Accounting for consumed utility resources is a necessary condition for the development of a reasonable energy saving system. Installing a gas meter is a mandatory procedure for apartment and house owners, but under certain conditions. Knowledge and compliance with the current rules will allow you to install the IPU without extra costs and avoid problems with the sales organization.
Is it necessary to install a gas meter?
The transition of the Russian utility system to full accounting of consumed resources began about ten years ago as a result of the need to restore order in this area. Federal Law No. 261-FZ dated November 23, 2009 was developed and adopted, requiring owners of residential and commercial premises to equip their facilities with individual meters for metering resource consumption. The requirement also applied to household gas supply systems.
According to Federal Law 261, a deadline was set - January 1, 2021, after which all apartments and houses must be equipped with an IPU. Due to the occurrence of delays and various problems that increased the excitement around the installation of gas meters, Federal Law No. 269-FZ dated December 25, 2012 was adopted: the period for installing flow meters was extended for owners of residential premises. Each owner of a real estate property is required to equip the utility supply system with a metering mechanism before January 1, 2021.
There have also been innovations in other parts of the legislation. Starting in 2021, organizations involved in supplying gas to consumers have the right to compulsorily install meters in houses and apartments. Expenses are gradually recovered from the owner of the residential premises. The owner may interfere with installation or refuse to pay for the work, so sales companies are allowed to go to court.
Stages of work
At the appointed time, gas service employees will arrive and shut off the gas with the consent of the utility services, having notified all residents in advance.
Then the gas meter is removed, the pipes are moved according to the diagram and the meter is installed back. After work, the tightness of all connections is checked and the absence of leaks is recorded. If a leak is detected, then the seams are welded again.
Then a work completion certificate is drawn up, which is signed by each party. If the work has not been paid for in advance, then the customer is given another receipt, which will need to be paid.
All work by professionals usually takes from 30 minutes to several hours.
How much does it cost to install a gas meter in 2021
Refusal to install is not an obstacle for the sales company to force the installation of the device. It is more advisable to engage specialized organizations to install the meter yourself: this procedure will save you from unnecessary expenses.
In 2021, the cost of equipping a household gas supply system may have a significant difference as a result of many factors. Current prices:
- A standard installation process, which does not require changes to the gas pipeline, costs between 3–5 thousand rubles.
- If there is a separate arrangement of consumption devices (column, stove, boiler), the work costs more - 6-10 thousand rubles.
- Connections that involve moving gas appliances or re-equipping the system require drawing up a project. The installation price can vary from 8 to 20 thousand rubles and more.
The meter is purchased at the expense of the owner. The price of the device varies significantly: the cost is affected by the brand, manufacturer and additional functions. The type of apparatus may have an impact on the final cost of the work. It is advisable to agree in advance on a suitable model with the organization performing the installation.
It is necessary to avoid companies that offer to install or change a meter at a low price or, conversely, inflate the cost of work under threat of fines. The process can only be trusted by trusted specialized organizations.
Replace the electric meter in an apartment: sequence of actions
The following data must be entered into the act:
- Device name, brand, serial number, series, year of manufacture, measurement accuracy class.
- Number of the feeder to which the connection was made.
- Latest readings from the old device.
- Initial readings at the time of installation of the new device.
- Dates of the last verification of the old and new meters.
- Installation date.
- Reason for replacing the device.
- Last name, first name, patronymic of the person authorized to install and seal the meter.
- Seal number and information about the organization that verified the device.
Nuances of the procedure If some time passes from the moment the seal is removed from the old meter until the new one is installed and sealed, then during this period the electricity payment will be calculated to you at average tariffs using a coefficient.
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Is it possible to install for free?
Federal law and Government Decrees require owners of private houses and apartments to re-equip their household gas pipelines. Due to the fairly high cost, which has a significant impact on the family budget, not all categories of citizens can meet the deadline.
There are several options that significantly ease the financial burden:
- Free for council housing tenants. If a sales organization makes a claim against a person living in an apartment, it is necessary to contact the municipality with a written complaint.
- Installment plan based on Federal Law No. 261. The option provides distribution of costs for a period of up to 5 years. You need to apply to the gas distribution company. Repayment involves making equal shares at the refinancing rate of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. Early repayment is possible.
It is a common belief that gas meters are installed free of charge for pensioners. Indeed, in some regions of Russia there is a provision that provides compensation for part of the installation cost of IPU for a preferential category of citizens. You will have to pay more often, because reimbursement is based on the costs incurred. The exact list of persons included in the list can be found in the social protection department of a particular territory.
Attention! Gas supply organizations often launch their own programs that allow conversions to be carried out at lower prices. You need to track current offers on the companies’ official website.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
In the video below, gas company employees once again remind you that before purchasing a kitchen set, it is necessary to clarify the possibility of moving the meter and obtain official consent:
If you are planning to move a gas meter, you need to get full advice from a professional gas fitter. An independent search for options may result in non-compliance with the rules and failure to obtain approval.
