Replacing gas meters: at whose expense

The installation of a gas meter can significantly reduce the cost of paying for gas consumption: prices for this energy carrier are constantly growing, and general consumption rates are unreasonably high. In the installation of a gas meter in the apartment, which helps prevent unauthorized consumption of a valuable resource, the state is also interested, as evidenced by the relevant resolution government. In this regard, residents of apartments using gas are interested in the rules for installing a gas meter: the law has the right to install the device and at whose expense the procedure for its initial installation and replacements? We will consider these and other questions in as much detail as possible.

Is it mandatory to install a gas meter in the apartment?

In 2009, a law was passed on energy conservation and energy efficiency, prescribing up to 2015, all owners of gasified apartments to install meters used natural gas. Toward the end of the mandatory installation period, conscious citizens became so excited that some stores ran out of counters and people recorded in it’s the turn to receive the long-awaited device during the next delivery, and the companies involved in their installation began to request fabulous words for this service amount.

However, on January 1, 2015, a new resolution entered into force amending Federal Law No. 261-FZ. According to an updated article of the law, the installation of meters is not mandatory if the volume of gas consumption does not exceed 2 m³ / hour. What follows from this? Since any gas stove, due to its technical characteristics, is simply unable to consume more of this the specified maximum, in apartments, of all gas appliances equipped only with stoves, you can not counters set. But the owners of housing in which gas water heaters and heating boilers are installed still have to install metering devices without fail.

Who should install the meter and can it be done on its own?

The answer to these questions is unequivocal: only an authorized company with a special license can install a gas meter.

You cannot install a gas meter yourself!

Theoretically, you can install or replace the device yourself, but in this case the gas service will not allow you to enter the device into operation, which means that your efforts will be in vain, not to mention the fact that you can independently mount gas-related devices dangerous.

Who should pay for installing or replacing a gas meter?

Many homeowners are trying to figure out at whose expense the installation or replacement of the meter is done. Unfortunately, all the costs of the initial or reinstallation of these devices are solely on the shoulders of the apartment owners. If you decide to install a gas meter, you will have to pay:

• purchase of the counter itself;
• all work on installing the device.

The cost of installing the device depends on:

• the number of connected devices;
• pipeline lengths for meter output;
• the need for welding.

If only a gas stove is connected, the amount for installation will be from 3 to 4 thousand. rubles. If you connect an additional gas column or other device, the installation cost will be twice as much.

Which is better - verification or replacement?

If you already have a meter installed, but the verification period or the expiration date has come to an end, you will also pay on your own verification measures or replacing the device with a new one, including sealing, which is often carried out free of charge only at the primary installation.

As for the verification of the device, apartment owners who have passed this procedure consider it inconvenient and inappropriate for the following reasons:

1. You will have to pay both for the verification itself, and for the dismantling and subsequent installation of the meter, for sealing.
2. Delivery of the device to the laboratory, which carries out verification, is also carried out by the owner.
3. If the device fails verification, you will still have to give money for it, and then pay for its replacement.
4. During verification, the timing of which varies within 3 weeks, the owner of the apartment will be forced to pay for gas at an average rate.

From the foregoing it follows that it is more profitable, simpler and faster to complete the verification period by simply replacing the meter with a new one.

Important! When buying a new meter, pay attention to the date of its manufacture and factory calibration, since it is from it that the intertesting period begins. If your device is in stock or in a store, then you will have to go through verification after a short period of time after installation.

The standard calibration interval for different meters is from 5 to 12 years. Naturally, it is more advisable to purchase a device with a longer intertesting period, even if it costs more.

Tip: before buying a meter, it is advisable to contact a gas company to find out if there are any restrictions on the type of devices installed in your area.

Counter selection

Depending on the principle of action, 4 types of devices are distinguished:

• vortex;
• turbine;
• rotational;
• membrane.

For domestic use only the last two types are suitable.

Meters are also classified by the volume of gas consumed in 1 hour:

• the device with the marking G-1,6 is designed for skipping and counting 1.6–2.5 m³ / h;
• G-2.5 is able to pass from 2.5 to 4 m³ / hour;
• G-4 can pass from 4 to 6 cubic meters.

To find out the required throughput of the meter, check the technical specifications of the gas appliances available in your apartment. If you have a regular gas stove, consuming about 1.6 m³ / h, the device with a minimum throughput is enough, the geyser consumes approximately 2.5 m³ / h, therefore, in combination with a stove, it will require a G-2.5 device or even G-4.

Gas can be supplied on the right or on the left, this also needs to be taken into account when choosing a device.

How to install or replace a gas meter?

To install the gas meter in accordance with all the rules, follow the instructions below.

1. Contact the company responsible for the gas supply in your area. The phone number by which you can contact her must be indicated in the monthly payment receipt. In a telephone conversation, you can find out the approximate cost of installation and get answers to other questions that interest you.
2. Write to the regional gas service an application for installation of the device. The following papers must be attached to it: a document confirming the ownership of the apartment or an employment contract, a receipt on timely payment of gas for the last month, a copy of the meter’s passport, a document stating the date of its last verification. In addition, you will indicate the type of meter and serial number, the readings of the device at the time of installation, the date of future verification, the installation location, the desired date of commissioning. Do not forget to include your contact number.
3. Within 3 days, you must be contacted by a company specialist, who must specify the date of the visit of the master. If you applied in person, you can discuss this immediately.
4. During the visit, the master must make the necessary measurements, determine the quality of the gas pipeline, and calculate the technical capabilities of the installation of the device.
5. After the installation of the meter is completed, you will receive the certificate of completion and a settlement document, then pay the bill for the installation work.
6. To seal the device, you must call a specialist from the management company. The seal application must include passport details and your contact phone number.
7. Only after the seals are placed on the meter, it will be considered put into operation, and you can take readings from it.

Rules for installing gas meters

Gas meters are installed in accordance with the following rules:

• The distance between the meter and the floor should be at least 120 cm.
• The distance of the device from any gas device should be at least 80 cm. In this case, the metering device for consumed gas should be located away from the stove, and not above it.
• The meter can be connected by welding or with rubber sleeves, which should not fall into the heating zone of the gas appliance.
• The device can be installed both vertically and horizontally.
• One of the main criteria for choosing an installation location is the convenience of taking readings, maintenance and repair.

You yourself can decide where to place the meter, the main thing is that the place you choose meets the requirements. If there is such an opportunity, place it closer to the entrance to the apartment for the convenience of checking the readings by the controllers.

Meter operation

After the meter has been installed and sealed, you will have to take readings every month and provide data to the management company. The gas supplying organization has the right to control the accuracy of the transfer of meter readings by the owner of the apartment.

Tip: be prepared for the fact that controllers from the gas service will visit you about once every six months.

If, during the verification, the specialists have doubts about the reliability of the information, an expert examination may be appointed. If as a result of it violations are detected on your part, you will have to pay all the procedures for dismantling, inspection and installation.

The gas meter must be serviced by the company that installed the meter.