How Do Gas Meters Work?

Most of us use gas every day to heat our homes and cook our food. But paying gas bills can be a worry, especially when winter is on its way.

So, how do gas meters work? How do you know if you are paying the right amount for your gas bills? And how can you tell if there is a problem with your gas meter?

At Stay Energy Safe, we keep people and communities safe from the risks related to gas and electricity theft. By raising awareness of the dangers of energy theft, and by informing people about how their energy meters work, we can help you to stay energy safe.

Here is our guide to how gas meters work, and what you need to know.

What Is a Gas Meter?

Most properties in this country are linked to the gas supply network. If you use gas for heating or cooking, then you will most likely be linked to the mains gas supply, which will be routed through a gas meter as it enters your home. The gas meter measures the amount of gas that flows through it, and your gas supplier will charge you based on the quantity that you have used.

So, reading your meters is important!

When you read your meter and provide that information to your supplier, they will charge you based on that figure. If you don’t, your energy supplier will estimate your usage which could lead to under or overpaying on your bill. This will be based on a combination of factors: your neighbours average bills, the time of the year, or your previous year’s energy use.

Energy bills are often sent monthly, but they tend to vary in frequency. It can also be bi-monthly, quarterly, bi-annually etc. depending on the tariff you are on. To ensure that your bill is an accurate representation of your usage, the ideal time to conduct a meter reading would be a few days before your bill is due.

How Does a Gas Meter Work?

Gas meters are made up of several components that work together to ensure that you get a constant and safe flow of gas.

The gas flows towards the property from the main gas supply. Where the supply enters the property, an Emergency Control Valve (ECV) is fitted to the pipework. An ECV is an essential component to a gas supply as it can be used to fully turn off the gas supply when necessary to stop gas entering the property if there is a suspicion of a gas leak or other unsafe situation.

From the ECV the gas passes through pipework and into the gas regulator before entering the left-hand side of the gas meter. The flow of energy always runs through the inlet on the left, and out of the outlet on the right of the meter into the internal pipework which in turn leads to the appliances that require gas within the property.

The gas is measured as it flows through the meter and the volume used is registered on the meter index. To make sure that your meter is of a quality standard and will accurately record your consumption, it is branded with an industry seal which is put on during production.

Types of gas meter

In a normal home, there are typically two types of gas meter:

1. Credit meters
2. Pre-payment meters

The difference between a credit and a pre-payment meter is that with a credit meter you pay based on your consumption over a given period. This can be paid via direct debit, card payment, bank transfer or cash.

With pre-payment meters, you pay in advance for your gas and electricity on a pay-as-you-go basis. This is normally paid for by buying credit.

How To Read Your Meter

Meters vary a lot, depending on how old they are, the manufacturer, and even how they work. The description below outlines some of the different meters that you might have in your home.

Even though there are two types of meters, they work in three different ways:

• Digital meters
• Dial meters
• Smart meters.

Whilst they all present the same information, they are read in slightly different ways.

Digital Meters:

These meters are very simple to read. Figures are displayed to you on a small digital screen. You take your reading based on these figures, ignoring any numbers after the decimal point or in red.

Dial Meters:

As the name suggests, this meter variant displays your readings through a series of dials that rotate based on your energy consumption. These are slightly more complicated to read. You take the reading by writing down the number that the dial is pointing to. If a dial is between two numbers, no matter how close then you select the lower number. 

Some dial meters have internal dials that just display the numbers. On the right side of the display there are also numbers in red or on a red background; these can be ignored. The numbers not in red are the reading.

Smart Meters:

These are the newest form of meter that are beginning to replace the previous generation of both credit and prepayment meters. These meters show you real-time usage levels and the cost incurred so you can monitor your spending.

Additionally, smart meters will send meter readings automatically to your energy provider using a mobile signal, so you won’t need to take readings anymore.

How To Get a Smart Meter

Getting a smart meter is simple. All you need to do is contact your electricity supplier and request one. Then they will book an installation time and provide you with one free of charge.

Read more about smart meters here.

Finding Your Gas Supply Number

Your gas supply number, or Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) number is a 6–10-digit reference, used to identify unique gas supply points. It is needed when switching supplier or moving home.

Your new supplier might ask you for it as part of the process as these numbers are associated with the property and not the supplier. Therefore, they remain the same regardless of a change in supplier.

However, don’t worry if you do not know it as suppliers have access to a central system and can find it from the full address and postcode.

You can find your gas supply number on the front of your meter. If you can’t find it, it should also be stated on your monthly bill, or you can contact your supplier for more help.

Gas Theft: What Is It?

Gas theft is done in several ways, but the result is always the same. It involves any form of tampering with your meter or incoming supply. This ensures your meter registers your gas usage to be less than it is, or to bypass the meter completely so it registers no use at all.

Gas theft can create a number of serious risks such as gas leaks, which can result in house fires, and catastrophic explosions. This poses a danger not only to your family and household, but to your neighbours around you.  It is also a criminal offence and can lead to large fines or a prison sentence.

For more information, please visit our page on gas theft.  

And for any other questions you may have please visit our FAQ page.

You can tell us what you know about energy theft via our online form, or you can talk to one of the Stay Energy Safe team on 0800 023 2777. Both services enable you to remain 100% anonymous.

Please note, this service is independent to your energy supplier and can only take calls relating the suspected meter tampering or energy theft.