• Re: Coming off the gas

    From Andy Burns@21:1/5 to Peter Able on Sun Jun 29 18:44:36 2025
    Peter Able wrote:

    I'm planning to disconnect from the gas network for a while.  My
    supplier, Octopus have told me that the gas meter must be uninstalled -
    and that this will not cost me anything.  Octopus has also said that,
    should I wish to go back on supply with them at a future date, a meter
    will be installed at no cost to me.

    Am I missing something in the way of costs to me?

    I don't think so, from <https://octopus.energy/blog/disconnecting-your-gas-supply>

    "Right now, because we get a fairly small number of these requests,
    we're shouldering these charges and removing the meters free of charge
    for customers. But as it becomes more common, we might need to start
    charging for the removal of gas meters, not just to cover the MAP's
    costs but also to cover the cost for the engineer's time"

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  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to All on Sun Jun 29 18:31:59 2025
    I'm planning to disconnect from the gas network for a while. My
    supplier, Octopus have told me that the gas meter must be uninstalled -
    and that this will not cost me anything. Octopus has also said that,
    should I wish to go back on supply with them at a future date, a meter
    will be installed at no cost to me.

    Am I missing something in the way of costs to me?
    --
    PA
    --

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  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to Andy Burns on Mon Jun 30 01:24:24 2025
    On 29/06/2025 18:44, Andy Burns wrote:
    Peter Able wrote:

    I'm planning to disconnect from the gas network for a while.  My
    supplier, Octopus have told me that the gas meter must be uninstalled
    - and that this will not cost me anything.  Octopus has also said
    that, should I wish to go back on supply with them at a future date, a
    meter will be installed at no cost to me.

    Am I missing something in the way of costs to me?

    I don't think so, from <https://octopus.energy/blog/disconnecting-your-gas-supply>

    "Right now, because we get a fairly small number of these requests,
    we're shouldering these charges and removing the meters free of charge
    for customers.  But as it becomes more common, we might need to start charging for the removal of gas meters, not just to cover the MAP's
    costs but also to cover the cost for the engineer's time"

    Here's some paperwork from Octopus that I had to agree with. My
    impression is that the meter removal is free and that if I restart
    within one year, the refit is also free, errr, I think.

    Gas meter removal

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we
    first need to provide you with some further information so that you can
    make the most informed decision.

    Firstly, please confirm that the following statement is true:

    You are the homeowner or the landlord of the property for the meter
    removal request
    OR
    The homeowner or landlord has been notified of the meter removal request

    Secondly, please confirm that at least one of the following statements
    is true:

    Gas meter is no longer in use and you no longer want to pay standing
    charges.

    Gas supply is no longer required.

    Electric-only technology is used at the property (e.g. An Air source
    heat pump).

    Renovations or home improvements are being undertaken at the property.
    The property is being demolished. Scheduling of the appointment is
    processed by our engineers, if your desired appointment date/time is unavailable, then they will contact you further with other appointment
    options. Once the appointment has been booked, should you need to alter
    o cancel the appointment, please contact us directly at your
    earliest opportunity. If the appointment is cancelled on the day there
    may be a cancellation charge applied to your account.

    For the appointment to go ahead, you need to ensure that the engineer
    has ready access to the property. This includes the facility to park at
    or close to the address. Please advise of any restrictions that are in
    place.

    The engineer will also need access to the meter. Please ensure that
    there is a clear path to and space around the meter or meter box to
    allow the engineer to carry out the work. With the above in mind, we
    would like to set your expectations of how the removal process will work
    on the day of the appointment.

    Our engineers will call you on the day of the appointment, approximately
    30 minutes before they arrive at your property. They will ask you to
    confirm that someone over the age of 18 is present.

    Once on-site, our engineer will begin by capping the incoming gas supply
    and removing the meter, this process usually takes around 1 hour to
    complete so please allow this time when agreeing to your appointment.
    Once complete, the engineer will relay the outcome of the appointment
    back to us and we will update your account to reflect the meter as being removed.

    All of this is done for you free of charge

    At this point, your gas meter has been removed, and your account with
    Octopus updated. The MPRN and Gas Transporter pipework that is
    associated with your address still exist. There is a 12-month period
    starting from the date of the removal in which you can choose to have a
    gas meter reinstalled to the property. If this period expires, the Gas Transporter will contact you directly to facilitate the permanent
    removal of the remaining pipework and termination of the MPRN.

    Should you wish for a gas supply to be reinstated to the property at a
    future date, you will first have to liaise with the Gas Transporter in
    your area to arrange for a new MPRN and pipework to be installed. This
    work is chargeable directly between yourself and the Gas Transporter and
    must be completed before the installation of a new gas meter.
    To confirm that you are happy with all of the above, please inform our
    customer service team at the following:

    E-mail: [email protected]
    Phone: Our phone number is 0333 344 2268 or 0808 164 1088. Our phone
    lines are open Monday to
    Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm and Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.
    Yours sincerely,
    Octopus Energy
    --
    PA
    --

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  • From Andy Burns@21:1/5 to Peter Able on Mon Jun 30 07:39:24 2025
    Peter Able wrote:

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we
    first need to provide you with some further information so that you can
    make the most informed decision.

    If you hade/have gas, presumably you used it for heating, what have you replaced it with? Hopefully you're not having to do it to avoid the
    standing charges and then see how it works out without gas?

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From alan_m@21:1/5 to Peter Able on Mon Jun 30 09:09:37 2025
    On 29/06/2025 18:31, Peter Able wrote:
    I'm planning to disconnect from the gas network for a while.  My
    supplier, Octopus have told me that the gas meter must be uninstalled -
    and that this will not cost me anything.  Octopus has also said that,
    should I wish to go back on supply with them at a future date, a meter
    will be installed at no cost to me.

    Am I missing something in the way of costs to me?


    Possibly not cost but removal and installation in their time scale and
    not yours.

