At our Quaker meeting house, we recently decided to take a step towards helping the environment by replacing our gas boiler with an air source heat pump. To facilitate this change, we reached out to our gas supplier, Crown Gas & Power, to terminate our gas supply. To our surprise, they informed us that we would still need to pay a standing charge of 99p per day until the meter was removed.
However, the real shock came when we were charged £486 for the meter’s removal. When we questioned this fee, we were told it was standard and had no choice but to pay it; otherwise, we’d continue to incur the daily charge.
For a qualified gas engineer, disconnecting the supply and capping it off is a straightforward task. In fact, it took just one technician less than an hour to complete the job. This led us to believe that the fee imposed was excessive. The Energy Networks Association noted that some companies offer this service for free. Is there a way to challenge this?
JJ, writing in from Bristol, shared a thought that resonates well: “No good deed goes unpunished.” Ideally, removing a gas meter should be a free and uncomplicated process; however, it seems that’s not the reality. Richard Lowes from the Regulatory Assistance Project, who specializes in clean energy policy, confirms that the regulations for non-residential supplies differ from residential ones, and it’s up to the supplier to set their charges. “Octopus Energy stands out for not charging for domestic gas meter removals, and others should take note, especially with the growing trend in heat pump installations,” he said.
Crown Gas & Power defended its fee, claiming it aligns with the national average and redirected us to the Citizens Advice website, which states removal costs can range from £400 to over £1,000, depending on the required work. Regarding the standing charge, they explained that maintaining and managing the meters incurs costs, regardless of whether gas is used.
It seems clear to me that the energy regulator, Ofgem, needs to address this ambiguous situation. In the meantime, for homeowners looking to switch to a heat pump in the future, it’s wise to seek out a supplier who will remove your old meter at no extra cost.
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