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strategic_goose
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December 18, 2023
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Getting a gas smart meter installed- Is access needed to the electric meter/cellular hub?

  • December 18, 2023
  • 38 replies
  • 5873 views

A relative has had a smart electricity meter installed at their property. They’re now looking to get the gas one changed too. They’re wondering if access to the electricity meter (likely the cellular hub) is needed when a smart gas meter is installed?

The electricity meter is inside, under the stairs, while the gas meter is about 3m away, mounted on an external wall outside. 

As the electricity meter is under the stairs, and they use that space for storage (nothing flammable or likely to catch fire if anything were to happen!), it is an absolute faff to empty that area.

If access is needed to scan the barcodes on the cellular hub, such as the CHF or GPF ID, will a picture of the meter suffice? There is a little viewing window in the wooden panelling so the meter can be seen and numbers verified, but impossible the barcode be read by a scanner at that distance. 
 

They’re not with OVO (I am, however) so thought I’d ask here. Their gas is with British Gas, and electric is with EDF (they’re not interested in switching - no matter how much convincing I’ve tried) 

Best answer by Emmanuelle_OVO

Updated on 11/03/25 by Abby_OVO

Hey @strategic_goose,

 

Unfortunately it’s not a clear cut answer, but here’s advice from one of the experts:

 

It depends. So the dependency is on the signal to the gas meter from the location of the electricity meter where the Communication Hub is situated.

 

The fact you have different suppliers adds complexity but doesn't affect it all being possible. It also depends on the process the installer follows.. they WILL need the details of the ​​​Comms Hub Function in the Gas meter (it's a code on the Communication Hub needed to join to the Gas meter) to set up the Gas meter and get it joined but may not need to scan those locally.. some do, some don't... the key deciding factor is if the gas cannot connect and a Dual Band Communication Hub is needed.

 

That will require a process known as ‘Trust Centre Swap Out’ to replace the single band Communication Hub and replace it... so the Gas meter can connect and work... to 'punch' a signal through the wall... having both fuels with the same supplier is easier but not explicitly required as it's designed to work with separate suppliers.

38 replies

BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
December 18, 2023

Hi @strategic_goose , it might depend on the engineer at the time. The information needed is already logged against the property but some engineers prefer to double check by having access as you describe. 
If it were me, I’d make sure there was access, just in case

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Jeffus
Rank 20
Jeffus
Rank 20
December 18, 2023

Hi @strategic_goose 

I assume the electricity consumer unit will be accessible so the engineer can turn off the electricity supply? Is this also blocked in?

I agree, best to make sure everything is accessible.

Although in many cases it works fine to have separate suppliers for gas and electricity for smart meters, there are customers who have struggled with IHD , but obviously your relative doesn't want to switch.

Emmanuelle_OVO
Retired Moderator
Emmanuelle_OVO
Retired Moderator
December 18, 2023

Hey @strategic_goose,

 

Good question- I’ll ask one of our smart meter experts and report back. 😊

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
Emmanuelle_OVO
Retired Moderator
Emmanuelle_OVOSolved
Retired Moderator
December 18, 2023

Updated on 11/03/25 by Abby_OVO

Hey @strategic_goose,

 

Unfortunately it’s not a clear cut answer, but here’s advice from one of the experts:

 

It depends. So the dependency is on the signal to the gas meter from the location of the electricity meter where the Communication Hub is situated.

 

The fact you have different suppliers adds complexity but doesn't affect it all being possible. It also depends on the process the installer follows.. they WILL need the details of the ​​​Comms Hub Function in the Gas meter (it's a code on the Communication Hub needed to join to the Gas meter) to set up the Gas meter and get it joined but may not need to scan those locally.. some do, some don't... the key deciding factor is if the gas cannot connect and a Dual Band Communication Hub is needed.

 

That will require a process known as ‘Trust Centre Swap Out’ to replace the single band Communication Hub and replace it... so the Gas meter can connect and work... to 'punch' a signal through the wall... having both fuels with the same supplier is easier but not explicitly required as it's designed to work with separate suppliers.

Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
    S
    Rank 1
    strategic_gooseAuthor
    Rank 1
    December 18, 2023

    Hey @strategic_goose,

     

    Unfortunately it’s not a clear cut answer, but here’s advice from one of the experts:

     

    It depends. So the dependency is on the signal to the gas meter from the location of the electricity meter where the Communication Hub is situated.

     

    The fact you have different suppliers adds complexity but doesn't affect it all being possible. It also depends on the process the installer follows.. they WILL need the details of the ​​​Comms Hub Function in the Gas meter (it's a code on the Communication Hub needed to join to the Gas meter) to set up the Gas meter and get it joined but may not need to scan those locally.. some do, some don't... the key deciding factor is if the gas cannot connect and a Dual Band Communication Hub is needed.

     

     That will require a process known as ‘Trust Centre Swap Out’ to replace the single band Communication Hub and replace it... so the Gas meter can connect and work... to 'punch' a signal through the wall... having both fuels with the same supplier is easier but not explicitly required as it's designed to work with separate suppliers.


    Thank you (and thank you to those who have responded) - that’s super interesting about needing a comms hub switch to punch through the external wall. Looks like I’ll have another day of removing stuff out from under the stairs and banging my head.
     

    Given that the meter (and hub) were installed a few days ago, could it be the case a dual band variant had already installed? Or are single band ones routinely being installed and dual band where needed? No matter if not, this is just purely for my curiosity. 

    The comms hub is a Toshiba SKU1 with UKCA marking so it must have been manufactured after 1 Jan 2023. If I take their IHD outside to where the gas meter is, I get a reading of -69dBm, though I’m not sure if the gas meter would use the same transmit method/frequency as comms hub to IHD. 

      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      December 19, 2023

      Hey @strategic_goose,

       

      I’d imagine a dual band comms hub would only be installed if the gas can’t connect. But the only way to check this for sure would be by speaking to the installer or smart metering team.

       

      This topic has some information about Toshiba SKU1 Cellular Comms Hub:

       

       

      Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
      L
      Rank 2
      louise515
      Rank 2
      February 24, 2025

      Can anyone enlighten me regarding what is involved in fitting a gas smart meter? Does it replace an existing old-type gas meter or is it additional to the original? How does it work if my existing gas meter is outside on the ground and I am in a 2nd floor flat?

      Also, can I have just a gas smart meter but not an electric one?

       

      Thanks

      Louise

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      February 24, 2025

      Hi ​@louise515 ,

      It’s ALWAYS to replace the existing gas meter, never alongside it. Old one comes out, new one goes in.

      There are solutions such as Dual-Band Comms Hubs and Alt-HAN that will make your gas meter work even at long distances.

      Both meters will be done at the same time - you can’t opt-out of doing electric while still doing gas.

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        L
        Rank 2
        louise515
        Rank 2
        February 24, 2025

        Hi ​@louise515 ,

        It’s ALWAYS to replace the existing gas meter, never alongside it. Old one comes out, new one goes in.

        There are solutions such as Dual-Band Comms Hubs and Alt-HAN that will make your gas meter work even at long distances.

        Both meters will be done at the same time - you can’t opt-out of doing electric while still doing gas.

        Where is the smart gas meter installed if the original one is outside?

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        February 24, 2025

        It’ll go in the same place outside

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