    --
    mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

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  • From Mark Carver@21:1/5 to Peter Able on Mon Jun 30 09:56:13 2025
    On 29/06/2025 18:31, Peter Able wrote:
    I'm planning to disconnect from the gas network for a while.  My
    supplier, Octopus have told me that the gas meter must be uninstalled -
    and that this will not cost me anything.  Octopus has also said that,
    should I wish to go back on supply with them at a future date, a meter
    will be installed at no cost to me.

    Am I missing something in the way of costs to me?

    I had this done 40 years ago (so a quite different era) and they simply
    locked off the Gas Isolation handle on the meter with a seal.

    More recently (2019) I got South East Water to suspend my water account. Nothing physical happened, I just promised to let them know when I was
    going to start using water again. They simply suspended the Standing
    Charges

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  • From alan_m@21:1/5 to Mark Carver on Mon Jun 30 10:01:29 2025
    On 30/06/2025 09:56, Mark Carver wrote:
    On 29/06/2025 18:31, Peter Able wrote:
    I'm planning to disconnect from the gas network for a while.  My
    supplier, Octopus have told me that the gas meter must be uninstalled
    - and that this will not cost me anything.  Octopus has also said
    that, should I wish to go back on supply with them at a future date, a
    meter will be installed at no cost to me.

    Am I missing something in the way of costs to me?

    I had this done 40 years ago (so a quite different era) and they simply locked off the Gas Isolation handle on the meter with a seal.

    More recently (2019) I got South East Water to suspend my water account. Nothing physical happened, I just promised to let them know when I was
    going to start using water again. They simply suspended the Standing
    Charges

    I suppose these days with a smart meter they could just cut you off
    remotely :)

    --
    mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

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  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to Andy Burns on Mon Jun 30 11:12:33 2025
    On 30/06/2025 07:39, Andy Burns wrote:
    Peter Able wrote:

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we
    first need to provide you with some further information so that you
    can make the most informed decision.

    If you hade/have gas, presumably you used it for heating, what have you replaced it with?  Hopefully you're not having to do it to avoid the standing charges and then see how it works out without gas?

    Yes, only for heating - and that for less than 5 months a year.
    Before we had a gas feed and after this disconnection - Oil-filled
    electric heaters and an Electrical Immersion Heater. The difference is
    that with only me in the house, I plan to actively heat only the three
    rooms I live in.

    Might seem a bit OTT just to save £11 a month - but it is just an
    experiment which seems to be, currently, free of charge. (Well, free
    for now: Your Octopus Blog post noted)
    --
    PA
    --

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  • From charles@21:1/5 to Peter Able on Mon Jun 30 10:30:03 2025
    In article <103tnuh$243gl$[email protected]>,
    Peter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 07:39, Andy Burns wrote:
    Peter Able wrote:

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we
    first need to provide you with some further information so that you
    can make the most informed decision.

    If you hade/have gas, presumably you used it for heating, what have you replaced it with? Hopefully you're not having to do it to avoid the standing charges and then see how it works out without gas?

    Yes, only for heating - and that for less than 5 months a year.
    Before we had a gas feed and after this disconnection - Oil-filled
    electric heaters and an Electrical Immersion Heater. The difference is
    that with only me in the house, I plan to actively heat only the three
    rooms I live in.


    Watch out. My brother tried that and found mildew on everything in all the unused rooms.

    Might seem a bit OTT just to save �11 a month - but it is just an
    experiment which seems to be, currently, free of charge. (Well, free
    for now: Your Octopus Blog post noted)
    --

    --
    from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4t�
    "I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

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  • From Theo@21:1/5 to Peter Able on Mon Jun 30 13:01:47 2025
    Peter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 07:39, Andy Burns wrote:
    Peter Able wrote:

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we
    first need to provide you with some further information so that you
    can make the most informed decision.

    If you hade/have gas, presumably you used it for heating, what have you replaced it with?  Hopefully you're not having to do it to avoid the standing charges and then see how it works out without gas?

    Yes, only for heating - and that for less than 5 months a year.
    Before we had a gas feed and after this disconnection - Oil-filled
    electric heaters and an Electrical Immersion Heater. The difference is
    that with only me in the house, I plan to actively heat only the three
    rooms I live in.

    Might seem a bit OTT just to save £11 a month - but it is just an
    experiment which seems to be, currently, free of charge. (Well, free
    for now: Your Octopus Blog post noted)

    There are 'zero standing charge' tariffs coming 'ready for winter 2025/26': https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-release/ofgem-drives-forward-plans-introduce-zero-standing-charge-tariffs

    It might be an idea to hang on and wait for one of those, it looks like
    Utilita is the first one: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/electricity-standing-charge/

    Turn off the gas at the meter and you'll use no gas that day, and so incur
    no standing charge. If it's baltic on one day, you can use the gas but
    you'll pay a higher rate for the first few units - effectively a daily
    standing charge but only when you use gas.

    Requires a smart meter, but if you don't want one of those presumably other tariffs will come along towards the autumn.

    You can then 'virtually' disconnect your gas but still have it there if you need it. If it turns out you don't actually use it over the winter then you can go ahead and get it disconnected.

    If you turn off the gas at the meter, do you need to purge gas lines when turning it back on? You'll have to relight any pilot lights. Depending on
    the age of the boiler it may suffice not to turn off at the meter and just
    to not turn the heating on which means the gas valve at the boiler never
    opens.

    Theo

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  • From Theo@21:1/5 to charles on Mon Jun 30 13:10:41 2025
    charles <[email protected]> wrote:
    In article <103tnuh$243gl$[email protected]>,
    Peter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 07:39, Andy Burns wrote:
    Peter Able wrote:

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we
    first need to provide you with some further information so that you
    can make the most informed decision.

    If you hade/have gas, presumably you used it for heating, what have you replaced it with? Hopefully you're not having to do it to avoid the standing charges and then see how it works out without gas?

    Yes, only for heating - and that for less than 5 months a year.
    Before we had a gas feed and after this disconnection - Oil-filled
    electric heaters and an Electrical Immersion Heater. The difference is that with only me in the house, I plan to actively heat only the three rooms I live in.


    Watch out. My brother tried that and found mildew on everything in all the unused rooms.

    Indeed, it's a recipe for trouble. Either you need heating or ventilation, if you have neither then with moist things in there (like breathing humans)
    then you get damp and then mould.

    Sealing doors to unused rooms and opening windows to turn them into
    ventilated outdoor spaces is an option, but that makes the uninsulated
    internal walls be at outdoor temperature - so inside your living area they
    get condensation and so mould.

    You'd also need to be obsessive about indoor moisture - cooking, showers, laundry. Good extractor fans are a must.

    But if you can keep everything above the dew point you may be ok. Would be
    an interesting experiment to have a heater controlled by humidity sensors (indoor and out). When it's a snowy day the air is dry and you don't need
    much heat, when it's a rainy day it's moist and you do.

    Theo

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to Theo on Mon Jun 30 15:37:22 2025
    On 30/06/2025 13:10, Theo wrote:
    charles <[email protected]> wrote:
    In article <103tnuh$243gl$[email protected]>,
    Peter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 07:39, Andy Burns wrote:
    Peter Able wrote:

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we >>>>> first need to provide you with some further information so that you
    can make the most informed decision.

    If you hade/have gas, presumably you used it for heating, what have you >>>> replaced it with? Hopefully you're not having to do it to avoid the
    standing charges and then see how it works out without gas?

    Yes, only for heating - and that for less than 5 months a year.
    Before we had a gas feed and after this disconnection - Oil-filled
    electric heaters and an Electrical Immersion Heater. The difference is
    that with only me in the house, I plan to actively heat only the three
    rooms I live in.


    Watch out. My brother tried that and found mildew on everything in all the >> unused rooms.

    Indeed, it's a recipe for trouble. Either you need heating or ventilation, if
    you have neither then with moist things in there (like breathing humans)
    then you get damp and then mould.

    Sealing doors to unused rooms and opening windows to turn them into ventilated outdoor spaces is an option, but that makes the uninsulated internal walls be at outdoor temperature - so inside your living area they get condensation and so mould.

    You'd also need to be obsessive about indoor moisture - cooking, showers, laundry. Good extractor fans are a must.

    But if you can keep everything above the dew point you may be ok. Would be an interesting experiment to have a heater controlled by humidity sensors (indoor and out). When it's a snowy day the air is dry and you don't need much heat, when it's a rainy day it's moist and you do.

    Theo

    I'm aware of all these points - and have been testing for the last two
    years. No sign of mildew or of aspergillus in the "passive" rooms. The
    only closed door within the house is the kitchen door - when cooking. I
    do very little "steamy" cooking and the little laundry is double-spun
    then hung either outside or in the conservatory.

    My lifestyle is hardcore ascetic. Bugger all water, gas and electric.
    Two to three wheely-bins-worth of refuse per annum.
    --
    PA
    --

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to Theo on Mon Jun 30 16:05:39 2025
    On 30/06/2025 13:01, Theo wrote:
    Peter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 07:39, Andy Burns wrote:
    Peter Able wrote:

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we
    first need to provide you with some further information so that you
    can make the most informed decision.

    If you hade/have gas, presumably you used it for heating, what have you
    replaced it with?  Hopefully you're not having to do it to avoid the
    standing charges and then see how it works out without gas?

    Yes, only for heating - and that for less than 5 months a year.
    Before we had a gas feed and after this disconnection - Oil-filled
    electric heaters and an Electrical Immersion Heater. The difference is
    that with only me in the house, I plan to actively heat only the three
    rooms I live in.

    Might seem a bit OTT just to save £11 a month - but it is just an
    experiment which seems to be, currently, free of charge. (Well, free
    for now: Your Octopus Blog post noted)

    There are 'zero standing charge' tariffs coming 'ready for winter 2025/26': https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-release/ofgem-drives-forward-plans-introduce-zero-standing-charge-tariffs

    It might be an idea to hang on and wait for one of those, it looks like Utilita is the first one: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/electricity-standing-charge/

    Turn off the gas at the meter and you'll use no gas that day, and so incur
    no standing charge. If it's baltic on one day, you can use the gas but you'll pay a higher rate for the first few units - effectively a daily standing charge but only when you use gas.

    Requires a smart meter, but if you don't want one of those presumably other tariffs will come along towards the autumn.

    You can then 'virtually' disconnect your gas but still have it there if you need it. If it turns out you don't actually use it over the winter then you can go ahead and get it disconnected.

    If you turn off the gas at the meter, do you need to purge gas lines when turning it back on? You'll have to relight any pilot lights. Depending on the age of the boiler it may suffice not to turn off at the meter and just
    to not turn the heating on which means the gas valve at the boiler never opens.

    Theo

    I'm aware of the zero-standing-charge issues - and don't expect them to
    make any sense. The Utilita one has a break-even, compared to Octopus,
    of about 0.3 cubic metre per day. So it is really meant for truly zero
    users, IMHO.

    This house had no gas when we moved in, so is primarily electric. I
    converted the oil CH to gas when gas became available in the street.
    The gas meter is on the outer house wall and the boiler is just the
    other side of the wall, so a purge will not be an issue - and it has an electronic pilot igniter.

    My main concern is that the assurances I have received from Octopus as
    to the costs to me of disconnecting then, maybe, reconnecting will be
    reneged upon.

    --
    PA
    --

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  • From Tim+@21:1/5 to Peter Able on Mon Jun 30 15:41:53 2025
    Peter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 13:10, Theo wrote:
    charles <[email protected]> wrote:
    In article <103tnuh$243gl$[email protected]>,
    Peter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 07:39, Andy Burns wrote:
    Peter Able wrote:

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we >>>>>> first need to provide you with some further information so that you >>>>>> can make the most informed decision.

