Bord Gáis on a roll....?

AlekSmart

Anybody else get a Dear Customer letter from Bord Gáis Networks concerning their "upgrade" programme for all domestic gas meters over 20 years old ?

What interests me is that in the glossy bilingual leaflet which accompanies the letter,I am advised that.

*When we are replacing your meter with a new meter we will need to turn off your gas supply temporarily.

*Before your gas can be turned back on again,your appliances must pass a safety check,therefore it is essential that there is someone at the premises to allow access to your property.
We will purge your gas service and ensure that your natural gas appliances are operating in a safe manner.

All sounds fair'nuff yes....?

However,the leaflet then advises that...

*We will also be carrying out a safety inspection (I.S. 813 Annex E) This is an extra service we are providing free of charge to our customers to ensure that the internal pipework and natural gas applioances are operating in a safe manner.

What I am now smelling is not Gas,natural or otherwise,but rather a RAT.

The meter replacement programme is no big deal,particularly in the light of recent developments in the area....

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/warning-over-gas-meter-tampering-29398075.html

I would imagine that BGE are on a bit of a fishing expedition here in relation to identifying just how active our by-pass provider actually was.

However,I would be somewhat unsurprised if many householders are suddenly presented with "evidence" of some malaise with their installations which require immediate rectification before the Gas Supply can be reconnected....such rectification work,of course,not being covered by BGE's "Free" Inspection

The term,"nice little earner" springs to mind.....:(

Cuddlesworth

My meter was replaced around 2 months ago, as were three of my neighbors. One had a small gas leak in their boiler which was found in the after check. Since it was a small job, it was repaired free of charge by the installer. She was told had it been bigger, a repair would need to be carried out by a Bord Gas certified technician before the meter would have been turned back on and that they would not be doing it.

Two others were given the all clear, I wasn't able to make myself available to let the installer into my apartment. He asked me to confirm my boiler was working after the install, which I did.

I don't think its a excuse for screwing people, I think its just common sense to stop complaints that they broke boilers or caused leaks themselves. As part of the procedure they need to stress pipes that might not have moved for 20 years.

Cookie_Monster

Since you should be getting your boiler serviced regularly and having pipework checked as well I don't see the big deal.
Leaking gas is a pretty big risk especially if it's internal.

johnnyskeleton

Switching to electricity should soften their cough!

AlekSmart

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Since you should be getting your boiler serviced regularly and having pipework checked as well I don't see the big deal.
Leaking gas is a pretty big risk especially if it's internal.

Boiler replaced 12 months ago,grant aided and all certified.

Previous boiler was 17 years old and running like a clock,only replaced it due to advances in boiler technology.

Very pleased with performance of new system,and equally well versed with the "Boiler Service" aspect of the business,much of which,IMO,is based upon instilling a certain "think" into nervous peoples heads.

Leaking Gas sure is a risk,and no mistake,but thankfully the State is not a Gas explosion ravaged wasteland as of yet,although full marks to BGE for striving to maintain that situation !

I'll be happy to give them whatever access they require,however I think I shall respectfully decline the kind "Offer" of the Free Safety Check thank you very much ?

astrofool

Had this done a few years ago as well, all fine, safety check identified we should have a larger vent in the living room where the fire is, they never recommended anyone and I didn't ask for any names or numbers, was happy with the service.

antoobrien

AlekSmart wrote: »

Boiler replaced 12 months ago,grant aided and all certified.

Boilers should be serviced every year because they are a potentially serious health risk in the home. If something relatively minor goes wrong (small crack) we can get anything from CO buildups to explosions - both of which are kinda life threatening.

hfallada

antoobrien wrote: »

Boilers should be serviced every year because they are a potentially serious health risk in the home. If something relatively minor goes wrong (small crack) we can get anything from CO buildups to explosions - both of which are kinda life threatening.

Its a high margin money maker for Bord Gais. A family friend who has quite a large plumbing business told us its just to make money for Bord Gais. He doesnt see the point of it at all. The chance are a gas leak are very very slim. A modern boiler is designed that you shouldnt have issues for 20 years. Have you ever heard of someones gas boiler leaking and causing a fire. No as it just doesnt happen. You are better off buying a carbon monoxide alarm as carbon monoxide will more than likely kill you rather than leak

antoobrien

hfallada wrote: »

Its a high margin money maker for Bord Gais. A family friend who has quite a large plumbing business told us its just to make money for Bord Gais. He doesnt see the point of it at all

I know a few plumbers (who don't fix gas) that will tell you different, that it is a serious concern.

Btw the standard recommended service period in the UK is also 1 year.

Cuddlesworth

hfallada wrote: »

Its a high margin money maker for Bord Gais. A family friend who has quite a large plumbing business told us its just to make money for Bord Gais. He doesnt see the point of it at all. The chance are a gas leak are very very slim. A modern boiler is designed that you shouldnt have issues for 20 years. Have you ever heard of someones gas boiler leaking and causing a fire. No as it just doesnt happen. You are better off buying a carbon monoxide alarm as carbon monoxide will more than likely kill you rather than leak

Does he offer a 20 year guarantee on all installs?

crock!

hfallada wrote: »

Its a high margin money maker for Bord Gais. A family friend who has quite a large plumbing business told us its just to make money for Bord Gais. He doesnt see the point of it at all. The chance are a gas leak are very very slim. A modern boiler is designed that you shouldnt have issues for 20 years. Have you ever heard of someones gas boiler leaking and causing a fire. No as it just doesnt happen. You are better off buying a carbon monoxide alarm as carbon monoxide will more than likely kill you rather than leak

This picture is from a gas leak in atlone.from a boiler.90 to 120 per year to service and check boiler and pipe work. Why wouldn't ya

verty

My reply didnt post so this is a much shorter version of events.
Ignorant Guy replaces meter claims i have gas leak and all the work i got done is terrible. says ill have to rip up floors etc.
Says i need call out RGI to get certified again. After writing out hazard notice and cutting me off he ask do i know any RGI basically im sure he was going to help me out if needed one. Told him id find one and got him out my door. Got onto a few people who could get me a lad that wouldnt look to screw me as i knew all work done was good.

Lad called out checked all appliances and drop in pressure was only 0.4 as opposed to 2.5 as quoted by bord gais guy.

Be a long time before i use up my day off obliging bord gais again i tell you

verty

he issued me with cert and reconnected me again btw

cml387

I had a problem with gas pressure into the house, which finally ended with very little gas on the cooker on Monday evening. The central heating was a non starter.

I called Bord Gais at seven pm. A guy called an hour (one hour) later. He changed the regulator and meter in 3 quarters of an hour.

That's pretty good service.

BG use local fitters BTW and if you have a problem with a fitter you should let BG know.

verty

The term nice little earner for his mate springs to mind for me!!!!!!!!

I will be making as little contact with BG as possible in the future. He cut off me heat and ability to cook and cost me callout fee in getting my the work recertified when there was no issue.

n97 mini

Had it done about 2 months ago aswell.

I think the safety check is genuinely that, and not a bad idea.

The new meters have GSM or 3G and the meter can be read remotely or gas can be cut off remotely. Or so I'm told by an RGI.