Mandated Water And Gas Meter Updates: What To Expect
As a homeowner, you are merely borrowing your water and gas meters and paying for the services they provide. Even though they are attached to your home, they are property of the utility companies they represent. As such, you can expect every one to two decades for these companies to notify you of changes. Water and gas meters need to be updated as the technology updates. If you have recently been notified by the water and gas companies that your meters will be updated on such-and-such date, here is what you can expect.
The Utilities Are Shut Off
Each utility in turn that utilizes a meter and that will be installing a newer meter will shut off that utility. If you want that hot shower on that day, you best take it early in the morning before the gas and water are turned off. (If you have an electric water heater, you only have to worry about the water shutting off.) With the utilities turned off, the technicians begin removing the respective meters.
Removing a Meter
When removing a utility meter, the technician first uncouples the meter couplings. The couplings connect the meter to the utility pipes. The meter registers the amount of water or gas that are passing through the pipes and the pipe that runs past or through the meter itself. Once the meter couplings are undone, the meter itself lifts out of position rather easily. If it does have some electrical wiring involved, the technician disconnects this as well.
Installing the New Meter
Installing the new meter is often just a reversal of the process the technician just did to remove the old meter. There might be some added electrical wiring, since modern meters have digital readouts and WiFi connectivity. However, the installation process does not take that long at all.
Turning the Utility on Again
Once the meter is installed and calibrated for accuracy, the technician turns on the gas or water again. He or she may watch the meter for a few minutes to make sure it is registering use of the utility, and then the job is complete. You do not need to be at home for any of this, unless your meter is inside your home for some odd reason. The entire job, for any utility meter replacement, takes no more than twenty minutes to complete, so long as the couplings are easily loosened and there is nothing extra that needs repair.
For more information, contact companies like Buy Wholesale Company.