    If you hade/have gas, presumably you used it for heating, what have you >>>>> replaced it with? Hopefully you're not having to do it to avoid the >>>>> standing charges and then see how it works out without gas?

    Yes, only for heating - and that for less than 5 months a year.
    Before we had a gas feed and after this disconnection - Oil-filled
    electric heaters and an Electrical Immersion Heater. The difference is >>>> that with only me in the house, I plan to actively heat only the three >>>> rooms I live in.


    Watch out. My brother tried that and found mildew on everything in all the >>> unused rooms.

    Indeed, it's a recipe for trouble. Either you need heating or ventilation, if
    you have neither then with moist things in there (like breathing humans)
    then you get damp and then mould.

    Sealing doors to unused rooms and opening windows to turn them into
    ventilated outdoor spaces is an option, but that makes the uninsulated
    internal walls be at outdoor temperature - so inside your living area they >> get condensation and so mould.

    You'd also need to be obsessive about indoor moisture - cooking, showers,
    laundry. Good extractor fans are a must.

    But if you can keep everything above the dew point you may be ok. Would be >> an interesting experiment to have a heater controlled by humidity sensors
    (indoor and out). When it's a snowy day the air is dry and you don't need >> much heat, when it's a rainy day it's moist and you do.

    Theo

    I'm aware of all these points - and have been testing for the last two
    years. No sign of mildew or of aspergillus in the "passive" rooms. The
    only closed door within the house is the kitchen door - when cooking. I
    do very little "steamy" cooking and the little laundry is double-spun
    then hung either outside or in the conservatory.

    My lifestyle is hardcore ascetic. Bugger all water, gas and electric.
    Two to three wheely-bins-worth of refuse per annum.

    Now that’s impressive! So bloody hard to avoid excess plastic packaging etc these days. Mind you, even if I eschewed all superfluous packaging, my
    bottle bin would still need emptying monthly. ;-)

    Tim

    --
    Please don't feed the trolls

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From Andrew@21:1/5 to Peter Able on Mon Jun 30 18:03:49 2025
    On 29/06/2025 18:31, Peter Able wrote:
    I'm planning to disconnect from the gas network for a while.  My
    supplier, Octopus have told me that the gas meter must be uninstalled -
    and that this will not cost me anything.  Octopus has also said that,
    should I wish to go back on supply with them at a future date, a meter
    will be installed at no cost to me.

    Am I missing something in the way of costs to me?

    I had a similar situation some thirty-odd years ago. No cost to remove,
    no cost if I wanted it replaced. However, it was pointed out to me that
    if, in the intervening period, they replaced the gas main, then my
    property would not be connected and any subsequent reconnection would
    involve laying a new pipe with associated charges.

    Just something to bear in mind.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to All on Mon Jun 30 18:28:10 2025
    On 30/06/2025 16:41, Tim+ wrote:
    Peter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 13:10, Theo wrote:
    charles <[email protected]> wrote:
    In article <103tnuh$243gl$[email protected]>,
    Peter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 07:39, Andy Burns wrote:
    Peter Able wrote:

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we >>>>>>> first need to provide you with some further information so that you >>>>>>> can make the most informed decision.

    If you hade/have gas, presumably you used it for heating, what have you >>>>>> replaced it with? Hopefully you're not having to do it to avoid the >>>>>> standing charges and then see how it works out without gas?

    Yes, only for heating - and that for less than 5 months a year.
    Before we had a gas feed and after this disconnection - Oil-filled
    electric heaters and an Electrical Immersion Heater. The difference is >>>>> that with only me in the house, I plan to actively heat only the three >>>>> rooms I live in.


    Watch out. My brother tried that and found mildew on everything in all the >>>> unused rooms.

    Indeed, it's a recipe for trouble. Either you need heating or ventilation, if
    you have neither then with moist things in there (like breathing humans) >>> then you get damp and then mould.

    Sealing doors to unused rooms and opening windows to turn them into
    ventilated outdoor spaces is an option, but that makes the uninsulated
    internal walls be at outdoor temperature - so inside your living area they >>> get condensation and so mould.

    You'd also need to be obsessive about indoor moisture - cooking, showers, >>> laundry. Good extractor fans are a must.

    But if you can keep everything above the dew point you may be ok. Would be >>> an interesting experiment to have a heater controlled by humidity sensors >>> (indoor and out). When it's a snowy day the air is dry and you don't need >>> much heat, when it's a rainy day it's moist and you do.

    Theo

    I'm aware of all these points - and have been testing for the last two
    years. No sign of mildew or of aspergillus in the "passive" rooms. The
    only closed door within the house is the kitchen door - when cooking. I
    do very little "steamy" cooking and the little laundry is double-spun
    then hung either outside or in the conservatory.

    My lifestyle is hardcore ascetic. Bugger all water, gas and electric.
    Two to three wheely-bins-worth of refuse per annum.

    Now that’s impressive! So bloody hard to avoid excess plastic packaging etc these days. Mind you, even if I eschewed all superfluous packaging, my bottle bin would still need emptying monthly. ;-)

    Tim

    Gave up alcohol about ten years ago. Now, mostly water!

    Bugger-all water means about 66L per day.
    --
    PA
    --

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From alan_m@21:1/5 to All on Mon Jun 30 18:21:31 2025
    On 30/06/2025 16:41, Tim+ wrote:

    Now that’s impressive! So bloody hard to avoid excess plastic packaging etc these days. Mind you, even if I eschewed all superfluous packaging, my bottle bin would still need emptying monthly. ;-)

    I'm often surprised how much more rubbish and recycling neighbours put
    out each week - around 3x per person more than myself, and I don't go
    out of the way cut down on packaging with what I buy and I don't tend to
    crush cans or collapse plastic bottles. It's not just one neighbour,
    many seem to put out mountains of sacks.

