A gas meter will significantly reduce utility bills. Read about what you need to do to install it in this material.
Contact your city's unified gas service. For Moscow, this is the State Unitary Enterprise Mosgaz. Take there a list of all organizations involved in drawing up projects for installing gas meters. You will need to order a sketch. Have gas receipts for the last three months ready to prove you have no debt. In some cases, approval from the fire department is required. It is better to clarify this point by calling the hotline.
Please note that self installation gas meters is fraught with unforeseen consequences and the occurrence emergency situations. Therefore, it is better to entrust this matter to specialists. Do not forget that the installation of meters will soon be mandatory. So it's better not to leave it until the last minute. The sooner you install a meter, the more money you will save for your family budget.
Gas consumption is firmly established in the lives of Russians. This is dictated not only by the requirements of the current legislation, but also by the diligence of the people themselves. Gas meters allow you to control and regulate the consumption of blue fuel, and therefore save significantly cash- the fee based on the device readings will ultimately be significantly lower than the calculations made based on the standards.
How to install a counter: step-by-step instructions
Installation of this device, despite its apparent simplicity, requires certain skills and knowledge. But the most important thing is to comply with safety precautions, the rules for installing a gas meter and take all measures to ensure that the operation of the device eliminates any risks. It is quite logical that only licensed gas supply companies and specialists of the relevant classifications can install such metering devices.
When choosing a performing company, it is wise to pay attention to such points as:
- availability of permits for installation and maintenance gas equipment;
- provision of guarantees.
The process of installing a gas meter in an apartment should consist of the following steps:
Quite a lot important point: You can purchase a meter yourself in a specialized store (department) if you have accompanying documentation confirming certification, and provided that this particular type of meter is suitable for your apartment - you can consult with gas service specialists on this matter.
Requirements for installing a gas meter
The wishes of the customer in choosing the location for installing the device are not enough; there are certain procedures and standards that must be observed.
For example, the distance from the stove or gas water heater must be at least 80 centimeters, and from the floor - at least 1.2 meters.
It is also important to comply with the following requirements:
- compliance of the meter installation location with the design data or the diagram approved by the gas service;
- holding gas welding work when the gas supply is completely turned off in the entire entrance apartment building;
- compliance with safety regulations;
- performance of work by certified gas service specialists;
- installation of certified equipment;
- mandatory sealing of the metering device.
Installation price
In fact, this device is the property of the apartment owner, and therefore the cost of installation and the gas meter itself is reimbursed by the customer.
The value is affected by:
- availability and number of devices operating on blue fuel - gas stove, geyser, water heaters;
- whether welding work will be carried out or not;
- length of pipes leading out the meter;
- at whose expense the equipment was purchased.
Connecting a meter with only a gas stove in the apartment costs an average of three to four thousand rubles.
The average cost of installing a gas meter for a stove and other equipment (for example, a geyser) will cost two orders of magnitude more - from six to eight thousand rubles.
In other words, the complexity of the work has an impact direct influence for the cost.
Mandatory installation of gas meters
Until recently, the installation of a gas meter was not mandatory. However, in 2009, the Federal Law on the installation of gas meters was adopted. Until January 1, 2015, citizens had the right to choose the supplier of the metering device and the installation company. After this date, installation of gas meters is carried out exclusively by the gas supply company. It is expected that from January 1, 2016 the installation household meters gas will be carried out compulsorily.
We bring to your attention a video on how to install a gas meter:
Nowadays, tariffs for electricity, water supply, and gas are constantly increasing. When living in an apartment, as well as in a private house, it becomes profitable to use meters. With them a person pays less for public utilities per month than at the general rate. Many citizens are wondering whether it is necessary to install a gas meter in an apartment. And some ask what the tariff for gas services will be if the device is not installed in the house.
There are rules for installing a gas meter in an apartment. It is worth familiarizing yourself with them in detail. We will talk about this further in our article.
Is it mandatory to install such meters in an apartment?
