Business gas meter installation

The first thing you’ll need to do, is find out what your unique gas supply number is – known as the MPRN (meter point reference number). The MPRN can be found on a recent bill, but if you’ve just moved into a new premises and don’t have one, the Meter point administration service should be able to help – you can call them on #CAMPAIGNBUSINESSSERVICENUMBER#. You’ll then need to decide on the type of meter and tariff that would suit your business best. If you’re not sure about what you need, then a quick chat with one of our friendly advisors on #CAMPAIGNBUSINESSSERVICENUMBER# will put you on the right track as well as ensure you keep your new gas meter installation costs to a minimum. Some of the main types of meter include:

• Standard meters only use one payment rate so you’ll pay the same price for your gas no matter what the time of day – ideal if your business is open during traditional office hours.
• Evening and weekend meters use two different rates – a cheaper rate for evenings and weekends and a pricier ‘day rate’. These are good if your business is busiest over the weekend or at night – for instance, bars, clubs and pubs.
• Smart meters are great if you want to stick to a budget or actively look for ways to cut down on your energy consumption as they monitor what you use.

Smart meters are free to install thanks to a government rollout scheme but if you’re looking for any other type of meter then you’ll probably be expected to pay for installation but in most cases, you’ll be able to negotiate a price along with your tariff. When it comes to arranging a new gas meter installation, just bear in mind that you or a staff member may need to be onsite when the engineer calls, or they might not be able to carry out the work.

If you’re moving to a brand-new site with no existing gas connection then you can organise one in just a few simple steps:

1. Contact your ‘distribution network operator’ (DNO) who is responsible for operating and maintaining gas pipes – you can find out who yours is from the [Energy networks association](https://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/who-is-my-network-operator.html) Your DNO will work out how much it’ll cost to set up a new supply based on your location and what your needs are.
2. Work out what your maximum gas requirements are – this sounds more complicated than it really is and it simply describes the amount of gas your equipment could use in an hour or year. Gas requirements can be measured in kWh (kilowatt hours), BTU (British thermal units), or cubic metres or feet.
   In most cases a CORGI registered engineer will be able to tell you what your needs are (as can the National grid). If you wanted to work it out yourself then add up the maximum gas loads of each piece of equipment you have (your appliance handbooks should tell you this). The good news is that unless your business uses vast amounts of gas, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever exceed the maximums put in place.
3. Find out the service pressure of your supply – most business gas supplies are classed as low or medium pressure, but you can also get intermediate or high-pressure supplies. The supply itself doesn’t affect the price but higher pressures usually mean a more expensive meter. The National grid will be able to tell you what supply you have – call them on #CAMPAIGNBUSINESSSERVICENUMBER#.
4. Choose a suitable supplier and meter – knowing what your gas needs are means you can choose the most suitable meter and tariff, and compare what’s on offer – which is where we come in. Our advisors are on hand to guide you through your options and can even help you negotiate costs when it comes to installation charges – call us on 0800 188 4930 to see how we can help.

When it comes to connecting your supply, you’ll need to ensure you’re available as some gas pipes feed into buildings in which case your meter will need to be installed inside. Some properties have gas pipes that stop outside which means you’ll need an external meter – if this is the case then your gas supplier or DNO will need to ensure it’s housed safely.

Commercial energy is tailored to your business’ needs so gas meter installation cost comes down to the meter, tariff and supplier you choose. When it comes to gas meter installation, it usually takes between two to three weeks but it can take up to 12 if you’re putting one in for the first time or if you’re fitting a new connection. We’d always advise starting the process as early as possible to avoid delays to your business.

At uSwitchforBusiness, we understand just how important it is to get value for money and to keep costs down when it comes to your new commercial gas meter installation.

Calling us on #CAMPAIGNBUSINESSSERVICENUMBER# means we can get the ball rolling and start running a gas comparison for you – we’ll even take care of all the little details like switching provider so that you can carry on with business as usual.

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