    I used to compost a lot of card packaging but these days too much of it
    is plastic coated so that suppliers can claim to be going green by
    removing plastic bags inside their boxes :)

    --
    mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to Peter Able on Wed Jul 2 13:07:00 2025
    On 30/06/2025 16:05, Peter Able wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 13:01, Theo wrote:
    Peter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 07:39, Andy Burns wrote:
    Peter Able wrote:

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we >>>>> first need to provide you with some further information so that you
    can make the most informed decision.

    If you hade/have gas, presumably you used it for heating, what have you >>>> replaced it with?  Hopefully you're not having to do it to avoid the
    standing charges and then see how it works out without gas?

    Yes, only for heating - and that for less than 5 months a year.
    Before we had a gas feed and after this disconnection - Oil-filled
    electric heaters and an Electrical Immersion Heater.  The difference is >>> that with only me in the house, I plan to actively heat only the three
    rooms I live in.

    Might seem a bit OTT just to save £11 a month - but it is just an
    experiment which seems to be, currently, free of charge.  (Well, free
    for now: Your Octopus Blog post noted)

    There are 'zero standing charge' tariffs coming 'ready for winter
    2025/26':
    https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-release/ofgem-drives-forward-plans-introduce-zero-standing-charge-tariffs

    It might be an idea to hang on and wait for one of those, it looks like
    Utilita is the first one:
    https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/electricity-standing-charge/

    Turn off the gas at the meter and you'll use no gas that day, and so
    incur
    no standing charge.  If it's baltic on one day, you can use the gas but
    you'll pay a higher rate for the first few units - effectively a daily
    standing charge but only when you use gas.

    Requires a smart meter, but if you don't want one of those presumably
    other
    tariffs will come along towards the autumn.

    You can then 'virtually' disconnect your gas but still have it there
    if you
    need it.  If it turns out you don't actually use it over the winter
    then you
    can go ahead and get it disconnected.

    If you turn off the gas at the meter, do you need to purge gas lines when
    turning it back on?  You'll have to relight any pilot lights.
    Depending on
    the age of the boiler it may suffice not to turn off at the meter and
    just
    to not turn the heating on which means the gas valve at the boiler never
    opens.

    Theo

    I'm aware of the zero-standing-charge issues - and don't expect them to
    make any sense.  The Utilita one has a break-even, compared to Octopus,
    of about 0.3 cubic metre per day.  So it is really meant for truly zero users, IMHO.

    This house had no gas when we moved in, so is primarily electric.  I converted the oil CH to gas when gas became available in the street. The
    gas meter is on the outer house wall and the boiler is just the other
    side of the wall, so a purge will not be an issue - and it has an
    electronic pilot igniter.

    My main concern is that the assurances I have received from Octopus as
    to the costs to me of disconnecting then, maybe, reconnecting will be
    reneged upon.


    Thank you for all of the interest shown. I've decided to keep connected
    - at least for now! I believe that my latest Wizard Prang needs another
    winter of tests.

    Just for now - and this is a long-term experiment - I attach to a graph
    of kilowatt-hours per annum from when I installed the current gas boiler.

    https://ibb.co/zWCGqkhJ

    --
    PA
    --

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From Tim+@21:1/5 to KPeter Able on Wed Jul 2 20:13:04 2025
    KPeter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 16:05, Peter Able wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 13:01, Theo wrote:
    Peter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 07:39, Andy Burns wrote:
    Peter Able wrote:

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we >>>>>> first need to provide you with some further information so that you >>>>>> can make the most informed decision.

    If you hade/have gas, presumably you used it for heating, what have you >>>>> replaced it with?  Hopefully you're not having to do it to avoid the >>>>> standing charges and then see how it works out without gas?

    Yes, only for heating - and that for less than 5 months a year.
    Before we had a gas feed and after this disconnection - Oil-filled
    electric heaters and an Electrical Immersion Heater.  The difference is >>>> that with only me in the house, I plan to actively heat only the three >>>> rooms I live in.

    Might seem a bit OTT just to save £11 a month - but it is just an
    experiment which seems to be, currently, free of charge.  (Well, free >>>> for now: Your Octopus Blog post noted)

    There are 'zero standing charge' tariffs coming 'ready for winter
    2025/26':
    https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-release/ofgem-drives-forward-plans-introduce-zero-standing-charge-tariffs

    It might be an idea to hang on and wait for one of those, it looks like
    Utilita is the first one:
    https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/electricity-standing-charge/ >>>
    Turn off the gas at the meter and you'll use no gas that day, and so
    incur
    no standing charge.  If it's baltic on one day, you can use the gas but >>> you'll pay a higher rate for the first few units - effectively a daily
    standing charge but only when you use gas.

    Requires a smart meter, but if you don't want one of those presumably
    other
    tariffs will come along towards the autumn.

    You can then 'virtually' disconnect your gas but still have it there
    if you
    need it.  If it turns out you don't actually use it over the winter
    then you
    can go ahead and get it disconnected.

    If you turn off the gas at the meter, do you need to purge gas lines when >>> turning it back on?  You'll have to relight any pilot lights.
    Depending on
    the age of the boiler it may suffice not to turn off at the meter and
    just
    to not turn the heating on which means the gas valve at the boiler never >>> opens.

    Theo

    I'm aware of the zero-standing-charge issues - and don't expect them to
    make any sense.  The Utilita one has a break-even, compared to Octopus,
    of about 0.3 cubic metre per day.  So it is really meant for truly zero
    users, IMHO.

    This house had no gas when we moved in, so is primarily electric.  I
    converted the oil CH to gas when gas became available in the street. The
    gas meter is on the outer house wall and the boiler is just the other
    side of the wall, so a purge will not be an issue - and it has an
    electronic pilot igniter.

    My main concern is that the assurances I have received from Octopus as
    to the costs to me of disconnecting then, maybe, reconnecting will be
    reneged upon.