Since 2015 the federal law obliged residents of houses who consume more than two cubic meters of gas per hour to install meters. Failure to comply with the law will result in a fine.
The government is gradually preparing citizens for the adoption of a law on the mandatory installation of gas meters in apartments. Many people support this decision and begin to install these devices in advance. There are also opponents of the mentioned law. Until legislation on installing a gas meter in an apartment is adopted, they categorically refuse to install them in their homes.
Many gas companies are calling residents apartment buildings, offering free installation of appliances until a certain time. According to representatives of gas services, installation will later become paid. Some scare people with sanctions.
People who have already installed gas metering devices note that they have begun to save on utility bills. The benefits have become tangible. To get a positive result, you need to take a responsible approach to choosing a meter. If you install the right device, after the first month of use, the cost savings will become obvious.
How to choose the right device?
Before purchasing a meter for your apartment, you need to identify some nuances. These include:
- How many people in the apartment consume gas?
- What should the air temperature be for the meter to work properly?
- What will be the diameter of the thread on the counter.
- How the device is connected.
- What is the permissible period of its use?
- What distance must be maintained between the centers of gas outlet.
You need to know that each counter has its own designation system. Devices are marked depending on how much gas they pass through. For example, if apartment residents consume approximately 2.5 cubic meters per hour, then the meter will indicate G-2.5.
In private homes, the controller is installed on the street. In such cases, you need to buy a device with a temperature compensator. It must be taken into account that the temperature can be down to minus thirty degrees, and without a temperature compensator the meter will not work.
Size gas pipe in an apartment is different from that in a private house. The average size is 1/2 inch. In some cases, even inch ones are installed.
The gas supply in the device may be on the left side, in some devices on the right side. To understand which device is needed, you need to know how gas consumers are located around the location where the meter is fixed.
Can the device be used after its service life has expired?
It is important to know that after the end of its service life, the gas meter must be replaced. Otherwise, deviations in its readings will appear. They can be up or down. The service life is counted from the date of release of the device. It can be seen in the device passport. Periodically, when using one device, it needs to be checked.
What needs to be done before installing a gas controller?
Installing a gas meter in an apartment is enough difficult work. It is best to invite specialists to carry it out.
Before installing gas meters in an apartment, you must:
- Compile and send an application to the gas company. You will need to submit some documents along with it. It is important not to forget about the apartment owner’s passport, and also take a project for installing gas in the house. You will need a subscription book and an apartment plan. The owner of the apartment must have a contract in hand, which is drawn up for the maintenance of equipment.
- The next step is to invite the master to the apartment. He must personally take measurements. The technician decides whether additional measurements will be necessary. The total amount for work of this kind will depend on the location where the house is located, as well as on the type of work.
- The technician installs the device. When the operation is completed, you need to ask the workers for paper with calculations. These papers will be required to seal the premises.
Is it possible to install this controller yourself?
In order to install the device yourself, it is important to know the standards for installing a gas meter in an apartment. So, it can be placed at a height of no more than 1.6 meters. The operating instructions indicate the requirements in accordance with which the installation must take place:
- When working, you should make a distance from the wall of up to five centimeters. In this case, the meters will not be subject to corrosion. In the room where the meter should be located, air ventilation is required, mainly natural.
- If the gas controller is installed outdoors, it is better to make a special cabinet for it or install a canopy. The device must not be wet by rain or covered with snow.
An important nuance is that the gas specialist evaluates the correct installation of the meter only before sealing. If it reveals any violations, the apartment owner will have to reinstall the controller again.
What is checked before putting a gas meter into operation?
Before using the gas controller for its intended purpose, specialists determine whether it is suitable for operation. The presence of malfunctions during the passage of fuel through the device is checked. Possible gas leaks are identified. The main task of specialists is to check whether the device is really ready for use. If the meter is working properly, it regularly measures the fuel consumed.
