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Crownjoolz
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October 6, 2019
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My gas supply is capped - Who's responsible for the meter?

  • October 6, 2019
  • 52 replies
  • 24837 views
My local area had its gas supply upgraded by northern gas from old pipes to new and when they did this they ran new gas pipes up to every property and capped them. If you used gas they attached your meter and everything was uncapped and back to normal.
We do not use any gas in our property so our supply is capped outside our property to an empty white box.
we still have the meter we always had inside the property but its not connected to a supply or any appliances (ie cooker, heating) it just sits there doing nothing.
i spoke to someone at Ovo and they wanted £80 to remove it even though it’s not connected to any supply, so we left it in as the standing charge is about the same.
We are at the end of our contract with OVO now and we will save money if we change supplier.
My questions are....do I still have to pay for both gas and electric with the new supplier?
Who does the redundant meter belong to when we do change?
Best answer by Eva_OVO

Updated on 28/04/26 by Abby_OVO

 

Great question to ask about switching suppliers with a capped gas supply. Just for a bit of background info here’s a bit of a breakdown on who’s responsible for what in terms of your gas setup.

 

 

Can I switch with a capped supply?

 

You’re free to switch suppliers, even if your supply is capped. It’s worth bearing in mind that your new supplier will continue applying standing charges and take over responsibility for the maintenance of your meter. If you decide to get the meter removed after a switch your new supplier will be able to arrange this and the cost for this job may vary from supplier to supplier.

 

What is a 'capped meter'?


A capped meter refers to a gas supply that has been cut-off by inserting some sort of physical block into the ECV (Emergency Cutout Valve) or pipework leading to the meter. This doesn’t refer to a disconnection or dead supply. A capped supply can be uncapped, if safe to do so, by a gas safe engineer.

 

Can I remove a gas supply?


Even if your gas transporter has capped your supply, you’d still be listed as having an gas supply on the national database and as you’ve found are liable to continue paying a standing charge. In order to get the supply de-activated so you can stop paying this standing charge, you’ll need to contact our Support Team to schedule in a meter removal. As a non-essential maintenance job there is a charge for this however we charge these jobs at cost price and once removed you’ll no longer need to worry about the continued gas standing charges.

 

52 replies

Eva_OVO
OVO Staff
Eva_OVOSolved
OVO Staff
October 11, 2019

Updated on 28/04/26 by Abby_OVO

 

Great question to ask about switching suppliers with a capped gas supply. Just for a bit of background info here’s a bit of a breakdown on who’s responsible for what in terms of your gas setup.

 

 

Can I switch with a capped supply?

 

You’re free to switch suppliers, even if your supply is capped. It’s worth bearing in mind that your new supplier will continue applying standing charges and take over responsibility for the maintenance of your meter. If you decide to get the meter removed after a switch your new supplier will be able to arrange this and the cost for this job may vary from supplier to supplier.

 

What is a 'capped meter'?


A capped meter refers to a gas supply that has been cut-off by inserting some sort of physical block into the ECV (Emergency Cutout Valve) or pipework leading to the meter. This doesn’t refer to a disconnection or dead supply. A capped supply can be uncapped, if safe to do so, by a gas safe engineer.

 

Can I remove a gas supply?


Even if your gas transporter has capped your supply, you’d still be listed as having an gas supply on the national database and as you’ve found are liable to continue paying a standing charge. In order to get the supply de-activated so you can stop paying this standing charge, you’ll need to contact our Support Team to schedule in a meter removal. As a non-essential maintenance job there is a charge for this however we charge these jobs at cost price and once removed you’ll no longer need to worry about the continued gas standing charges.

 

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A
Newcomer
Annija
Newcomer
November 30, 2020

I have just moved in to a property. My gas smart meter was unstalled like 2 days ago but it was capped due to not having electricity to check appliances. I now need it uncapped. Tried calling boost and ovo (connecting straight to boost) they then gave me a number for electricity (network something) they obviously cant deal with gas. So they then sayd to ring my gas supplier which is ovo but boost at the same time. So i cant get in touch with ovo at all. And boost keeps saying they dont deal with appliances.

Im so confused and i dont know what to do

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    November 30, 2020

    Hi there @Annija ,

    Sorry for the delay. I tried to reply sooner, but I had some trouble with the spam filters. You might see my original reply appear later with some more advice.

    *edited by mod as thread combined*

    But in a quick summary, if the supply is capped at:

    • The Emergency Control Valve or anywhere before the meter: Please contact your local Gas Transporter Network.
    • The Gas Meter itself: Please contact your supplier for help
    • Anything beyond the meter, like internal pipework: A local Gas-Safe Register engineer can take a look

    If you’re still confused, I can help you work out where to go. Please take a photo of all your meters and post them in your next reply. We’ll try to help you figure out what to do next

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
      A
      Newcomer
      Annija
      Newcomer
      November 30, 2020

      I finally got through to Ovo energy but been in hold for about an hour now unfortunately. But fingers crossed 🤞 

      Thank you for your reply

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        November 30, 2020

        You’re welcome. :)

        If you still need more help, definitely feel free to come back here and we’ll get you sorted. While the forums are volunteer led, we’re always happy to do what we can.

        Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
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          Newcomer
          Framee83
          Newcomer
          May 6, 2021

          Hi

          My gas meter has been capped in the last 24hrs for no apparant reason, ovo is my energy supplier, yet I receive statements from boost. Who is liable for reversing this issue, as no one wants to take responsibility and have had a gas meter reading man sent out - joke!! Ovo have been very helpful and passed us through to Boost but they have no interest in trying to help us and I was advised to 'Google a local gas safety engineer' 

          Jess_OVO
          OVO Staff
          Jess_OVO
          OVO Staff
          May 6, 2021

          Hi @Framee83,

           

          I’ve moved your question to a similar topic as the best answer above gives a really great breakdown of who’s responsible for each part of your gas meter. If the gas was capped due to an an issue with a gas appliance in your home, this will need to be fixed by a gas safe engineer.

           

          And it sounds like you’re a Boost customer. Boost are the prepayment sister company of OVO so will be the best ones to speak to about your account, reach out to the Boost team here.

           

          Hope this helps.

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            Newcomer
            Framee83
            Newcomer
            May 6, 2021

            Thanks Jess!!

            It was capped for no reason, no notification or communication regarding it, and Boost have been most unhelpful, we have spent since 8am being passed from pillar to post each advising us to contact our energy supplier, they eventually took action and sent someone out - to read the gas meter!!! 24 hrs without heating or hot water its rather frustrating and we can't get any answers!!

            Jess_OVO
            OVO Staff
            Jess_OVO
            OVO Staff
            May 6, 2021

            Sorry to hear this, @Framee83. Never like to hear of people off supply and sounds like you’re still in the dark as to why the gas supply was capped.

             

            A gas safe engineer will be able to check your appliances (often a faulty appliance will be the reason why a supply is capped) and turn the gas back on when everything is fixed - you can find a local engineer here.

             

            If the issue is with your gas meter you would need to speak to Boost to get this resolved, find their contact details here.

             

            Hope you get this sorted soon.

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            Newcomer
            Framee83
            Newcomer
            May 6, 2021

            Thank you, all sorted but only due to a gas engineer who is a friend!! No faults with appliances and no recorded faults with the gas supply so still at a loss as to why our pipe was capped!!

             

            Elaine

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