Gas meter boxes – what are they?

Gas meter boxes provide a method for smart meter installation, allowing your meter to be positioned safely and protecting against burglary, weather damage, or gas leaks.

The option to have your smart meter positioned outside the house can be beneficial, with gas meter boxes providing the safest means of achieving this. Let’s take a look at how gas meter boxes work and assess the types available, including their pros and cons.

A comprehensive guide on how to read different types of gas meters can be found here:

Recessed, surface-mounted, and semi-concealed

The three main types are simple enough, and you can guess their position from their names: recessed boxes are installed in cavities; surface-mounted boxes are surface-mounted, typically on an accessible point outside; and semi-concealed boxes are also positioned on outside walls, this time partially in the ground.

Recessed boxes are an ideal option for those trying to avoid obstructions; however, they will require a pre-existing cavity or a new one to be made. You may also have an extension built in which your gas meter box will be installed.

Surface-mounted boxes are quite the opposite, protruding around 250mm from the wall on which they are installed. This is worth keeping in mind if you try to install it in a narrow alleyway, for example. Professional installers will typically advise you on the best gas meter box for your situation, assessing the available space beforehand. You can find helpful gas meter box advice online.

Finally, semi-concealed boxes work as a kind of middle ground between the previous two options: you can install them on an outer wall whilst also concealing them within the ground. Again, the biggest concern is potential obstructiveness, but experts will assess your property before committing to any of these options.

Criteria

For a rough idea of the best and worst spots for a gas meter box, we have put together some criteria. The box should not cause obstructions; be positioned above manholes, drains, or electricity meters; be directly under electricity meters or open windows; or be inaccessible in cases of emergency.