into the property to be used, the meter is the only point of reference that a given energy company has to judge how much gas has been used and how much they should bill for, so by supplying them with a reading, this will ensure that you are billed only for what you have used. Gas meters may all look globally alike, but the inside mechanisms can be different. Here are some facts about how gas is measured, as well as how it impacts your bottom line. It's your energy usage tracked and displayed, as it happens, in pounds and pence. How you read your meter will very much depend on what type of meter you have: If you have a smart meter in your home or have had any experience with smart meters you should be familiar with usage requirements. Smart meters are a new type of gas and electricity meter which provide up-to-date and accurate information on how much energy you use. Numbered dials on the front of a digital gas meter showing meter reading. All rights reserved. The digital or older imperial gas meter is arguably the most common type of gas meter found in UK homes and in terms of reading is pretty straightforward. If your meter already measures usage volume in cubic meters, you can skip the above and move straight on to step 3 below. Meter displays are available in either digital or analogue. Multiply your figure from step 1 by 2.83 to convert your reading to cubic meters. It could be right for you if you're out during the day for most of the week. Reading Gas Meters – How to Take a Meter Reading From Metric, Imperial and Dial Gas Meters and Calculate Gas Bills, General Building, Self Build and Renovation, Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety, Let us help you find a tradesman local to you, To find out more about gas safety, see our project here, Gas (Calculation of Thermal Energy) Regulations (SI 1996/439), information on Gas Safety and Gas Safe engineers can be found in our project here, 15 Questions to Avoid Rogue Heating Engineers – Avoiding Cowboy Builders, Building Regulations Approved Document J – Safety for Heat Producing Appliances, Combustion Appliances and Safe Storage of Fuel, Gas Safety – Gas Installation and Maintenance Including Home Improvement Work for Homeowners and Landlords, How to Fit a Gas Hob – Fitting a Gas Hob into a Kitchen Worktop, Read each dial from left to right, ignoring any dials in red, the large dial and also any that are marked up as “100 per rev”, If the dial hand/pointer is resting between two numbers, always go with the lower number, If the hand/pointer rests between 0 and 9, always go with 9, After noting down your meter reading, if any of the numbers are stated as 9 you will need to take 1 away from the dial immediately to the left, Pay attention to the way in which the numbers run around the face of the dial, some will run clockwise others counter-clockwise. The first thing to do is establish exactly what type of meter you have. To do this, multiply the figure you arrived at above by 1.02264 (this figure is stated in the regulations linked to above, just in case you wondering how we arrived at it). By its very nature, gas expands and contracts due to temperature and pressure changes so these also have to be accounted for. Subtract the figure of your previous meter reading from your most recent one to give you the volume of gas that you have used between the two billing periods. Some suppliers will have dedicated websites or apps to plug in your numbers, while others will offer a phone line for just this purpose. Let us help you find a tradesman local to you. As briefly touched on above, gas usage is generally measured in either cubic meters (m3) or cubic feet (ft3) depending on the type of meter that is measuring the usage. Use the filter below to search by region availability, utility type, communication network and more. So, whether you need a turbine, rotary, diaphragm, or prepayment gas meter, a solenoid valve, gas regulator or gas ancillary, we have the right solution for all your gas … As with dial-display electric meters, dial display gas meters are often seen as a little more complex than their standard gas meter counterparts. Another option is to take a photo with your smartphone and upload it automatically by email or mobile app. As with the standard mechanical version, to take your gas meter reading you’ll need to record the first five figures ordered from left to right. The gas holders can store up to two million cubic feet of gas – enough to supply 2,400 homes for a full day – but are no longer needed due to developments in gas pipe technology. A laminar flow element converts turbulent flow into laminar flow by separating it into an array of thin, parallel channels. The meters come with a single or two-rate reading, similar to that of Economy 7 meters. There might be red numbers listed as well, but these aren’t relevant to the reading. They replace SMETS1 meters – the UK’s first industry-standard type of smart meter, which energy suppliers have been installing since 2013. To find out more about gas safety, see our project here. As you can physically view the gas that’s being used in your home at any given time, this it a fantastic way of seeing what appliances are the worst offenders for gas use and allow you to reduce their use, which is much kinder on the environment and better on your pocket! Sage Metering manufactures thermal mass flow meters, and our posts traditionally consider applications for our meters. If your meter only has 4 numbers to the left of any numbers in red then your meter is an older imperial-type meter. As a result, the UK is divided into 13 different local distribution zones, with your bill based on your particular zone’s daily CV during the latest billing period. © 2019 SaveOnEnergy and its licensors. Premium utility meter Manufacturers for the commercial & Domestic sectors. For billing purposes, gas companies use an average height of 67.5m above sea level. If the supplier sends someone out to test your meter and finds it to be faulty, it can be fixed or replaced. Here are the main types of gas