When the device is approved for operation, the owner of the premises receives a special certificate. It states that the device is indeed working and can be used to measure gas consumption.
What is a filling?
The law on the installation of gas meters in apartments obliges residents to seal the meters.
When the owner has all the necessary documents for the seal in his hands, he needs to buy the seal himself. In the next five days, a gas service employee will come. He must check whether the gas controller has been installed correctly.
If the specialist does not find any installation errors, he seals the device. There are cases when the device does not pass the gas service test. In this case, it is considered illegal. When paying for gas, the readings from such a device will not be counted. Billing will take place at the rate established for everyone.
Why is verification needed?
The rules for installing a gas meter in an apartment state that it is necessary to periodically check the devices.
This procedure is necessary to identify non-compliance of devices with established standards. The gas supplier must know that the device makes precise changes. There should be no deviations up or down.
According to the rules for installing a gas meter in an apartment, verification must be carried out before commissioning. And the following procedure is carried out after repairing the meter.
Each gas meter has a passport. This document specifies a specific period. After a specified period of time, verification must be repeated. The owner of an apartment or house is obliged to promptly return the meter to identify defects within the prescribed period.
What determines the price for the services of a gas meter installation specialist?
Many citizens note that installation of a gas meter in an apartment by a specialist can cost differently in the same apartment building. The final amount for the work done is influenced by a number of factors:
- How many people living in the apartment use gas?
- Is welding required to install the equipment?
- What length of pipes will be required for the meter.
- At whose expense were the fittings and pipes purchased? It is also important who paid for the gas meter itself.
Typically the cost installation work in apartments where there is only a gas stove, it is lower than if there is a water heater. When installing two or more meters, it is necessary to take readings from them monthly.
In different cities, the cost of services also differs significantly from each other. For example, installing a gas meter in an apartment in Volgograd will cost much less than in Moscow. On average, the cost of this operation ranges from 3 to 3.6 thousand rubles.
When working with controllers, it is necessary to observe safety precautions and also prepare necessary tools. These include screwdrivers, scissors, and a drill.
Conclusion
So, we looked at how and why a gas meter is installed. As you can see, there are a lot of requirements for controllers. It is also important to know all installation rules. This is the only way the installation will be considered legal.
Installing a gas meter is not a complicated procedure. Can I do the work myself? If not, how much will this surgery cost? What documents should I fill out? These questions will be answered in this article. After all, monopolists will not say anything about this. Read, find out, install it yourself.
The choice depends on the installation location of the device. Let's take a closer look at all the options for residential premises.
For apartment
Here, preference is given to devices without thermal correction. Membrane, rotary and electronic are widely used. Before purchasing, we make a choice based on some criteria:
– installation location;
– dimensions;
- noise level;
– what volume of gas is needed for gas appliances;
– terms of equipment verification;
– price and quality.
Taking into account all the data, we make a choice.
For an apartment equipped only gas oven and water heater, the electronic type will be the priority choice. Rotary ones are also allowed for installation, but the former are more accurate and not noisy. But the choice is individual. IN modern construction, premises in residential buildings, are equipped with apartment heating. This means a boiler is added. For this case, electronic, rotary ones are again used, but taking into account the larger volume of passing gas.
For private households
– you should take into account which gas appliances are installed and the maximum volume of energy carrier;
– the meter is equipped with thermal correction;
– verification dates;
– noise and dimensions;
– reliability and price.
Based on these parameters, we get: Here, it is necessary to install electronic, rotary meters.
When located outdoors, the choice is influenced
– thermal corrector, its installation here is mandatory. Although, they increase the price by 200%;
- temperature environment. Large temperature differences increase the measurement error;
The amount of gas consumed and the total number of equipment;
– presence of a protective box.
To all of the above types, a volumetric type is added.
Which is better, mechanical or electronic?
Simplicity of design, reliability, low price, but with a high noise level. These are the pros and cons of a mechanical gas meter.
