Are you thinking about getting a new gas meter fitted? Unsure of the costs or even what size meter you need?
Well, this article will help answer those questions for you.
You’ve come to the right place, because here at Niccolo, we understand you’re busy. No one wants to put up with the shocking customer service from the ‘Big 6’ energy companies.
We can give you free advice on all things related to getting a new gas meter connection. If you need some simple advice from one of our experts, without all the jargon and stress, give us a call and we’d be happy to help.
So, let’s dive right in and talk about new gas meters.
What Size Gas Meter Does My Business Need?
Gas meters are slightly different to electricity meters. Most electricity meters will cover the majority of customers’ power consumption needs.
With gas meters, there are various brands, sizes and models of gas meters that are specifically designed for the different maximum usage that customers require.
But how do you decide what meter is needed for your business?
Firstly, we need to look into the two main factors which will determine the size of your meter. They are:
- You need to measure the pressure that is in the gas mains, this can be low or medium.
- The peak demand of gas that is needed at any given time. This can also be known as the maximum capacity or gas load. It is measured in kilowatts, cubic metres/feet per hour, and can sometimes Therms or BTUs (British Thermal Units).
In the UK, the majority of sites will have low or medium pressure. For businesses that require a new gas connection, or have recently a new gas connection installed, you will be able to find the mains pressure in the quote paperwork from your works provider.
However, if you aren’t certain about this, or if the pipe was laid a while back, Niccolo can help. We would arrange a check for you. Get in touch and we would be happy to assist.
How Do I Calculate What Size Gas Meter My Business Needs?
When it comes to calculating what size gas meter you need, we need to start with two factors. Often, you may need to organise an appointment with a Gas Safe engineer in your area as they will be able to help you with this.
So, how do you calculate what size gas meter you need?
- Distance from gas meter to appliances – Firstly, you need to find the distance from the gas meter to your appliances. This may give you a clear idea of whether or not you need a larger meter, as the gas pressure will drop as the distance increases.
- Type and quantity of appliances – Next, you’ll need to calculate the type of appliances you have, as well as the number of them. When calculating the total demand for your property, we need to measure all gas equipment to make sure we get an accurate reading. We need to check the pipe and meter will be sufficient for your gas needs.
Average Commercial Gas Calculations
Let’s get started on the average calculations for commercial gas. For buildings that are commercial or non-domestic, normally, they’ll use a lot more gas. Small offices and shops will have almost the same gas load requirements as the average house when just heating and hot water are used.
For takeaway restaurants or fast food outlets, you may see an increase. On average, these establishments will use between 70 kW and 150 kW, with restaurants using similar amounts of gas.
Nursing homes and schools may use more than 1000 kilowatts and when it comes to large scale factories and businesses, you can see up to many thousands of kilowatts extra being required. When it comes to commercial gas, you won’t find two sites that are the same.
For your specific business, it is vital to check that your meter and gas pipe connection can supply the volume of gas that your individual business requires. These figures above are guidelines, so remember to calculate your needs, otherwise, you could find the costs racking up to replace your meter.
Examples Of New Gas Meter Cost Estimates Based On Your Commercial Property Type
Below, we’ve listed some examples of commercial property types that may give you an idea of what price you’ll be looking at paying for a new gas meter. It is worth stating that these prices are rough estimates.
The team at Niccolo are happy to help answer any questions you may have regarding a new gas meter. Get in touch with one of the experts on our team and we can assist you with all thing’s gas related.
| Property Type | Meter Type | Prices From |
| Small Shop or Commercial Property | U6 | £176 |
| Takeaways and Small Industrial Units | U16 | £300 |
| Small/Medium Restaurants | U25 | £440 |
| Large Restaurants, Hotels and Large Industrial Units | U40 and Above | £650 |
When it comes to buying a new commercial gas meter, the prices can again vary depending on what your business needs, as well as the size of your premises. Below, we’ve listed some prices that may help guide you towards the type of meter you need.
| Meter Type | Meter Type | Size | Average Price |
| G6 | U10 | 25mm | £230 |
| G10 | U16 | 30mm | £400 |
| G16 | U25 | 40mm | £520 |
| G25 | U40 | 50mm | £780 |
What Types Of Commercial Gas Meters Are There?
Firstly, there are standard gas meters. They are described as being off the shelf and readily available to purchase. They are always low pressure and can deliver roughly a maximum load of 1680 kilowatts (kW).
Standard gas meters are manufactured by various brands and companies, so they will vary slightly from company to company. Here at Niccolo, we can talk through the meters that we can help with, or just answer any questions you may have about standard gas meters.
There are also non-standard gas meters. For commercial properties that require a non-standard gas meter, they will have a larger service pressure. This will typically be medium, intermediate, or high service pressure. A non-standard meter is necessary for businesses that have a gas load that exceeds around 1680 kilowatts (kW).
When it comes to non-standard meters, they’ll often take longer to install due to them being custom and designed from scratch. This is in comparison to the standard meters which can be bought off the shelf.
How Long Does It Take To Fit A New Gas Meter?
For the full guide to time estimates to fitting a new gas meter, you can check out this link (insert a link to my article on gas meters)
On average, for a new gas meter installation, you’ll be looking at the entire fitting taking no more than 30 minutes. This is the average time, with more complex meter installation rigs or larger sites taking a lot longer than this time.
To keep the time scale down, ensure that there will be no obstructions when the engineer arrives to decrease the likelihood of delays. The team at Niccolo are here to help answer all your questions regarding gas meter installations. We can give you some ideas of estimated time frames for your specific property.