    Thank you for all of the interest shown. I've decided to keep connected
    - at least for now! I believe that my latest Wizard Prang needs another winter of tests.

    Just for now - and this is a long-term experiment - I attach to a graph
    of kilowatt-hours per annum from when I installed the current gas boiler.

    https://ibb.co/zWCGqkhJ


    Struggling to follow your graph. Did you really use the best part of 4,000
    kWhr in January 2025 for electric and 20,000 kWhr for gas?

    Are you growing cannabis indoors?

    Tim

    --
    Please don't feed the trolls

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Nick Finnigan@21:1/5 to All on Wed Jul 2 21:40:06 2025
    On 02/07/2025 21:13, Tim+ wrote:
    KPeter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    Just for now - and this is a long-term experiment - I attach to a graph
    of kilowatt-hours per annum from when I installed the current gas boiler.

    https://ibb.co/zWCGqkhJ


    Struggling to follow your graph. Did you really use the best part of 4,000 kWhr in January 2025 for electric and 20,000 kWhr for gas?

    I think it means 4,000 kWhr for electricity and 20,000 kWh for gas for
    the year up to January 2025.

    Are you growing cannabis indoors?

    In which case, no, but still 'high'.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to All on Thu Jul 3 08:59:38 2025
    On 02/07/2025 21:13, Tim+ wrote:
    KPeter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 16:05, Peter Able wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 13:01, Theo wrote:
    Peter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 07:39, Andy Burns wrote:
    Peter Able wrote:

    As you have indicated that you would like your gas meter removed, we >>>>>>> first need to provide you with some further information so that you >>>>>>> can make the most informed decision.

    If you hade/have gas, presumably you used it for heating, what have you >>>>>> replaced it with?  Hopefully you're not having to do it to avoid the >>>>>> standing charges and then see how it works out without gas?

    Yes, only for heating - and that for less than 5 months a year.
    Before we had a gas feed and after this disconnection - Oil-filled
    electric heaters and an Electrical Immersion Heater.  The difference is >>>>> that with only me in the house, I plan to actively heat only the three >>>>> rooms I live in.

    Might seem a bit OTT just to save £11 a month - but it is just an
    experiment which seems to be, currently, free of charge.  (Well, free >>>>> for now: Your Octopus Blog post noted)

    There are 'zero standing charge' tariffs coming 'ready for winter
    2025/26':
    https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-release/ofgem-drives-forward-plans-introduce-zero-standing-charge-tariffs

    It might be an idea to hang on and wait for one of those, it looks like >>>> Utilita is the first one:
    https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/electricity-standing-charge/ >>>>
    Turn off the gas at the meter and you'll use no gas that day, and so
    incur
    no standing charge.  If it's baltic on one day, you can use the gas but >>>> you'll pay a higher rate for the first few units - effectively a daily >>>> standing charge but only when you use gas.

    Requires a smart meter, but if you don't want one of those presumably
    other
    tariffs will come along towards the autumn.

    You can then 'virtually' disconnect your gas but still have it there
    if you
    need it.  If it turns out you don't actually use it over the winter
    then you
    can go ahead and get it disconnected.

    If you turn off the gas at the meter, do you need to purge gas lines when >>>> turning it back on?  You'll have to relight any pilot lights.
    Depending on
    the age of the boiler it may suffice not to turn off at the meter and
    just
    to not turn the heating on which means the gas valve at the boiler never >>>> opens.

    Theo

    I'm aware of the zero-standing-charge issues - and don't expect them to
    make any sense.  The Utilita one has a break-even, compared to Octopus, >>> of about 0.3 cubic metre per day.  So it is really meant for truly zero >>> users, IMHO.

    This house had no gas when we moved in, so is primarily electric.  I
    converted the oil CH to gas when gas became available in the street. The >>> gas meter is on the outer house wall and the boiler is just the other
    side of the wall, so a purge will not be an issue - and it has an
    electronic pilot igniter.

    My main concern is that the assurances I have received from Octopus as
    to the costs to me of disconnecting then, maybe, reconnecting will be
    reneged upon.


    Thank you for all of the interest shown. I've decided to keep connected
    - at least for now! I believe that my latest Wizard Prang needs another
    winter of tests.

    Just for now - and this is a long-term experiment - I attach a graph
    of kilowatt-hours per annum from when I installed the current gas boiler.

    https://ibb.co/zWCGqkhJ


    Struggling to follow your graph. Did you really use the best part of 4,000 kWhr in January 2025 for electric and 20,000 kWhr for gas?

    Are you growing cannabis indoors?

    Tim

    NB The upper graph is titled "Gas + Electricity" so for January 2025 electricity is about 4,000kWh and gas is about 15,000kWh per annum.

    Electricity at 456 Wh? Fridge and (separate) freezer account for about
    70Wh, food preparation about 180Wh, computer for about 70Wh. Most of
    the rest is for occasional heating - of me, not the weed. ;-}}

    Yesterday's gas per annum was 11,719kWh; electricity was 4,038kWh.

    House floor space: 2,800 sq. ft.
    PA
    --

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to Nick Finnigan on Thu Jul 3 09:03:41 2025
    On 02/07/2025 21:40, Nick Finnigan wrote:
    On 02/07/2025 21:13, Tim+ wrote:
    KPeter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    Just for now - and this is a long-term experiment - I attach to a graph
    of kilowatt-hours per annum from when I installed the current gas
    boiler.

    https://ibb.co/zWCGqkhJ


    Struggling to follow your graph. Did you really use the best part of
    4,000
    kWhr in January 2025 for electric and 20,000 kWhr for gas?

     I think it means 4,000 kWhr for electricity and 20,000 kWh for gas for
    the year up to January 2025.

    Are you growing cannabis indoors?

     In which case, no, but still 'high'.

    NB The upper graph is titled "Gas + Electricity" so for January 2025 electricity is about 4,000kWh and gas is about 15,000kWh per annum.

