I got Gas

[polexican23]

I got a gas meter that is in my garage. Whenever they built this small 10x25ft attached garage they kept the gas meter inside the garage, with a small viewing window cut into the side of the garage.

Any thoughts or experience with getting ones of these moved to another location? An alreayd small garage doesnt need this junk taking up space.

 

[Highbeam]

The meter and regulator are in the garage? Wow, those things can burp and even leak gas so be careful not to blow up!

 

[rlitman]

He didn't mention a regulator. My friend just bought a house with the gas meter and regulator in the basement. The regulator's vent is hard piped to the outside.

Getting the meter moved can be a big deal.

 

[Highbeam]

He didn't mention a regulator.

I know, that's why I asked. I have never seen them separate but it could be possible.

 

[bczygan]

Don't ask us. Call your gas co.

Most want the meter outside, so they are glad to move them. Does this serve the house? Is there an outside area on the other side of the garage wall where it is located? That would make the move easier.

 

[polexican23]

Yes serves the house. There is tons of room around the whole property this thing could have been placed. No clue why it is there.
Called gas co, got the run around.

 

[porschedude996TT]

Maybe call the Fire Department...

 

[polexican23]

regulator is outside, meter inside.
Nicor says that at a minimum it would be $372.56
Blah

 

[jumpingryan]

I got a gas meter that is in my garage. Whenever they built this small 10x25ft attached garage they kept the gas meter inside the garage, with a small viewing window cut into the side of the garage.

Any thoughts or experience with getting ones of these moved to another location? An alreayd small garage doesnt need this junk taking up space.

Really weird... but then there is some interesting construction out there!

As long as the regulator vents to the outside, things should be good. The gas company MAY do a free inspection of your whole system on request. If it fails, their responsibility is generally to the meter, and they would probably have to pay to move it.

But how does the meter get read? If they can't read it remotely, and they can read it physically because the garage is closed, they generally have to do an estimate....

I would key an eye on your bill, and watch for if you have read or estimated meter readings. I have heard stories of people having over a year's worth of estimated readings on services like hydro, and ending up with a huge bill.

When I had natural gas at a previous residence, I used to report it online after physically reading it...... later on they enabled remote reading for hydro and gas, and later water.

R

 

[G_P]

He said they cut a viewing window in the garage so it can be read.

Sent via carrier pigeon.

 

[jerryd68]

close up the viewing window if they dont want to move it to where it can be read!

 

[vjlobel]

Back in the 90s my brother had his gas meter moved on his house down in Will County so he could build a garage.....gave the guys a case of beer and the bill mysteriously got lost.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Code allows for gas meters inside homes.

There are lots of homes in cities where the gas meter is in the basement and the gas company has a key to the door. When I was in college, we'd hear a bang at the back door, a guy would yell "METER READER!" and he'd be down stairs, up the stairs and back out before we could get off the couch.

That being said...I wouldn't have a gas meter in my house or garage. I'd pay the $300 if that's what it took.

If you can, post a couple of pictures that show the regulator outside and the meter inside. I'm trying to figure out how they did that. If I can spot any safety issues on the gas side, I'll let you know. Might help you some.

Phil

 

[KPSquared]

I lived in a really old house in town, the meter was in the basement. Fortunately, the meter reader was seriously hot. Now everything is wireless here. The meter reader just stops at the bottom of the driveway for 30 seconds, takes a reading, then moves on to the next house.

It's not a big deal to have it inside. If you're worried about it, build a nice cage or box around it to protect it and if that doesn't suit your fancy, fork over the $372.56. . .

 

[Hephaestus29]

The Gas company might be a bit expensive, I would get an estimate from a business owner in the yellow pages. On the other hand, if you argue that it's dangerous the gas company might move it for free.

 

[polexican23]

Only local gas company can move it I am told. Here is the kicker, Nicor came out. Said it isnt dangerous and ***** that they kept it inside. They could move it outside for $400.
But where they are gong to move it is just outside the wall where......i plan and running the extended driveway to the garage we are planning. If i do proceed with the garage, they said they would have to move the entire meter/regulator to the front or otherside of house. that would cost about 2K.