Noisy home appliances are always annoying.
It becomes even more worrisome when it comes to sensitive appliances like gas meters.
You must be concerned about this noise.
Why is your gas meter making a whistling noise?
Gas approaches the valve, which reduces pressure at an enormous speed. That’s when it makes the noise. The valve may not keep the average pressure in this case. But in most cases, a gas meter whistling is quite normal.
We’re sure you’re still concerned about this issue. That’s why we’ve provided all the information you need in our article.
Let’s get started!
Is It Dangerous If the Meter Makes Whistling Noise
Generally, gas meters aren’t dangerous because the whole gas measurement and mechanism system are inside a secured metal compartment.
The meter has seals to prevent any leakage as well. So even if a disruption occurs, the housing system will still contain gas without leaking.
So, in most cases, you don’t even need to be worried about the noise. But it’s better to know the reasons behind it. Here are three common reasons behind gas meters making noise.
Plastic Components
All types of gas meters have moving parts in them. All these moving parts are mostly made of plastic components because plastic components are best designed to use with natural gas.
Natural gas sometimes contains traces of other gases. This mixture can cause damage to the plastic parts.
These damaged plastic parts are what create the problems. And that’s why you hear these squeaking sounds.
Metal Clinging
Sometimes the metal components inside your gas meter cling to each other, creating a squeaking sound. Metal clinging is also a reason for furnaces overheating.
Pressure Change
Another reason is valve disruption. The pressure rate can change inside the meter, making noise.
This noise intensifies if your gas meter is located inside your home.
But in most cases, the noise is quite normal. There are other reasons for your gas meter not working correctly.
The gas utility company is the owner of the meter. You should notify them of any problem you face regarding their product. Their technician will fix the meter or replace the noisy one with a new one.
How To Identify That The Noise Is Dangerous
A gas meter making whistling noise is generally not a problem. But there are chances it could be a threat. To understand that, you’ll need to troubleshoot your meter.
Here’s what you need to do-
Step 1: Locate The Dials Of The meter
Find the gas meter and look for the dial on the screen. The row on the screen contains numbers 0 through 9, the dial of the meter.
Step 2: Work from Left to Right
Always start reading from the left, then move to the right, no matter what meter you use. After reading the dials from left to right, write down the number you get. The proper reading is the lowest number if the hand on one of the dials is between two numbers.
Step 3: Calculate the Amount of Gas You Use
To calculate the amount of gas, you’ll need two readings. A starting reading determines a baseline number.
The second reading determines your final task, conducted several days apart.
The amount of gas flowing through the meter is calculated by subtracting the baseline measurement from the final reading.
You know your usage as you are done with the meter reading. This is the usage the gas meter has recorded. Generally, the measurement is done in cubic feet.
You can check bills to determine what unit your company uses as a measurement. If the gas reading exceeds the bill consumption, there’s a problem. You may have leakage in the system.
Leakage can be a problem as sometimes it creates air admittance disturbance through valves. So only at this time the whistle noise is a concern for you.
How To Identify If Gas Is Leaking From The Meter
It’s important to know if gas is leaking. So you need to be able to identify the leak. There are two ways to check for that.
If the gas leaks, you’ll be able to smell it. So this will be your cue to all for help.
Another way to check for the leak is to test it. First, take some dishwashing liquid and mix it with water. Brush the mixture onto the joints. If you see bubbles are creating, you leak.
What To Do If Your Gas Meter Is Leaking
If you discover that your gas meter is leaking, you should do a few things immediately. The leak could be inside or outside the house, so act accordingly. Just follow the instructions correctly for your safety.
Leakage Outside The House
If the gas meter leaks outside the house, evacuate the whole area immediately. Call emergency help from the police or fire service.
Leakage Inside The House
If the leak is within your home, make sure everyone is out. It’s also a good idea to evacuate your neighbors if possible.
Both actions should be taken if you have visible proof of the damage. Like if you can hear the sound of the escaping gas loudly. Or if you can smell the gas vibrantly. Just like when you should take action if your oven smells like a dead mouse.
Natural gas that isn’t managed can swiftly explode, posing a fire hazard. As a result, never attempt to diagnose a gas leak on your own. The small act of flipping a switch may cause the most undesirable in this situation. So, be aware and follow all the things we have mentioned.
For your safety, you should place smoke alarms near the heater. This will help you in situations like this. Here are some of our recommended ones if you can’t find the right one-
| Product 1 | |
| Product 2 |
With that, we’ve come to the very end of this discussion. This should be sufficient to help you understand the noise your meter is making and act accordingly.
FAQs
Can a gas leak make a noise?
You may hear sounds if gas is coming from a pipe, appliance, or behind a wall.
Can a flexible gas line also make a whistling sound?
It can as the materials are not wide enough.
How much may it cost to fix a small gas leak?
It should average between $120 to $250, including labour costs.