    Electricity at 456 Wh? Fridge and (separate) freezer account for about
    70Wh, food preparation about 180Wh, computer for about 70Wh. Most of
    the rest is for occasional heating - of me, not the weed. ;-}}

    Yesterday's gas per annum was 11,719kWh; electricity was 4,038kWh.

    House floor space: about 2,800 sq. ft.

    PA
    --

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Nick Finnigan@21:1/5 to Peter Able on Thu Jul 3 10:28:21 2025
    On 03/07/2025 09:03, Peter Able wrote:
    NB The upper graph is titled "Gas + Electricity" so for January 2025 electricity is about 4,000kWh and gas is about 15,000kWh per annum.

    Both well above OFGEM 'medium'. https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/average-gas-and-electricity-use-explained

    Electricity at 456 Wh? Fridge and (separate) freezer account for about
    70Wh, food preparation about 180Wh, computer for about 70Wh.  Most of the rest is for occasional heating - of me, not the weed. ;-}}

    Yesterday's gas per annum was 11,719kWh; electricity was 4,038kWh.

    House floor space: about 2,800 sq. ft.

    I'd call that a large house.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to Nick Finnigan on Thu Jul 3 10:38:02 2025
    On 03/07/2025 10:28, Nick Finnigan wrote:
    On 03/07/2025 09:03, Peter Able wrote:
    NB The upper graph is titled "Gas + Electricity" so for January 2025
    electricity is about 4,000kWh and gas is about 15,000kWh per annum.

     Both well above OFGEM 'medium'. https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/average-gas-and-electricity-use-explained

    Electricity at 456 Wh? Fridge and (separate) freezer account for about
    70Wh, food preparation about 180Wh, computer for about 70Wh.  Most of
    the rest is for occasional heating - of me, not the weed. ;-}}

    Yesterday's gas per annum was 11,719kWh; electricity was 4,038kWh.

    House floor space: about 2,800 sq. ft.

     I'd call that a large house.


    So would I. Though since it was built all of the neighbouring houses
    have been extended/rebuilt as larger houses !
    --
    PA
    --

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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  • From nib@21:1/5 to Peter Able on Thu Jul 3 11:45:21 2025
    On 2025-07-03 09:03, Peter Able wrote:
    On 02/07/2025 21:40, Nick Finnigan wrote:
    On 02/07/2025 21:13, Tim+ wrote:
    KPeter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    Just for now - and this is a long-term experiment - I attach to a graph >>>> of kilowatt-hours per annum from when I installed the current gas
    boiler.

    https://ibb.co/zWCGqkhJ


    Struggling to follow your graph. Did you really use the best part of
    4,000
    kWhr in January 2025 for electric and 20,000 kWhr for gas?

      I think it means 4,000 kWhr for electricity and 20,000 kWh for gas
    for the year up to January 2025.

    Are you growing cannabis indoors?

      In which case, no, but still 'high'.

    NB The upper graph is titled "Gas + Electricity" so for January 2025 electricity is about 4,000kWh and gas is about 15,000kWh per annum.

    Electricity at 456 Wh? Fridge and (separate) freezer account for about
    70Wh, food preparation about 180Wh, computer for about 70Wh.  Most of
    the rest is for occasional heating - of me, not the weed. ;-}}

    Yesterday's gas per annum was 11,719kWh; electricity was 4,038kWh.

    ...

    Is that 365 times yesterday's consumption, so what a year would be at
    that rate, or the sum of the previous 365 days consumption?

    (The latter obviously changes only very slowly day-by-day.)

    nib

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From alan_m@21:1/5 to nib on Thu Jul 3 12:30:52 2025
    On 03/07/2025 11:45, nib wrote:
    On 2025-07-03 09:03, Peter Able wrote:
    On 02/07/2025 21:40, Nick Finnigan wrote:
    On 02/07/2025 21:13, Tim+ wrote:
    KPeter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    Just for now - and this is a long-term experiment - I attach to a
    graph
    of kilowatt-hours per annum from when I installed the current gas
    boiler.

    https://ibb.co/zWCGqkhJ


    Struggling to follow your graph. Did you really use the best part of
    4,000
    kWhr in January 2025 for electric and 20,000 kWhr for gas?

      I think it means 4,000 kWhr for electricity and 20,000 kWh for gas
    for the year up to January 2025.

    Are you growing cannabis indoors?

      In which case, no, but still 'high'.

    NB The upper graph is titled "Gas + Electricity" so for January 2025
    electricity is about 4,000kWh and gas is about 15,000kWh per annum.

    Electricity at 456 Wh? Fridge and (separate) freezer account for about
    70Wh, food preparation about 180Wh, computer for about 70Wh.  Most of
    the rest is for occasional heating - of me, not the weed. ;-}}

    Yesterday's gas per annum was 11,719kWh; electricity was 4,038kWh.

    ...

    Is that 365 times yesterday's consumption, so what a year would be at
    that rate, or the sum of the previous 365 days consumption?

    (The latter obviously changes only very slowly day-by-day.)


    I'm assuming that the graph shows either a Jan to Jan consumption (total
    for 365 days) or Jul to Jul consumption (again a total of 365 days). Any intermediate points would also be the consumption for the previous 365
    days from that date. If not that is a lot of consumption in the Summer
    months for central heating in the previous years :)



    --
    mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to nib on Thu Jul 3 11:48:39 2025
    On 03/07/2025 11:45, nib wrote:
    On 2025-07-03 09:03, Peter Able wrote:
    On 02/07/2025 21:40, Nick Finnigan wrote:
    On 02/07/2025 21:13, Tim+ wrote:
    KPeter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    Just for now - and this is a long-term experiment - I attach to a
    graph
    of kilowatt-hours per annum from when I installed the current gas
    boiler.

    https://ibb.co/zWCGqkhJ


    Struggling to follow your graph. Did you really use the best part of
    4,000
    kWhr in January 2025 for electric and 20,000 kWhr for gas?