meters and their functionning: Diaphragm meters: these meters are the most widespread in the US. In a velocity meter type, the rate of the medium passing through the meter determines the … Contact Meters UK for more information 01524 555 929. We carry all gas meter models and sizes IN STOCK! The government is in the process of rolling out smart meters across the nation, offering households an easier way to measure gas and electricity readings. These differ in terms of how they display your usage information. However, a set of numbers will be clearly displayed no matter the type. As you’re paying upfront then the need to supply regular readings for billing is not needed. One of the most common gas meter types is the prepayment meter. Don't fancy doing this project yourself? Read the figures from left to right; Ignore any red numbers Just choose the type of meter you have - imperial meters show readings in ft³ while metric meters show readings in m³ - and input the figure in the box. By taking a gas meter reading on a quarterly basis and submitting it to the supplier, you’ll avoid both underpayments and overpayments. Evening and weekend meters This meter type is only used in some parts of the UK. Gas expands with heat, meaning readings will be different depending on the temperature. As gas is pulled from the mains supply, the meter measures the volume that is drawn in cubic meters (³) or cubic feet and records and displays the usage via a set of dials on the front of the meter or as a read out on a screen if you have a smart meter. Any changes such as new firmware destined for the gas meter are transferred to the "Gas Mirror" first and then sent to the gas meter … For smaller amounts, it may be a good idea to pay off the excess in one go, before searching for a better rate or adjusting your Direct Debit payments. For example, if a gas meter is located in a garage adjoining the property and the garage is changed to a bedroom, the meter itself may still be in there. A metric gas meter will also feature a decimal point to the right of the main numbers that states the part units that have been used. The digital or older imperial gas meter is arguably the most common type of gas meter found in UK homes and in terms of reading is pretty straightforward. However, you’ll need to ignore any red dials, dials without figures, or dials without hands. In the event that you do not supply regular readings, your energy supplier will generally send around their own or contracted third party meter reader to take readings for the supplier. As we know the volume of the pump, we can now calculate the amount of gas that is consumed. Dial meters are a little bit trickier to read, with their clock-like interface. If, however, you have a prepayment energy meter then you have to pay for both your gas and electricity upfront by purchasing credits. Government figures show: On average, 24% of the gas meters tested every year since 2006 (21,243 meters tested in total) were faulty Velocity. We work with the industries best to ensure that we recommend only reliable and trustworthy tradesmen. They are also provided with spare parts like hinges, lock and key. This is particularly important if you’ve made any strides towards saving energy in the home, as these lifestyle changes won’t be reflected in estimated rates. Prepayment gas meters include designs with digital or standard displays, but what they have in common is that you’ll need to pay for your gas in advance. In this DIY guide you will learn how to read a gas meter to provide your energy supplier with a reading or use your reading to calculate your own gas bill. It’s not uncommon for the gas reading to be slightly more or less than your estimated amounts, but what should you do if there are wider fluctuations? For some models, you can simply press a display button to show the most current reading. Give us a call if you need help deciding which gas meter is best for your application. The charging device is then inserted into the front of the meter. We are the #1 source for gas meters! To convert from hundreds of cubic feet to cubic meters, the conversion factor is; 100 cubic feet = 2.83 cubic meters. It’s a good idea to learn a little bit more about how the gas meter works, as well as how to record and submit current readings, especially if you're on a gas-only tariff. Diaphragm meter: This type of meter is one of the most commonly used, not only in the UK but also in the US. You’ll be alerted to any unusual trends in your energy use, which could be due to a fault in the meter. Under UK law, gas meters must report within a 2% accuracy rate. To take a gas meter reading from a prepayment meter, you’ll need to look at the display window. It works by allowing gas to pass through a pump. Compare your calculated cost to the one on your bill, do they match? Next Day delivery ! Although their main function might be the same, there are a few gas meter types to be aware of. Our registered address is The Cooperage, 5 Copper Row, London, SE1 2LH. As with the case of smart electric meters, smart gas meters allow you to view your gas usage in real time as the various gas appliances in your home use it. Check with your supplier to find out the easiest way to record and submit gas readings. The first is to check your most recent bill. Gas meters approved under UK law must be within 2% accurate and electricity meters within +2.5% and -3.5% accurate. Readings are shown as numbers, either in dial or digital form, depending upon the age of your meter. Our range is extensive. The pump is then connected to a counter that tallies how many times the pump contracts and expands. In the list above you may have noticed that we have mentioned the legislative regulations that govern the conversion factors used when calculating thermal energy, the “Gas (Calculation of Thermal Energy) Regulations (SI 1996/439).”