HELP!! Gas meter/supply under sized

[capitanpugwash]

I had a combi boiler/central heating system replaced June 2010. In Feb 2011 I received a call from Gas Safe saying they'd like to come and inspect the job. Gas Safe were generally happy with the gas installation (other than some labels had been omitted) but were concerned as the meter (u6) appeared undersized as we have another two combi boilers from the same gas supply at our property.

To start with, the gas installer flapped and suggested shutting off two combi boilers, changing to propane, use electric water heating or running a new gas pipe 40 m in length at my cost, amongst other things.

Agile,

If you read this again you will see that he has boiler fitted in June 2010. Feb 2011 Gas Safe inspect and have issues with the supply- which the installer is responsible for having not checked and arranged to be suitable. The way I read it at this point the installer was contacted and he then "flapped and suggested shutting off two combi boilers". This being to cover his back AFTER the Gas Safe inspection....

As for the rest, I like your timing solution- it is tidy- except for the fact that if taps were run from the combis they'd fire up or be off on a timer and there would be no hot water available....!

 

[lecky01]

Tony, thanks for your comments but you're reading out of sequence. The installer flapped afer the Gas Safe inspector had been, not before, he did not inform me of any issues prior to installation nor immediately after, the issue was highlighted by Gas Safe.

 

[lecky01]

Thanks for all the comments and help. Apparently, the pipe coming in is 35 mm and I need 12 cub.m gas maximum, which, my gas installer and Transco seem happy about. I have contacted my gas supplier to send forms requesting a change of meter from u6 to u16. I'll post any info that comes out of this.

Thanks again.

 

[PlumbingSucks]

some info about diversity factors that people might find handy. I have an issue on a job where the u6 meter might be too small for a new 40kw boiler and existing appliances so rang gas safe and they said when sizing a meter you only need to take into account

100% of gas consumption for a conventional boiler
60% for cooker
40% for gas fires

 

[Blackcatgas]

some info about diversity factors that people might find handy. I have an issue on a job where the u6 meter might be too small for a new 40kw boiler and existing appliances so rang gas safe and they said when sizing a meter you only need to take into account

100% of gas consumption for a conventional boiler
60% for cooker
40% for gas fires

80% for a combi

 

[royston]

I was reading about the diversity factors in the corgi book last night, there is calculations you can do.

 

[CMairiD]

some info about diversity factors that people might find handy. I have an issue on a job where the u6 meter might be too small for a new 40kw boiler and existing appliances so rang gas safe and they said when sizing a meter you only need to take into account

100% of gas consumption for a conventional boiler
60% for cooker
40% for gas fires

Think you might have swapped the figures for cookers (40%) & fires (60%).

 

[tamz]

Here is how to do it

 

[Reg Man]

Not much diversity on three combis? What was the installer thinking about. The poor old gas meter must be knackered.

 

[lecky01]

Yeah, they never came to read it, just came to change the bearings!

 

[stevetheplumber]

the real bad news is your gonna see a rise in your gas consumption assuming at some point the three boilers were under gassed