Sorry for the bad new David. My condolences.
At my old bachelor pad house the gas meter was way out back. It had not been replaced in ages and was pretty rusty. I noticed on fall when I finally turned on the heater my gas bill did not go up at all. The next month was cold and it was still the minimum amount. I went all winter with not much more than the minimum service fee. I was not real upset. Eventually about spring time they sent me a letter saying I should call them to set up a time to have them replace the meter. For some reason I kept forgetting to call. Finally in July they just showed up at my house real early and said they were there to replace the meter. I told them it was OK and I liked my old meter.
They changed it anyway.
The summer bill was just the minimum of about 12 bucks a month. The next winter it went up to almost 35 per month. It was a tiny 950 square foot house and gas was real cheap back then.
No I have it on an automatic checking account draft. I still have them mail me a paper bill with the big letters DO NOT PAY THIS BILL, and I smile. I love getting a bill I don't have to pay. It is drafted from my account so I do pay it, but I don't have to do anything.