13.1.1 Advantages of Gas

The advantages of gas can be summarized as:

1. Reliable fuel of constant composition;

2. Used as required (does not have to be ordered in advance or stored on the users' premises);

3. Clean fuel-emissions are low compared with combustion of most other fossil fuels.

13.1.2 Availability

Mains gas is widely available throughout the mainland of the United Kingdom and in the Isle of Wight. Thinly populated rural areas, particularly in Scotland, Wales, and south-west England, do not have access to mains gas although liquid petroleum gas from a central supply may be available. All major industrial areas are within the gas supply area, and less than 15% of domestic dwellings are outside this area.

13.1.3 Metering

Payment for gas consumed is made based on the consumption as registered on a meter. Meters used for billing purposes are checked for accuracy and badged by the Ofgem. These meters are known as primary meters. Those used by the user for monitoring the consumption of plant, etc. are known as check meters (often erroneously referred to as secondary meters).

Gas is metered in both cubic feet and in cubic metres. It is then billed to the gas customer in kilowatt hours. 1 therm = 105.56 MJ = 100 000 Btu's = 29.31 kWh.

The meter location should be located as close as is sensibly practicable...