. Domestic and commercial gas meters, BES have a long history of supplying specialised products to the gas industry including gas meters. Similarly to electric meters, there can be quite a few different types of gas meter and the particular meter that is used for a given property will very much depend on its age. The most common type of meter features a straightforward mechanical display. Note: Gas is extremely dangerous so care must be taken when working around any gas appliances or supply pipes. Credit (standard) meters are the most common type of meter in the UK. Gas is measured with calculations called the calorific value (CV), which simply means heating value. There may also be access to emergency credit to prevent you from running out of gas overnight. The meter itself measures how much gas is used by the property so the gas supplier can bill for the usage accordingly. Our meter range is suitable for domestic and industrial applications including diaphragm, rotary, turbine, thermal mass flow and electronic gas meters. Grab your copy now for all the DIY help you need right at your finger tips! This type of meter box is designed in such a way that it is to be installed against an outer wall of a building while also being partially concealed in the ground. You’ll need to top up a card or key to do this. To take a dial gas meter reading, you’ll need to read the dial numbers from left to right. Our comprehensive ranges of Gas Meters include Diaphragm, Turbine and Rotary Meters from Honeywell, Dresser and Coster. Different gas meters. Types of gas meters There are five main types of gas meters: standard meters, dial meters, digital meters, smart meters and prepayment meters. This isn’t always ideal as depending on your past usage history (if you have any), the estimate could be wildly over or under what you have actually used, which in either case, isn’t ideal. If not, contact your gas supply company to discuss any discrepancies. Gas meters also display a unique identification number called a Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN). As specialist gas meter suppliers we stock a wide range of domestic gas meters, commercial gas meters and gas meter parts and accessories. A semi-concealed meter box must be installed in an area where it won’t cause any obstructions such as people tripping over it, vehicular damage, etc. In terms of the actual display itself, the standard meter utilizes dials that rotate to display a number as gas is drawn through the meter. If you’re eligible to have a smart meter installed, your energy company will contact you. If your meter has 5 numbers to the left of a decimal point or space then you have a newer-style metric meter. Advantages. When taking a reading, make a note of the numbers in the order they appear, ignoring any digits in red. A gas meter is installed when mains gas is supplied to a domestic or commercial property. According to Ofgem , in August 2020, the cheapest prepaid tariff, at £982, was almost £100 more expensive than the cheapest standard credit tariff (£883). This is usually located right on the front of the meter, showing you the units of energy consumed, the rate per unit of fuel, the amount of credit inserted, and any outstanding debt. Prepayment gas meters include designs with digital or standard displays, but what they have in common is that you’ll need to pay for your gas in advance. In the meantime, you can contact your supplier to find out when this technology will be available in your area. After you’ve recorded your meter readings depending on the types mentioned above, there are a few things you can do with them. One point to note is that over the years, some home owners that have had meters changed have has issues with billing after the meter change has been carried out. Imperial gas meters commonly come in dial form, while metric meters are almost always digital. If you have just purchased the property then the estate agent or previous owner should be able to guide you in the right direction. Type of the property (Hotel, Take Away, Restaurant, Office etc) and type and numbers of the item which will use gas. Keep in mind that although the testing is free, some suppliers will charge for the cost of replacement. GAS METER SIZE CALCULATION. If you have an older style imperial meter and your reading are in cubic feet then you will need to convert to cubic meters before going any further. We have a complete range of products including water meters, gas meters, electricity meters and more that help you build intelligence into every point of your infrastructure. Prepayment meters: A prepayment meter is basically a pay-as-you-go meter for gas and electricity, so you pay for your energy in advance. Always include any “zero” values at the beginning. This can be slightly confusing if you want to ever want to compare what your meter is telling you that you have used to what you have actually been billed for. For dial meters, it is often easier to take a photo and submit it to your energy supplier for their interpretation. Once you have your total usage figure in cubic meters, the next job is to multiply this figure by the gases calorific value. Sometimes the needle will appear between two figures, in which case you should write down the number the dial has just passed. The calorific value of gas is a gauge of the heat energy that’s contained within it. A supply pipe is then taken from the meter into the property where it is then connected to any appliances that require gas to run. Upgrade to a smart meter. Thankfully, these issues are now few and far between, but to be on the safe side, always take a photo of the reading on the old meter before it’s removed so that you have evidence of the reading just in case any issues arise. However, your gas meter gives the most accurate insight into your day-to-day use. Old type imperial gas meter measuring gas usage in cubic feet, Dials displaying meter reading on the front of a digital gas meter. You’ll need to submit this to both the old and new suppliers to adjust your bills and pay off any old debts. Advantages of Drum-type Meters in General. Smart meters are an exciting new type of energy meter that could help you save time, energy and money. From dial to digital (unless