James Lee
- 9 December 2021

What do you know about your business gas meter?

Natural gas meters iin a row. Household energy consumption.

What do you know about your business gas meter?

If your answer is ‘not a lot’, Crown Gas & Power Siteworks Team Leader Danny Madden has outlined the key information – so the next time someone asks you to check your outlet ECV, you’ll know what they’re talking about.

What is a gas meter?

A gas meter measures the volume of natural gas needed to fuel your business. They are supplied in many sizes and it is important that your business has the correct meter size or you could be paying a higher standing charge for a gas meter you don’t need. The type of meter you’ll need is determined by your Hourly Load (HL), the maximum amount you’ll need at any one point. Your HL is determined by what the gas is being used for and the devices on site. Each piece of gas equipment will need a certain amount of gas to run.

Example of appliances:

  • Gas fire: 10 kWhs
  • Gas cooker: 20 kWhs
  • Gas boiler: 30 kWhs

The total HL will be 60 kWhs per hour, which means you would need a gas meter that is able to flow enough gas to allow an energy of 60 kWhs. There are three types of gas meters:

  • Diaphragm: the most common type of meter in smaller businesses
  • Rotary displacement: has a range of HLs, better for on/off
  • Turbine: constant gas flow with a range of HLs

Meter terminology

We’ve listed out the most commonly referred to parts of a meter:

Emergency Control Valve (ECV)

The safety mechanism on the supply pipe fitted to all gas pipe installations – its purpose is to control the flow of gas. You’ll find it where the pipe meets the gas meter.

Regulator / Governor

The job of a gas regulator is to supply gas at constant set outlet pressure. It will maintain the correct pressure and cut off the flow when it reaches a set pressure.

Anaconda / Flexi-hose

The anaconda is a corrugated metallic flexible hose that is used to connect the gas regulator with the gas pipes.

Meter Pressure

Meter pressure should be between 19 and 21 mbar and this is measured by a gas test gauge. If the number read is between this amount, then no more action needs to be taken. If it falls outside of this and the site hasn’t requested elevated pressure, you should contact your supplier, or if in out of hours the Gas Emergency Line on 0800 111 999.

Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN)

The MPRN is the identification number of the Supply Pipe. Your MPRN is typically an 11-digit number found but can be lower and can be located on your gas bill. It is the unique number for your gas meter and is requested if you are changing suppliers.

Knowing your gas meter size

There isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ ethos when it comes to gas meter size. It is important to check that the volume of gas you need is supported by the correct size gas meter. Standard diaphragm gas meter sizes are written as:

  • U6 – G4 – Max HL is 64 Kwhs, max expected AQ is 67,000 kWhs
  • U16 – BKG10/MDA16 – Max HL is 173 Kwhs, max expected AQ us 177,000 kWhs
  • U25 – BKG16/MDA25 – Max HL is 270 Kwhs, max expected AQ is 277,000 kWhs
  • U40 – BKG25/MDA25 – Max HL is 433 Kwhs, max expected AQ is 444,000 kWhs
  • U65 – BKG40/MDA65 – Max HL 704 Kwhs, max expected AQ is 720,000 kWhs
  • U100 – BKG65/MDA100 – Max HL is 1083 Kwhs, max expected AQ is 1,108,000 kWhs
  • U160 – BKG100/MDA160 – Max HL is 1733 Kwhs, max expected AQ is 1,772,000 kWhs

The U is to define all diaphragm gas meters and the number explains to meter capacity in Standard Cubic Metres per Hour (SCMH). The 6 therefore means it has a capacity of 6 cubic meters per hour.  If you are unsure about the size of the gas meter that supplies your business, our Siteworks team can arrange inspections, upgrades and downgrades of meters. Get in touch with the team today.

What does a Meter Asset Manager do?

The Meter Asset Manager is a company that works on behalf of a supplier to install and maintain your gas meters. They may be mentioned by your supplier when talking over the process. They are responsible for:

  • Installing & maintaining meters
  • Designing & building bespoke meters – large Annual Quantity (AQ)
  • Removing & disposing of old meters
  • Repairing damage to existing meters (generally replacing)
  • Installing AMR devices

Crown Gas & Power Siteworks

Siteworks is an integral part of the process of supplying your business with gas. If a commercial property doesn’t have a pipe, gas meter or contract, Crown Gas & Power’s Siteworks team can manage all aspects of this process for not only gas but your electricity and water pipes too.

At Crown Gas & Power, we offer free of charge standard sized meter installations to businesses that sign their gas supply contract with us, which includes LP and MP270 pressure tiers.

When working with our Siteworks team, no matter how big the project, you will benefit from working with a dedicated point of contact who will support you throughout the whole process.

Get in touch with the team today to discuss your requirements by calling 0161 762 7744 or by emailing site.service@crowngas.co.uk