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strategic_goose
Rank 1
December 18, 2023
Solved

Getting a gas smart meter installed- Is access needed to the electric meter/cellular hub?

  • December 18, 2023
  • 41 replies
  • 5935 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.

41 replies

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Rank 2
costeek
Rank 2
February 25, 2025

Does this mean he didn’t exchange the gas meter?

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)

Firedog
Super User
FiredogSuper User
Super User
February 26, 2025

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?

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. |
Firedog
Super User
FiredogSuper User
Super User
February 26, 2025

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.

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 26, 2025

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.

S
Rank 1
Sylvie
Rank 1
April 28, 2026

Will I be able to have a gas meter installed if I change supplier to OVO from SO energy?  SO energy are not installing gas meters at the moment. I maybe on the waiting list for 6 months or more and I need to get my investment property back on to a gas supply. 

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
April 28, 2026

Hi ​@Sylvie ,

AFAIK the answer to that is yes. You’ll need to switch over the Electric first if there’s currently no Gas supply, which you can do via https://switch.ovoenergy.com and once that’s set up, you can put a request in via OVO Support to enable a Gas supply and have a meter installed.

If there’s a registered gas supply already, you may be able to switch both at once but if not do Electric first and go from there.

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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Rank 1
Sylvie
Rank 1
April 28, 2026

Blastoise186.

Thank you, I will phone ovo in the morning.

Chris_OVO
Community Manager
Chris_OVO
Community Manager
April 29, 2026

Hey ​@Sylvie,

 

Has all the pipework and additional work been completed, or is the property currently set up for gas before arranging for a meter installation? Additionally, it's important to know the gas pressure for the property. Will you be living in the property, or will you be renting it out? 

 

I've included a link below with more information on our engineers' prices. When you call to arrange this, they will confirm everything with you.

 

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Newcomer
MAli890
Newcomer
August 13, 2026

Hi all recently moved into my new home. OVO supply the gas and electric. I have already have my energy account set up. My issue is I'm interested in a smart meter installation which I already have booked for the 10th of September. The gas meter is in the living room and easily accessible. But the electricity meter is in the kitchen surrounded by some units (access might be a issue not enough room) can I just have the gas smart meter installed or do I need to cancel and reschedule my appointment 

Firedog
Super User
FiredogSuper User
Super User
August 13, 2026

The normal procedure would be to exchange both meters at the same time. Unless the gas meter is faulty, there’s not much point in exchanging it for a smart one - gas meters can normally only operate smartly if the electricity meter is also smart. If you think there might be a problem with squeezing the electricity meter in, let’s see some photos of your current arrangements. If space is a problem, it would help to include a size reference in the photos - a ruler or tape measure, or even just a beer can or cigarette packet!

 

When one or other of the regulars in this forums asks for photos of 'the meter', what we really need is, ideally,

  1. A close-up of the meter itself (with the display lit up by touching a button if necessary) clear enough to be able to read the display and all the markings on the meter itself. If it's a smart multi-rate meter (e.g. configured for Economy 7), give the precise time the photo was taken;
  2. A view of the whole backboard or meter box so we can see the main supply cable coming in from outside, and all the cables to and from the meter itself, along with any other equipment mounted there;
  3. If it’s not clear from the previous photo, if possible a close-up of any meter exchange label - the card left by the engineer giving the numbers and readings of both the old and new meters (assuming he did leave one, as he’s supposed to do);
  4. A view of each consumer unit (fuse box) with the lid propped open, clear enough to be able to read any labels the electrician may have left to say which breaker is which.
      

This will usually be enough, but there may be a need for more photos in specific cases, like of an RTS unit somewhere else or of time controls for space- or water heaters.

 

NB: The meter itself should have its serial number (MSN) printed on the front of it; nowadays, the MSN always starts with the year of original certification often followed by a letter or two and more numbers, but older meters' MSN may have a different format. This number can be used by anyone who knows how to reveal not only who the supplier is, but also the address where it's installed. You may want to obscure it before posting a photo of the meter itself.

 

 

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. |
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