it’s a smart meter which automatically sends its readings to your supplier), you must write down these numbers along with the date and time they were taken and submit this information to your energy supplier. If you are in rented accommodation then your tenancy agreement should state it’s whereabouts. Generally, the older-type imperial gas meters measure in cubic feet and the newer digital metric meters measure usage in cubic meters. Credit meters are the most common types of household gas meter. You will also find out about the different types of gas meters that include metric digital, imperial, dial meters and the newer smart meters and how to correctly take a reading from each type. Our gas conversion tool will then convert the gas units to kwh and give you an exact figure, so you can make sure you’re being charged correctly for what you use and the readings you have. If this is the case then they will contact you with date and time of when they have either one of their own or contracted Gas Safe (information on Gas Safety and Gas Safe engineers can be found in our project here) engineers in your area to undertake the work. This is why I have reviewed Coriolis meters, diaphragm meters, rotary meters, and ultrasonic meters, and here I discuss turbine flowmeters. If you’re not familiar with these types of meter then on first glance they can appear very confusing to read, but once you’ve got your head around how they work and what each dial is displaying, they’re fairly simple. There are a number of gas meter types on the market, all of which vary slightly in their basic design. As with electric meters, gas meters are normally located either outside the property somewhere near to the front door or on the inside. So, to avoid any undercharging or overcharging issues, it’s important that you update your supplier with regular, accurate readings. Although your meter measures usage in cubic meters or feet, if you have a look at your suppliers bill, you may notice that you’re actually billed in kWh. Past gas meter reading found on previous gas bill. In terms of the main different types of gas meter, they are as follows: These types of meter are arguably the most common types of gas meter, found in hundreds of thousands of home across the country. Smart gas meters are designed with electronic displays, showing you the real-time units of energy consumed and your rate per unit of fuel. With most modern houses, the gas meter is normally located in a meter cupboard or box just outside the front door, but in some older houses, the gas meter could be in numerous locations. Smart meters. The direct measurement of volume is the major advantage and the superiority of volumetric gas meters (like drum-type gas meters) over other measurement principles, which determine gas volume using secondary measurable variables such as speed, heat capacity, hot-wire resistance or similar.That means that the condition and the composition … It’s also worth noting that the bill calculation method used by your given supplier may differ very slightly but the outcome should be pretty much the same. Equipping yourself with this information also makes it easier to get a better rate when you switch suppliers, since you’ll have the most up-to-date data for comparison. In general, reading a gas meter is very similar to reading an electric meter, but as we have discussed above, as opposed to being in kWh, the usage is stated as cubic meters or cubic feet (M³ or ft³), although it’s later stated as kWh on your bill. Problem was, if you changed supplier, many of these types of meters stopped sending automatic readings. Standard meter types might also use a digital rather than mechanical display. Due to these very slight differences, the read out dials on each type of meter present the usage information slightly differently in that the metric meter displays part units as decimals and the imperial meter displays them in red and slightly separated from the full units used. The exception would be if you have a smart meter, which automatically submits gas smart meter readings on your behalf. What is a smart meter? The first port of call should be your online account or most recent bill. If you utilise gas power in your home, it’s essential that you understand how to read your meter. If you don’t have a smart meter then one of the big bonus’s of having one is that you don’t need to submit any readings as the meter iself does that for you by feeding live updates directly to your supplier. Failing this, your next port of call should be your landlord or letting agent. In some cases if your meter is particularly old you energy supply company may choose to renew it. What many people don’t know is that this isn’t a fixed rate. … Laminar differential pressure-based flow meters use the pressure drop created within a laminar flow element to measure the mass flow rate of a fluid. Older dial-type gas meter – Image courtesy of thegreenage.co.uk. A supply pipe is run from the main supply pipe up to the property where it is then connected to the meter. Our GRP gas meter boxes are all compliant with the British Standard 8499 : 2009. If after looking you are still unable to locate your gas meter there is still a few things you can do. Another option is to use a smartphone app or top up your gas credit online – the best method will depend on your supplier. Here follows a few rules on how to read a dial gas meter: If you follow the simple rules above then reading a dial meter is as easy as reading any other type of meter. Single rate supplier with regular, accurate readings more information 01524 555 929 displays are available in your energy,... Your bill, follow the steps below run counter-clockwise they match meter range is suitable domestic... Rights Reserved used for this given billing period smartcard, key fob or token with credit, can..., you ’ ll get more gas for your money at sea level need right at your ’! Across the channel is measured, as it happens, in pounds and pence types on the of... 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