The advantages of electronic include low noise, greater measurement accuracy, and small dimensions of the product. You can connect diagnostic devices with remote transmission of readings to a database. There is also a disadvantage, but it is relative. High price.
How to properly arrange a self-installation
The right of the homeowner to install the meter with his own hands is secured by current laws. Just resolving this issue will be very problematic. The companies carrying out the work are reluctant to part with their earnings and create all sorts of obstacles. Demand your right assertively and confidently.
To begin with, we draw up 2 copies of the application to the city gas department. When submitting, we register with the secretary and put the organization’s seal on the second form. This document remains with you. 
When visiting, you must have documents for the apartment (house register or passport for the premises) and a certificate from the tax office, which confirms your taxpayer status.
Then, a project is drawn up and approved by the city gas department. It is better to involve specialists for this operation. Any errors in this document may lead to problems when accepting work.
The project contains a pipe layout diagram and work conditions. The reliability of operation and the accuracy of measurements depend on the quality of the work performed.
By doing the work yourself, you are responsible for reliability and use more quality materials and equipment. And save your family money.
After signing all documents and approvals, we begin preparatory work. According to the project, we buy the meter itself, most likely electronic. Hoses or pipes for installation. Fittings and sealing materials, the necessary set of tools, a drill with a hammer drill, dowels and screws. We check the list again and start doing the work.
Step-by-step instructions for carrying out work when installing a gas meter yourself
First, you should remember some basic installation rules.
We issue a passport for the metering device, call a specialist to receive and seal the equipment. An acceptance certificate for completed work is drawn up in several copies. They are provided to Gorgaz and management company. Then an agreement is concluded to pay for gas according to the meter readings. And only after this can you breathe a sigh of relief and pride.
Additional information can be obtained from the video:
Here are the main points of performing work on installing an electronic type of meter. The explanation is simple and competent; the meaning and order of execution will be easy to repeat when working independently.
In conclusion, some important issues should be recalled.
Before carrying out installation work, we must draw up a contract and make a project for carrying out the work. After completing the installation, without delay, we call a technician and accept and seal the meter. Before work turn off gas supply to the installation site. A shut-off ball or plug valve must be installed in front of the gas meter.
Let your home be warm and smell delicious of pies.
An increase in gas prices is a stronger incentive for us than the government decree regarding mandatory installation various kinds metering devices. The fact that water meters allow you to save significantly has long been proven, but few people are trying to calculate the consumption of this cheap energy carrier. Previously, the most far-sighted users had already purchased and installed gas meters. But today, installing a gas meter in an apartment is beneficial not only to prudent users, but also to all Russians, as well as to the government, which has issued a decree on the mandatory calculation of this resource.
About what it is this device and whether it really needs to be installed is what will be discussed in today’s article.
How to install a gas meter yourself
Let us immediately make a reservation that such meters are representatives of the category of high-risk devices. Consequently, their installation must be carried out exclusively by professionals who have passed the appropriate certification. Simply put, we have a lot of smart people, but this does not mean that your friend or you yourself can install the meter (if you do not have the authority to do so).
Note! Another important point: the specialist must be an employee of the same company that provides you with gas. Otherwise, the device will not be registered, i.e. it will not be registered.
The installation of the gas meter in the apartment itself should be carried out according to the following algorithm.
Stage 1. We contact the help desk of the company that provides us with energy. To do this, we will need at least their contact number, which can be found on the back of the payment receipt (it should arrive every month). We communicate with a specialist and find out which address should be used to submit the appropriate application. We can also find out which office you need to go to.
Stage 2. We come to the gas service at the specified address in order to write an application for the installation of a meter. We take with us the following list of documents:
- Russian passport;
- a receipt indicating that gas bills (for the past month) have been paid;
- a certificate of ownership of the apartment (as an option, a rental agreement is also suitable).
If the living space has several owners at once, then each of them has the right to write such a statement. The employee who accepted the application informs us when a specialist will come to us to carry out preliminary measurements.
