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.
I hope our community members’ advice has been helpful.
You can look into having the gas meter moved first, but it doesn’t sound like it’s necessary, at least not in terms of the technology that would be installed. If the engineers have an issue with connectivity when they come to install, they’ll let you know, but it sounds like it should be okay. Personally, I’m in a poor signal area, but have yet to have a problem with my smart meters so even if coverage is poor it doesn’t mean it won’t work.
As out members mentioned, any meter exchange would replace the existing meter and relocating a meter requires separate work to be carried out. You can find more about this on these helpful topics below:
Hope this helps.
Hi
It’s a housing association property so it’s not in my gift to have the current gas meter moved. I just wanted a replacement meter inside to save me having to go out and get a meter reading. I think I’ll just leave things as they are for now.
As well as smart meters themselves improving, the Alt Han Company is working on add-on technology inovations and improvements to get smart meter HAN (Home Area Network) connecting as intended, even where it couldn’t previously.
I just wanted a replacement meter inside to save me having to go out and get a meter reading. I think I’ll just leave things as they are for now.
That’s a very good reason for getting smart meters, which you’ll have to do sooner or later anyway. There are procedures which the meter engineer has to go through, including fitting equipment to make sure the gas meter can connect to the electricity meter. Have you got as far as asking for a meter exchange?
I just wanted a replacement meter inside to save me having to go out and get a meter reading. I think I’ll just leave things as they are for now.
That’s a very good reason for getting smart meters, which you’ll have to do sooner or later anyway. There are procedures which the meter engineer has to go through, including fitting equipment to make sure the gas meter can connect to the electricity meter. Have you got as far as asking for a meter exchange?
Not sure what you mean by ‘asking for a meter exchange’? I don’t particularly want to move over to any smart meters until I’m forced to.
He didn’t exchange the gas meter. He checked both, connected new IHD (I didn’t have it) and explained about the gas meter. But it was over a year ago. (As he didn’t need to change my electricity meter, I assume it was already SMETS2)
He didn’t exchange the gas meter. He checked both, connected new IHD (I didn’t have it) and explained about the gas meter. But it was over a year ago.
OK. Time to book a gas meter exchange, then. When you do, explain the situation so the engineer will have an idea what kit to bring with him when he comes. Be prepared for both meters to be exchanged - it’s often easier to get the system working if they start from a clean slate.
Not sure what you mean by ‘asking for a meter exchange’? I don’t particularly want to move over to any smart meters until I’m forced to.
If you ask for a replacement meter, it will be a smart one. There aren’t any others. Why don’t you want one if it solves your problem?
Hi
It’s not urgent. I was hoping to be just get a gas smart meter but apparently that isn’t possible. It’s only an issue in the winter - I’ll reconsider come the Autumn.
