Hid my meter

Jersey2

Maybe it is because it is new to me, but my meter looks butt ugly to me. Like a spider robot. So I just finished a portable lattice that I put in front of it. Doesn't it look better with the lattice?

mattmia2

i believe the utility has some rules about this

Dave Carpentier

I used to hate when people "hid" telephone splice boxes in such a way to make it difficult/impossible to work at them. And shrubs. But if you can do it while still allowing access, then thats cool.
You did say "portable", so that would work fine (well, maybe not up here .. it would be frozen stuck to the ground in winter !)
It definitely does look better with the lattice.

PC7060

 I like the concept but why so big? Seems like 3” wide would be plenty.  

STEVEusaPA

Looks like a meter highlighter. Looks worse.

reggi

Yeah but the photos are out of whack (to me) The tree on the left is missing , The weather vane in the yard is moved from near the meter and missing tree towards the front of the chimney and probably more if I look..... How long apart were the photos taken ?

mattmia2

very different perspective

Dave Carpentier

reggi said:

Yeah but the photos are out of whack (to me)

The downspout by the door shows the angle change between the two pics.
The tree on the left would still be there, just out of the pic.

metrorental

since you've asked, i think it looks much better without the lattice screen. perhaps, instead, you could plant some bushes in front of the meter, or paint the meter to blend in better.

ChrisJ

Agreed.
Better without it.

MaxMercy

Dave Carpentier said:

I used to hate when people "hid" telephone splice boxes in such a way to make it difficult/impossible to work at them. And shrubs. But if you can do it while still allowing access, then thats cool.

LOL, then you would hate me. I was in the alarm business, and what I did was remove the phone wire from the splice box and locate it through my foundation about a foot under ground (all utilities under ground). I then replaced the original phone wire with a fake that connected to my alarm system.

Back in 1993 when I built my home, there was no cell service for alarm panels, just radio which was expensive and unreliable, and cutting the phone line was a common way to defeat central station notification. Sure, the local siren went off if the phone wire was cut but my nearest neighbor probably wouldn't hear my siren, particularly in winter.

So if someone cut my "phone" wire, central station would be notified through the buried hidden wire.


,

HVACNUT

The lattice draws your eye to it. It looks out of place. The meter blends better.

Jersey2

The picture with the lattice is more straight on, without I was more to the right. It really does make it look like the trees and things moved. I prefer the lattice, but it is interesting hearing what others prefer. I got one gas bill thus far but no gas reader came over. I assume they don't come out in person to read the meter. Up close the meter is easily readable through the holes. I used the full 8' so it is offset. The large meter right in the middle to me is an eye sore.

Jersey2

It is easy to move, a block leaning no each upward angled board on the bottom holds it, and the boards on the top keeps the space. It leans towards the house which the picture doesn't really show. So just gravity holds it. If the gas company says it isn't allowed I can carry it off in 10 seconds.

DanHolohan

How about a concrete dog (or two)? No vet bills.

MaxMercy

Maybe if the lattice was more of a brick color?

ChrisJ

MaxMercy said:

Maybe if the lattice was more of a brick color?

I think it would look better if he printed out a brick wall with a gas meter in front of it and glued it to the lattice.

HomerJSmith

That looks like a transmitting meter. The old type meter was probably switched out. It really doesn't have to be that accessible to be read. They read it by driving down the street.

As stated, I would paint it so it would blend in with the house.

Dave Carpentier

More colour matched like that ?
(not fancy, just ran it thru Gimp)

PC7060

Jersey2 said:

The picture with the lattice is more straight on, without I was more to the right. It really does make it look like the trees and things moved. I prefer the lattice, but it is interesting hearing what others prefer. I got one gas bill thus far but no gas reader came over. I assume they don't come out in person to read the meter. Up close the meter is easily readable through the holes. I used the full 8' so it is offset. The large meter right in the middle to me is an eye sore.

Gas meter from the last 15-20 year are wirelessly read from a moving vehicle

JUGHNE

Some people can't even get hooked to gas in certain places....you're lucky to get one.

And count your blessings that you do not have an old one in your basement.

IMO, meters are like noses, everyone has one.
Only if one looks too long is there a problem.....or something obvious hanging.

EdTheHeaterMan

STEVEusaPA said:

Looks like a meter highlighter. Looks worse.

ChrisJ said:

Agreed.
Better without it.

HVACNUT said:

The lattice draws your eye to it. It looks out of place. The meter blends better.

Another example of If you don't follow the way I think it should be, then you are wrong and should be admonished or censored. but that is the way of the woke generation this country is leaning towards.

ChrisJ

EdTheHeaterMan said:

Looks like a meter highlighter. Looks worse.

Agreed. Better without it.

The lattice draws your eye to it. It looks out of place. The meter blends better.

Another example of If you don't follow the way I think it should be, then you are wrong and should be admonished or censored. but that is the way of the woke generation this country is leaning towards.

Not really.
It's an example of our opinions are different.

I would like to think that's allowed.

At least you thought my joke was funny.

MaxMercy

Would the gas company allow painting the meter to match the house I wonder?

EdTheHeaterMan

MaxMercy said:

Would the gas company allow painting the meter to match the house I wonder?

I have seen many meters painted the color of the house. I never heard of a fine or charge or penalty for making your meter brown or blue or even pink. Just don't paint over the little plastic window.

Jersey2

It's pretty cool that it transmits and doesn't need to be directly read. And with the meter hidden or not hidden, nobody even looks or thinks about it to be honest except the home owner. How many houses have garbage and recycle bins in their front yard that we even notice. A new idea, I can put my recycle bins in front of it hehe

hot_rod

Or this

ratio

hot_rod said:

Or this

You can't make this stuff up!

Solid_Fuel_Man

@hot_rod that is one of those new super efficient brick split systems. Made so well they covered it with brick! Would stick out in front of clapboard though.....

hot_rod

Trompe l'oeil

HVACNUT

EdTheHeaterMan said:

Looks like a meter highlighter. Looks worse.

Agreed. Better without it.

The lattice draws your eye to it. It looks out of place. The meter blends better.

Another example of If you don't follow the way I think it should be, then you are wrong and should be admonished or censored. but that is the way of the woke generation this country is leaning towards.

I can't tell if you're trying to be funny or not. If you were going for a laugh, I don't get it. If you're serious, it doesn't make sense. I see no admonishment or desire to censor the OP in any of the 3 quotes you posted. While some might be woke, others need to get their rest. Its almost like you just finished ranting on some political forum, then came here while you were still jacked up.