Gas meter bypass
Discussion
Assuming that you're a decent, law abiding person, once somebody offers to install a totally illegal gas meter bypass at your property and you've politely turned it down, would you:
1) feel that they're installing illegal and potentially dangerous modifications to gas mains with the attendant risks of explosions and fires. These are the sorts of things one thinks about. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-4363191... or https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-6... This is in addition to the blatant theft of gas you know they're committing (because they were boasting about the one they've installed at their own home), and they're enabling, because they're selling these conversions as a service. You would therefore inform somebody (Cadent? Police? Who would you actually call?).
2) believe that other people's criminality isn't yours to deal with, you would MYOB and do nothing.
1) feel that they're installing illegal and potentially dangerous modifications to gas mains with the attendant risks of explosions and fires. These are the sorts of things one thinks about. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-4363191... or https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-6... This is in addition to the blatant theft of gas you know they're committing (because they were boasting about the one they've installed at their own home), and they're enabling, because they're selling these conversions as a service. You would therefore inform somebody (Cadent? Police? Who would you actually call?).
2) believe that other people's criminality isn't yours to deal with, you would MYOB and do nothing.
On the basis that dodgy gas modifications have a tendency to go bang and kill innocent people, including kids, this is one I wouldn't let pass by and somehow I would anonymously let someone know. I'm not that bothered about people watching skysports on dodgy fire sticks, but mucking around with gas supplies isn't without consequences to innocent people...If you knew your semi-detached neighbour had a dodgy supply, could you sleep peacefully in your own bed?
Easternlight said:
Can't imagine your gas consumption suddenly dropping to zero wouldn't ring a few alarm bells with the supplier?
Presumably if you're ok with installing a meter bypass, you're also ok with a couple of valves to make sure that you can send some of the usage through the meter.In answer to the OP - Cadent, here.
1. It's not just the 
who's making the dodgy bypass, it could affect anyone living with them along with neighbours and nearby homes. If something were to happen and I'd kept quiet I'm not sure how well I'd sleep at night. Likewise if someone living near me or my family was doing this I'd hope they'd get reported.
who's making the dodgy bypass, it could affect anyone living with them along with neighbours and nearby homes. If something were to happen and I'd kept quiet I'm not sure how well I'd sleep at night. Likewise if someone living near me or my family was doing this I'd hope they'd get reported.AyBee said:
Presumably if you're ok with installing a meter bypass, you're also ok with a couple of valves to make sure that you can send some of the usage through the meter.
In answer to the OP - Cadent, here.
Or blah it that you've gone to immersion and self installed some split AC heat pump units.In answer to the OP - Cadent, here.
mr rusty said:
On the basis that dodgy gas modifications have a tendency to go bang and kill innocent people, including kids, this is one I wouldn't let pass by and somehow I would anonymously let someone know. I'm not that bothered about people watching skysports on dodgy fire sticks, but mucking around with gas supplies isn't without consequences to innocent people...If you knew your semi-detached neighbour had a dodgy supply, could you sleep peacefully in your own bed?
ARH said:
If I lived in a house attached to another house that had one of these mods fitted, I would be mentioning it to the gas people. If the mod causes an explosion that would not affect me apart from a bit of noise I would not give a dam.
These are the responses I find interesting. Why would you not worry about someone else's child being blown up and dying? Could you really have that on your conscience if it happens? The definitely installed bypass is nowhere near my house; however, given the conversation, I'm certain that there are others in the locality. The worrying thing is, even if the installer is caught, finding where the other installations are is going to be a near impossible task.
Easternlight said:
Can't imagine your gas consumption suddenly dropping to zero wouldn't ring a few alarm bells with the supplier?
If you avoid having a smart meter most companies will go a very long time before saying they want to physically check a meter and will allow customers to self report them as long as they keep them relatively believable. I'd report, but I'd leave it a month or two otherwise it might be obvious who it was. Those sorts of people are probably quite capable of some nasty retribution.
QuickQuack said:
The definitely installed bypass is nowhere near my house; however, given the conversation, I'm certain that there are others in the locality. The worrying thing is, even if the installer is caught, finding where the other installations are is going to be a near impossible task.
They could do as mentioned, pull a list of every property with reduced usage within (say) 10 miles of the person and visit to inspect the meter. It might need re-doing a year later to catch recent jobs.Edited by Gareth79 on Monday 5th January 18:36
Gareth79 said:
I'd report, but I'd leave it a month or two otherwise it might be obvious who it was. Those sorts of people are probably quite capable of some nasty retribution.
That's a good point, thanks. I can't afford to be conspicuous about this due to risk of retribution. QuickQuack said:
The definitely installed bypass is nowhere near my house; however, given the conversation, I'm certain that there are others in the locality. The worrying thing is, even if the installer is caught, finding where the other installations are is going to be a near impossible task.
They could do as mentioned, pull a list of every property with reduced usage within (say) 10 miles of the person and visit to inspect the meter. It might need re-doing a year later to catch recent jobs.Edited by Gareth79 on Monday 5th January 18:36
Jamescrs said:
Easternlight said:
Can't imagine your gas consumption suddenly dropping to zero wouldn't ring a few alarm bells with the supplier?
If you avoid having a smart meter most companies will go a very long time before saying they want to physically check a meter and will allow customers to self report them as long as they keep them relatively believable. Easternlight said:
Can't imagine your gas consumption suddenly dropping to zero wouldn't ring a few alarm bells with the supplier?
Not at all, i work over seas and constantly back and forth, i use lots during winter then when im away i use very little, nothing every said, i just pay for what i use and thats that, never been questioned about the variance of my usage, ever!!Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff