It’s horrible being without gas central heating and hot water, especially during the colder months.
Whether you’ve recently moved house and had to install a meter, or your gas isn’t connected because of recent renovations, the good news is that it should be easy enough to fix.
But who do you call? A Gas Safe registered engineer, of course!
Below, I’m going to talk you through your next steps when it comes to getting your gas connected from the meter to your appliances.
How will my gas be connected?
On many occasions, there has to be a new supply from the meter to the boiler position rather than simply connecting up an older pipe – but you’ll know more once you’ve called a heating engineer, who will be able to take a good look. Most modern boilers require a 22mm gas pipe from the meter to the boiler, this is why old 15mm gas supply pipes have to be upgraded.
If you’re struggling to find one, a good resource to use if the Gas Safe Register website – all you have to do is type in your postcode and the type of work you require, and you’ll be presented with a list of suitable local installers.
Once an engineer has taken a look at the property, they should be able to give you a fixed price quote – just like you would when getting a new boiler. At this point, ask them how the pipe will be routed and fitted, and how much upheaval there will be.
TIP: If you find it is going to entail a lot of work, and you are fitting a pipe all the way from the meter to your boiler, you may wish to consider getting a supply installed for a cooker or fire to be used at a later date.
Be prepared for complications
Sometimes there can be a new meter installed and an old pipe disconnected in the same cupboard. My advice here is not to take it for granted that this existing pipe can be used (although very occasionally, it can be that simple).
There’s a good change the pipe in question may be undersized, or simply not conform to current codes of practice. If this is the case, take advice from your Gas Safe Registered engineer – there will be a way to connect your gas, but it will likely involve a bit more work.
In the past, I have had customers who thought the boiler could be connected to an old gas pipe in the kitchen. The pipe passed through a wall to a pipe which was lead at the meter cupboard, so it seemed (to them) like a straightforward job.
Unfortunately, when we got there we could not connect to the lead connections as it was not up to the standard of current codes of practice. It’s also worth bearing in mind that gas pipes cannot be concealed in plaster work or walls. So, a new pipe had to be fitted that was 12 metres to the boiler from the meter.
Conclusion
If you’re stuck without gas central heating for whatever reason, don’t worry – there will be a way to get your gas connected to the meter. A Gas Safe registered engineer should be able to do this for you, and you can find one by going online and searching the Gas Safe Register.
A lot of the time, a new supply from the meter to the boiler position will have to be run, rather than simply connecting up an older pipe – although you can’t be sure until a heating engineer has been able to take a look at it. Remember new gas boilers require a minimum of 22mm gas supply pipe from the meter to boiler position.
Just remember, it’s not always as simple as it looks, so don’t be surprised if that ominous-looking pipe in the cupboard isn’t suitable for connecting up to your boiler.
Always ask for a fixed price quote, as well as how the pipe will be routed and fitted, and how much upheaval there will be. Sometimes, it may be worth getting a supply installed for a cooker or fire while all this work is going on.