Stage 3. We carefully consider the place where the device will be installed. Do not forget that the meter should be located no further than 0.8 meters from the consuming appliance (gas water heater, stove). The installation height is also standardized - this is at least 1.2 meters. There are no other requirements, so we focus more on ease of use. Sometimes the specialists taking measurements themselves determine the location and say, this is where the device will be installed. But this is only his personal opinion, which, of course, may not coincide with ours. Remember: we have the right to independently choose the installation location, but in such a way that key rules are not violated.
Of course, the greater the length of the pipeline before and after the device, the greater the amount you will have to pay for installation and Consumables. Although all this can be discussed directly with the master when he comes for measurements.
Stage 4. On the appointed day we come to the gas service again, pay the cost of the project, as well as installation work. We discuss with the master the date and time when the company’s repair employees will come to us. Everything else should be done exclusively by professionals.
Note! If you wish, you can purchase a meter yourself if, for example, we found out that it costs less than that of the gas service. But in this case, you must first find out what parameters this device should have.
Basic requirements for installation work
Despite the fact that the installation of a gas meter in the apartment will not be carried out by you, you still need to know about the key installation requirements. So, we have already found out that our wishes alone are not enough, since there are certain standards. In addition to the above requirements, there are others.
- Upon completion of installation, the device must be sealed.
- The installation location must not only correspond to the drawn up project, but also be approved by experts from the gas service.
- The installed meter must be certified.
- In the case of welding work, it is necessary to turn off the gas supply not only in the apartment, but also in the entire entrance.
- The work must be carried out by certified experts.
- Finally, safety precautions must be observed.
How much will installation cost?
In principle, any meter is the property of the person who owns the apartment. Consequently, the customer is obliged to reimburse not only the cost of the device, but also installation work. There are a number of factors that can affect the total cost, let's take a look at them:
- how many gas-consuming devices are there in the apartment (water heater, gas stove, boiler);
- length of pipeline for meter output;
- the need (or lack thereof) for welding work;
- whose money the device was purchased for.
If we talk about specific figures, then installing a meter with only a gas stove costs on average from 3,000 to 4,000 rubles.
Note! If the meter is installed for a stove and some other device (for example, a water heater), then the total cost will be twice as high - from 6,000 to 8,000 rubles.
In general, the cost, as it turns out, largely depends on the complexity of the work.
Operating principle and installation diagram of residential heat meters
Previously, we talked about how to choose and install it yourself apartment meter heat, in addition to this article, we advise you to read this information
Principle of operation
There are several categories of counting mechanisms, which are distinguished depending on the activation method:
- vortex;
- turbine;
- rotary;
- membrane
We will not talk about the first three categories, since they are intended for use in enterprises. But membrane-type devices (they are also called chamber or diaphragm) used in public utilities, deserve special attention.
People who want to install a gas meter must know at least in general terms how it works membrane system. In fact, such counters consist of special chambers, which are equipped with “curtains” that open one after the other. Each of these “curtains” is connected - due to the peculiarities of its design - with a special cross-shaped traction mechanism. Let's consider the main stages of the device's operation.
Installation of a communal heating meter
Previously, we talked about what documents are needed and how to independently install a common house heat meter; in addition to this article, we advise you to read this information
- First, gas enters the first chamber, then, after it overflows, it leads to deformation of the diaphragm.
- Next, the diaphragm sets in motion the above-mentioned “curtains”, which, in turn, begin to open in turn, allowing a certain amount of gas to pass into the next chamber, and also close tightly after transferring their contents.
- Under the influence of a mechanical impulse caused by the movement of the “curtains” (when they let in the next dose of gas), the cross mechanism itself begins to move.
- When moving, this mechanism signals a special “star” fixed on it (it rotates exclusively in one direction).
- It is this “star” that notifies the device about how much gas has passed through the system.
The gas, which is supplied to the device through a special pipe, moves from one chamber to the next under the action of displacement force. This process is constantly repeated, i.e. it occurs cyclically. More details in the video below.
