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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
  • 5874 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

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louise515
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February 24, 2025

Ok. Well I’m not in a high-rise - I’m in the top floor! A couple of floors ‘doable’? Does that equate to guaranteed? Does all the above still apply just the same in Scotland?

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
February 24, 2025

For Alt-HAN? Piece of cake. It has absolutely massive ranges when installed correctly.

As this is the HAN side and relates to the local signal between the devices in/near your property, it works everywhere, Scotland included.

With that in mind… A Dual-Band Comms Hub will probably also work. If it does, that’s generally slightly easier to deploy and tends to be the preferred option.

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louise515
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February 24, 2025

Ok, thanks.

Abby_OVO
Community Manager
Abby_OVO
Community Manager
February 25, 2025

Hey ​@louise515 

 

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.

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costeek
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February 25, 2025

Hi, reading the answers, I’m a bit surprised. I have a similar issue—my gas meter is installed outside the building, on the ground floor, and my electricity meter is inside, on the first floor. Physically, they are not that far away, but there could be a couple of walls between them. The engineer told me they were too far away, and there will be a connection issue. Could it be that the engineer in my case was wrong? Or has the technology improved, maybe?
(Cannot complain about the engineer, though. During his visit I got accidentally locked out – my housing association was useless, it was he who assisted me while I was sorting this out).

    L
    Rank 2
    louise515
    Rank 2
    February 25, 2025

    Hey ​@louise515 

     

    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.

    Thanks anyway

      Firedog
      Super User
      FiredogSuper User
      Super User
      February 25, 2025

      The engineer told me they were too far away, and there will be a connection issue.
       

      Does this mean he didn’t exchange the gas meter? Or that he did, but it won’t connect to the HAN? 

      Was the electricity meter already a SMETS2 meter when he came, or did he install one then?

      Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
        Nukecad
        Super User
        NukecadSuper User
        Super User
        February 25, 2025

        Or has the technology improved, maybe?

        Most likely that.

        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.
         

        Have a read of what they are doing: https://althanco.com/

         

        I said, Hey - Watts going on.
          Firedog
          Super User
          FiredogSuper User
          Super User
          February 25, 2025

          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? 

          Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
          L
          Rank 2
          louise515
          Rank 2
          February 25, 2025

          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.

           

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