      I think it means 4,000 kWhr for electricity and 20,000 kWh for gas
    for the year up to January 2025.

    Are you growing cannabis indoors?

      In which case, no, but still 'high'.

    NB The upper graph is titled "Gas + Electricity" so for January 2025
    electricity is about 4,000kWh and gas is about 15,000kWh per annum.

    Electricity at 456 Wh? Fridge and (separate) freezer account for about
    70Wh, food preparation about 180Wh, computer for about 70Wh.  Most of
    the rest is for occasional heating - of me, not the weed. ;-}}

    Yesterday's gas per annum was 11,719kWh; electricity was 4,038kWh.

    ...

    Is that 365 times yesterday's consumption, so what a year would be at
    that rate, or the sum of the previous 365 days consumption?

    (The latter obviously changes only very slowly day-by-day.)

    nib

    The difference between meter readings 52 weeks apart. (In the case of
    gas, converted from cubic metres to kWh.)
    --
    PA
    --

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to All on Thu Jul 3 14:19:51 2025
    On 03/07/2025 12:30, alan_m wrote:
    On 03/07/2025 11:45, nib wrote:
    On 2025-07-03 09:03, Peter Able wrote:
    On 02/07/2025 21:40, Nick Finnigan wrote:
    On 02/07/2025 21:13, Tim+ wrote:
    KPeter Able <[email protected]> wrote:
    Just for now - and this is a long-term experiment - I attach to a
    graph
    of kilowatt-hours per annum from when I installed the current gas
    boiler.

    https://ibb.co/zWCGqkhJ


    Struggling to follow your graph. Did you really use the best part
    of 4,000
    kWhr in January 2025 for electric and 20,000 kWhr for gas?

      I think it means 4,000 kWhr for electricity and 20,000 kWh for gas >>>> for the year up to January 2025.

    Are you growing cannabis indoors?

      In which case, no, but still 'high'.

    NB The upper graph is titled "Gas + Electricity" so for January 2025
    electricity is about 4,000kWh and gas is about 15,000kWh per annum.

    Electricity at 456 Wh? Fridge and (separate) freezer account for
    about 70Wh, food preparation about 180Wh, computer for about 70Wh.
    Most of the rest is for occasional heating - of me, not the weed. ;-}}

    Yesterday's gas per annum was 11,719kWh; electricity was 4,038kWh.

    ...

    Is that 365 times yesterday's consumption, so what a year would be at
    that rate, or the sum of the previous 365 days consumption?

    (The latter obviously changes only very slowly day-by-day.)


    I'm assuming that the graph shows either a Jan to Jan consumption (total
    for 365 days) or Jul to Jul consumption (again a total of 365 days). Any intermediate points would also be the consumption for the previous 365
    days from that date.  If not that is a lot of consumption in the Summer months for central heating in the previous years :)




    All plotted points are the difference in meter readings 52 weeks apart.

    I just chose to highlight January and July on the X-axis.
    --
    PA
    --
    --
    PA
    --

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Andrew@21:1/5 to Andrew on Sun Jul 6 19:30:59 2025
    On 30/06/2025 18:03, Andrew wrote:
    On 29/06/2025 18:31, Peter Able wrote:
    I'm planning to disconnect from the gas network for a while.  My
    supplier, Octopus have told me that the gas meter must be uninstalled
    - and that this will not cost me anything.  Octopus has also said
    that, should I wish to go back on supply with them at a future date, a
    meter will be installed at no cost to me.

    Am I missing something in the way of costs to me?

    I had a similar situation some thirty-odd years ago. No cost to remove,
    no cost if I wanted it replaced. However, it was pointed out to me that
    if, in the intervening period, they replaced the gas main, then my
    property would not be connected and any subsequent reconnection would
    involve laying a new pipe with associated charges.

    Just something to bear in mind.

    Even worse, if you have your gas meter removed to save on the
    standing charge, then after about a year, Transco will turn up
    and if there is any 3/4 inch metal pipework on *their* side
    of the meter (as is the case in hundreds of thousands of houses
    built in the 60's and 70's) they will dig up the pavement or
    road and chop your supply outside your boundary.

    Any subsequent reconnection will be deemed to be a new service
    that has to meet current regulations (= V expensive).

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Peter Able@21:1/5 to Andrew on Mon Jul 7 08:03:56 2025
    On 06/07/2025 19:30, Andrew wrote:
    On 30/06/2025 18:03, Andrew wrote:
    On 29/06/2025 18:31, Peter Able wrote:
    I'm planning to disconnect from the gas network for a while.  My
    supplier, Octopus have told me that the gas meter must be uninstalled
    - and that this will not cost me anything.  Octopus has also said
    that, should I wish to go back on supply with them at a future date,
    a meter will be installed at no cost to me.

    Am I missing something in the way of costs to me?

    I had a similar situation some thirty-odd years ago. No cost to
    remove, no cost if I wanted it replaced. However, it was pointed out
    to me that if, in the intervening period, they replaced the gas main,
    then my property would not be connected and any subsequent
    reconnection would involve laying a new pipe with associated charges.

    Just something to bear in mind.

    Even worse, if you have your gas meter removed to save on the
    standing charge, then after about a year, Transco will turn up
    and if there is any 3/4 inch metal pipework on *their* side
    of the meter (as is the case in hundreds of thousands of houses
    built in the 60's and 70's) they will dig up the pavement or
    road and chop your supply outside your boundary.

    Any subsequent reconnection will be deemed to be a new service
    that has to meet current regulations (= V expensive).

    Yes, the paperwork explains that, after a year, they will do more than
    just seal the gas valve. If this issue was just the standing charge
    during no-usage months, then the restoring of the supply would occur
    before the one-year point was met.

    Incidentally, the gas was moled in here in 2002 and is all plastic.
    PA
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