Video - How a gas meter works
Criteria for choosing a metering device
So, you have decided to purchase and install such a counter for yourself. What should you pay attention to when choosing, so that installing a gas meter in your apartment brings maximum benefits? Let’s immediately make a reservation that the devices described in the article are divided according to how much gas they are capable of consuming per hour. This parameter determined by studying technical parameters all consuming devices located in the apartment. On average, the consumption of a standard gas stove with four burners is 1.56 cubic meters per hour, while the consumption of a gas water heater is 2.5 cubic meters. And if you add up the total consumption, you can find out what power meter you will need.
Note! When choosing a particular model, do not forget that gas can be supplied to the device both on the right and on the left. And on this moment should be addressed Special attention at the time of buying.
Now a few words about labeling. In this case, it indicates how much gas the device can consume:
- a meter marked G1.6 passes and counts from 1.6 to 2.5 cubic meters per hour;
- G2.5 – from 2.5 to 4 cubic meters;
- G4 – from 4 to 6 cubic meters.
It is worth noting that there are more powerful meters - for example, G10 or G16 - and they are all characterized according to the same principle.
Note! It is imperative to also check the manufacturing date of the purchased model, since the interval between checks of reading devices is determined not by the day of installation, but rather by the day of production. And if more years have passed since testing at the factory than is required before the next inspection, then the user may experience certain difficulties with the service life.
It must be remembered that the interval between tests for old-style gas meters (we are talking about SG) is five years, while for new generation devices this figure is on average twelve years.
Terms of use
After installing a gas meter in an apartment, you need to use it somehow. The operating features of the device are ensured by the degree of filtration of the liquid that passes through it (Gorgaz is required to provide less than 100 microns).
- The temperature of the incoming gas, as well as the temperature in the room, must be within certain limits: from minus 20 to plus 60 degrees.
- It is not necessary that there be a straight section of pipeline before inserting the device.
- A standard device can withstand an increase in flow of about 1/5 (albeit briefly), as well as a short-term increase in pressure of 1/10.
We also note that the meter can be installed both vertically and horizontally. It is only necessary that free access to it be provided.
Taking readings
The procedure for taking readings is not complicated; it consists of only three stages.
Stage 1. Direct withdrawal. Each meter has a reading device, which can have a five-, seven-, or eight-digit mechanism (it all depends on the specific brand). The whole part of the gas volume is separated by a comma, followed by tenths/hundredths. And the first five numbers, going from left to right, are our indicators.
Stage 2. Let's write it down. Let's say we see the following numbers: 00037.023. We do not pay attention to the numbers after the decimal point. We write 37 on the receipt, that is, we also do not pay attention to the zeros. If the data of the last number is between two numbers, then we ourselves decide which one to write down. If these are numbers 0 and 9, then write 9.
Stage 3. We inform you about the readings taken. To do this, we call the gas company's customer service or visit it in person. In some companies, this procedure can be completed online.
When exactly should testimony be submitted? In this matter, you should be guided by the terms of the contract, although in most cases this should be done in the last days of the month. If we do this at a different time, the data will be accepted, but will not be included in the receipt, since the calculation must be made for a full month.
It is worth noting that the gas service has the right to check how accurate the data we transmit is (checks can be carried out once every six months). If the service has any doubts, an examination may be appointed, during which violations on the part of the consumer (if any) may be revealed, and he himself will have to pay for installation/dismantling work, as well as the inspection itself.
Note! As for Maintenance, then it must be carried out at the expense of the company that installed the meter.
Is it necessary to install a meter?
Until recently, installing a gas meter in an apartment was not mandatory. But everything changed in 2009, when a law on mandatory installation of devices was adopted. Moreover, until January 2015, the user could choose the manufacturer of the meter and who would install it. After this date, installation of metering devices should be carried out exclusively by gas supply companies. There is an opinion that such meters may be installed forcibly as early as next year.
