Earth bond a gas meter
Earth Bonding Gas Meter Cost Guide
Since 2008, earth bonding has been a legal requirement for homes where there is an electrical unit in rooms containing a bath or shower. It's essential in ensuring that your gas and water pipes and electrics are safe. Earth bonding your gas meter costs an average of £470, but we'll go into the specifics in our guide.
What is earth bonding?
Earth bonding is when an electrician uses thick green and yellow copper cable to connect your gas meter or consumer unit to incoming supplies, usually your gas pipe. The electrician will clamp the metal pipes within 2 feet of where they enter the building.
This process ensures that your boiler and radiators are earthed properly and reduces the risk of faulty metal pipework becoming live.
How much does earth bonding my gas meter cost?
On average, earth bonding your gas meter will cost £470. However, it will depend on a few factors, like how easy your pipes and electrics are to access, and where you are in the country. HaMuch has a large database of hourly and daily rates for electricians across the UK, so take a look at those costs to get an idea of how much labour may set you back.
How do I know if I already have earth bonding?
To see if your gas meter is already earth bonded, go and take a look at its pipework. If you already have earth bonding, you'll see a green and yellow cable attached to it.
Who is responsible for earth bonding a gas meter?
Homeowners are responsible for earth bonding their gas meter rather than their energy company or the gas board. An electrician will carry out this work, but depending on what pipes need to be earth bonded, you may require a plumber too.
Is earth bonding required even with an RCD?
Yes, earth bonding is still required even with an RCD (residual current device). An RCD shuts off the electricity if an electrical appliance develops a fault, reducing the risk of shocks from the appliance, but earth bonding protects metal pipework from becoming live, so they do two different things to keep you and your family safe.
Can I earth bond my gas meter myself?
Under no circumstances should you try to carry out earth bonding to your gas meter yourself. Electricity and water do not mix and there could be fatal consequences if you try to carry out this work when you don't know what you're doing.
Plus, it's against the law to tamper with your gas meter, so it's vital that you ask an electrician to carry out this work for you, and they may need the assistance of a Gas Safe registered engineer.