The work must be carried out by certified specialists using tools and welding machines with permission. All controversial issues should be resolved based on SNiP 42-01-2002, SP 42-101-2003.
If you are about to renovate your kitchen or are in doubt about the correct location for a gas flow meter, ask questions and exchange opinions. The form below allows you not only to create text messages, but also to attach diagrams, sketches, and drawings. Start a dialogue, become an initiator of discussion!
Flow meter installation rules
There are a number of standards that must be observed to ensure proper installation of gas IPU:
- Accurate selection of the meter itself. The device must be certified and have State verification seals. Damage and lack of supporting documents are not allowed. It is taken into account that the verification period is calculated from the date indicated in the product passport.
- Coordination of installation location. It is recommended to invite a specialist from the gas supply company. The location site must meet the requirements of RF PP No. 549 of July 21, 2008 and RF PP No. 354.
- The installation distance is maintained. The height from the floor should be more than 1.2 cm, the distance from the slab should be at least 40–80 cm. There should be a gap of 5–6 cm from the wall surface.
According to the standards, the minimum distance from the meter to the device consuming gas (furnace, dispenser, boiler) is 800 mm, but in some cases it is allowed to install the IPU no closer than 400 mm
- Compliance with fire safety standards. Experts turn off the gas supply.
- When installing outdoors, it is necessary to ensure the safety of the flow meter, so the metering device is placed in a protective box.
- Any changes to the gas pipeline system must be coordinated and approved by the relevant project.
If the rules are not followed, restoration and putting the system in order is paid by the owner of the premises.
Required documents
Before installing a gas metering mechanism, you need to take into account that the general procedure consists of several successive stages. A different list of information is required.
To fill out an application, which will allow you to perform a complete inventory of the heated area (required if you have a boiler), the following documents are needed:
- A certificate confirming ownership of the premises.
- For private homeownership, an additional certificate for land will be required.
- Identification document of the owner.
To install a meter, it is necessary to obtain approval. You need to prepare:
- Technical passport or other replacement document.
- A document confirming the identity of the owner of the object.
- Certificate that comes with the purchased meter.
- Payment receipt for the last billing month. It may be necessary to obtain information about the absence of debt.
- Documents confirming ownership of an object, land or construction permit.
- House book or certificate of family composition.
- Act received after inventory.
- Maintenance contract.
The list of documents may be smaller if the meter is simply installed in an apartment with a stove or a stove and a column.
Installation procedure
The scheme of work is not complicated if the installation is carried out by specialists from the sales company. The instructions include the following sequence of actions:
- An application is submitted (a sample is on the official website) to the territorial branch of the gas distribution organization (utility service provider), through the “Single Window” service or the subscriber department. A complete list of documents is attached.
There is no single application form for the entire territory of the Russian Federation for installing a gas meter; this form is approved at the local level and may differ by region - A company employee contacts the owner or authorized person and agrees on the date and time of the visit.
- A specialist arrives at the appointed time and conducts a technical assessment of the installation site. The nuances are clarified and the appropriate meter model is determined.
- At the specified time, an installation team will arrive at the specified address to carry out the work. When placing the mechanism on the street, the installation of a protective box is carried out for a fee.
- The flow meter is registered and sealed. The device is registered, which is reflected in the next monthly receipt.
The contract for the provision of services is most often concluded on the spot, and the rules for depositing funds are explained to the user. If the installation is carried out by another licensed company, you must notify the supplying organization. A company representative must be present during installation. In such a situation, a separate application for sealing the meter is submitted.
How does commissioning take place?
The Energy Saving Law stipulates that after completion of installation work, the numeral device is checked. So, employees of Gorgaz (the company that installed) check the following indicators:
- correct installation;
- compliance with safety regulations;
- no idle speed;
- possible risk of leaks;
- accuracy of resource consumption measurements.
After the inspection, an inspection report is prepared, which shows the absence of deficiencies and the day of the first inspection.
From this date, the further period of verification of the gas meter after installation will be determined (5 or 10 years, depending on the type and characteristics of the device).
Sealing and checking the meter
When drawing up the report, the inspector records the testimony and seals it. The seals are purchased by the owner of the apartment where the structure is being built. If it is not possible to place seals immediately during installation, you can extend the period (but not more than five days).
Is it possible to install the device yourself?
Doing the work yourself is a great opportunity to save money, but the process is not allowed if gas meters are being installed. Installation is associated with great risk, affecting not only those living in the house or apartment, but also third parties.
There is no option for self-installation. This is further enshrined in the Decree of the State Construction Committee of the Russian Federation dated September 27, 2003 No. 170, clause 5.5. The law states that only specialized organizations can be involved in the work. When hiring a third-party licensed company, the installation process must be agreed upon with the gas supply company.
Security measures
IMPORTANT!
Do not try to move the gas meter yourself, this is strictly prohibited! Only employees of specialized organizations can perform gas work. Violators face serious fines.
After carrying out the work, carefully monitor the operation of the meter. You can even check for gas leaks yourself, for example, using a soap solution. If you suspect a leak, then immediately call the emergency gas service at 04.
