Hello - I would appreciate your help on the question of whether I need a 2nd gas meter.
At present I have a U6 meter serving a WB combi 28kw, a gas hob 8kw (downstairs) and a 49 yr old Glow-worm boiler (14kw) (upstairs).
The Glow-worm boiler has finally packed up and has been disconnected as it has started leaking gas.
I am replacing this with a Vaillant combi 35kw.
As I understand it this now totals 71kw which exceeds the U6 meter capacity so an upgrade to U16 is planned.
I suspect the supply to the meter to be adequate (as I had an informal chat to one of the installers when they were putting in meters for the road
a couple of years ago) - I have also booked a Cadent (London) survey to check.
So, assuming the supply to the meter is adequate for a U16, my questions are:
1. The (max) figs for U6 are 64 kW and the flow rate is labelled as 6m3/hr although he has measured it currently as lower (I forget the number), what are the numbers for a U16?
ie. Will the U16's flow rate or volume output be sufficient for the two combi's and the hob? (I suspect the kW is OK).
2. My gas boiler installer says no and I will have to have a second gas meter to cope with the volume of gas required.
He has done various calculations using pipe lengths, elbows, T's into account. I think he is allowing for 20m of 28mm copper pipe
from meter to both boilers in both locations, (although about 8 of this is 22mm), plus various amounts for elbows and T's. What are the calculations involved and is he right?
3. The installer says that my only alternative if I want to only use one meter is to fit a commercial meter, is he right? (I am worried that he is leaning to the commercial side with his calculations - he has done a lot of commercial work)
I would really like your input and a 2nd/3rd opinion as both these alternatives are worrying me.
A commercial meter is out of the question - I am a pensioner on a basic state pension - and it is only for domestic use.
I really want to avoid a 2nd meter as the running costs (2nd meter standing charges) would be a constant expense for which I would have to make big sacrifices, my supplier is currently to get back to me with an installation cost, (which I'm sure will not be cheap).
My supplier also says that to change the U6 to a U16 will be free and the standing charge would stay the same irrespective of meter.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
At present I have a U6 meter serving a WB combi 28kw, a gas hob 8kw (downstairs) and a 49 yr old Glow-worm boiler (14kw) (upstairs).
The Glow-worm boiler has finally packed up and has been disconnected as it has started leaking gas.
I am replacing this with a Vaillant combi 35kw.
As I understand it this now totals 71kw which exceeds the U6 meter capacity so an upgrade to U16 is planned.
I suspect the supply to the meter to be adequate (as I had an informal chat to one of the installers when they were putting in meters for the road
a couple of years ago) - I have also booked a Cadent (London) survey to check.
So, assuming the supply to the meter is adequate for a U16, my questions are:
1. The (max) figs for U6 are 64 kW and the flow rate is labelled as 6m3/hr although he has measured it currently as lower (I forget the number), what are the numbers for a U16?
ie. Will the U16's flow rate or volume output be sufficient for the two combi's and the hob? (I suspect the kW is OK).
2. My gas boiler installer says no and I will have to have a second gas meter to cope with the volume of gas required.
He has done various calculations using pipe lengths, elbows, T's into account. I think he is allowing for 20m of 28mm copper pipe
from meter to both boilers in both locations, (although about 8 of this is 22mm), plus various amounts for elbows and T's. What are the calculations involved and is he right?
3. The installer says that my only alternative if I want to only use one meter is to fit a commercial meter, is he right? (I am worried that he is leaning to the commercial side with his calculations - he has done a lot of commercial work)
I would really like your input and a 2nd/3rd opinion as both these alternatives are worrying me.
A commercial meter is out of the question - I am a pensioner on a basic state pension - and it is only for domestic use.
I really want to avoid a 2nd meter as the running costs (2nd meter standing charges) would be a constant expense for which I would have to make big sacrifices, my supplier is currently to get back to me with an installation cost, (which I'm sure will not be cheap).
My supplier also says that to change the U6 to a U16 will be free and the standing charge would stay the same irrespective of meter.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.