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.

 

[John.g]

Just read the full thread and the requirement is for 2 x 30 kw boilers, so to be on the safe side assume boiler efficiencies of 85% the requirement is 60/0.9 or 67 kw net, assuming "wet gas" loss of 10% then requirement is for 67/0.9 or 75 kw gross. Don't know what the average gross CV of UK gas is but (I don't have gas) the last bill I saw (here) showed 11 kwh/M3 so meter requirement is, 75/11 or 6.8M3.
There is probably a published regional gas gross CV for the UK?.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Kw/h divided by 10.65 gives you m3/h

 

[John.g]

Probably OK so? if overall boiler efficiency is 85% (gross) then requirement is 6.6 M3.

 

[Specialdog]

That Imperial meter is badged as 565 cuft/hr.
That's 15.999 cu mtr /hr so under 16 as above posts.

When you contact engineers for quotes mention the meter is an Imperial U16, save them wasting yours and their time coming out to refuse to touch it.
And as above also test their knowledge and confidence.



It's be interesting to hear of a Smart Meter fitters reaction to the meter.

Smart meter fitter here. I knew from the first post it would be a imperial u16 lp meter. That's a walk away for me personally, too big for my spanner ;D.

Very surprised that the op's gas engineer wouldnt know that or be able to provide a new boiler for the op. Definitely get some more quotes and avoid the first lot.

Funny how people think they only have tiny 5 bed houses with 17! rads. I very much only find those meters in big houses. When I roll up on mansions like that my first thought is usually U16/3phase!