Table Of Contents
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
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Getting Gas Connected
If you're not a new homeowner, you will probably face difficulties deciding which fuel type to use in your home. Natural gas has been prevalent in Australia for a long time. As a result, many homes continue to use natural gas appliances. If this is the case for your new home, continue reading this article to determine if your house is gas-connected.
How Can I Tell If My House Is Gas-Powered?
Natural gas is available to over 5 million Australian households. This means that 48 per cent of homes have access to mains gas. This percentage varies in some areas. Many houses in Victoria and Western Australia have natural gas connections. But homes in Queensland and Tasmania are frequently without connections.
To determine whether gas is connected to your home, you must first determine who the distributor for your area is. This will help you determine whether your home has a natural gas connection. Some Australian gas networks allow you to search for natural gas availability by postcode.
That is the case, for example, with ATCO in Western Australia. If you have a natural gas supply to your home, you should know where your gas meter is.
Natural Gas Meter
A gas meter keeps track of how much natural gas you use at home. The location of it depends on the type of house you have. It could be on your front porch or attached to your back wall. It is often found near the electricity meter.
In older homes, the natural gas meter may be located inside, such as in the garage or hallway. Similarly, you will most likely find the meter inside or in the parking lot if you live in an apartment. You can change its position but avoid relocating it independently and contact a professional.
How To Switch On Or Off Your Gas At The Meter
Knowing where your natural gas meter is in your home is critical in case you need to access it. Follow the steps below to turn it on or off.
Step One: Locate your home's gas meter
A valve in the gas meter will control the gas flow from the gas networks to your house. If you recently moved into a new home connected to the natural gas network, you may need to reconnect your gas line at the meter.
Step Two: Turn all gas appliances off
Turn off all gas appliances and pilot lights before turning on your gas meter. Rotate the valve handle into the vertical 'on' position to turn on your gas supply.
Step Three: Check to see that gas is flowing
After connecting the gas line, the gas meter dial should move and stop within fifteen seconds. This indicates that gas is flowing from the gas networks to your home. If the gas meter dial keeps moving after that time, you either forgot to turn off one of your gas appliances or have a natural gas leak.
Step Four: Turn the gas meter valve off
Return the gas metering valve handle to the 'off' position if all of your appliances are turned off and the dial is still moving. Contact a licensed gas fitter to inspect your gas pipes and appliances for leaks.
Step Five: Turn on your gas appliances
If the dial does not move, you can proceed to turn on your gas appliances. Depending on your appliances, you may also need to restart the pilot lights. Check the manufacturer's instructions first.
Following these steps, your home's gas supply should be restored. If it hasn't, it means the gas supply was cut off by the gas network rather than the meter box.
Can I Connect Natural Gas To My New Home?
The cost of connecting gas to your home will be significantly high in the short term, as you will need to pay not only for gas connections but also for installing a boiler, radiators, and pipework. Here are some other factors to consider about connecting natural gas to a new home.
Instalment of gas line
Property must first be connected to the gas grid before being supplied with gas. A Gas Distribution Network company can join the nearest supply to your property's gas meter if your property is not connected to the gas grid. GDN companies such as National Grid and Northern or Southern Gas Networks are responsible for maintaining these networks and offering options for new customers to connect.
First, you should consult with your gas supply company (retailer) to determine the best course of action for connecting to the gas grid. In most cases, the gas supplier will advise you to obtain a quote from the GDN, an Independent Gas Transporter (IGT), or a Utility Infrastructure Provider (UIP).
Electric appliances
In general, gas appliances are more efficient compared to electric appliances. However, according to Australian gas studies, electric heaters are less expensive than using a gas heater. Nonetheless, gas appliances are generally faster for heating and cooling. They are also great for use during power outages.
Gas plumbing
Gas plumbing is relatively expensive to install in newly built homes. In addition, new homeowners may be required to pay to connect to the natural gas main pipes. All homes with gas appliances must pay annual gas usage and connection fees.
Choosing electric appliances with high energy efficiency over a gas appliance may be best if you are planning to build a new home. This is especially true if you join the nearly three million other Australian households with rooftop solar installed.
Gas security
Gas misuse and energy infrastructure accidents can have serious consequences. You must be aware of your safety if you are excavating on a property with underground gas pipes. Try to find out more about digging near pipes or cables and how to make a free inquiry about your excavation work.
Report any problems, such as a loss of supply, to your gas distributor directly. You can report an accident that has resulted in pipeline damage that poses a safety risk to residents by dialling an emergency number.
Get A Gas Fitter To Help
Many Australians use gas in their homes for various purposes. With gas connected to your home, heating and cooling will be much faster. Also, gas appliances are more efficient and last longer than electric appliances. They are also a cheaper option depending on your appliance usage.
Natural gas has been a low-cost option on the market, especially for medium and larger households. Furthermore, the reliability of gas and gas appliances is one of the main reasons for using gas in homes. Installing pipework from the meter to the boiler and additional pipework to provide heating via radiators or underfloor heating is necessary to connect gas to a home.
This may all look like a big deal to you, but a professional gas fitter can help you with the process. It is best to consult with a gas fitter who can recommend the best option for your needs, as gas can be dangerous to work with. It is important to remember the hazards that come with gas. Hence, leave the assessment for a gas connection to the professional so you don't endanger yourself or your family members.
Need an Experienced Plumber?
Tropical Coast Plumbing's team of experienced plumbers are here to offer you the best in residential and commercial plumbing solutions. Whether it be gas plumbing, emergency plumbing, blocked toilets, hot water installation or general plumbing, our plumbers know how to get the job done right.
