Gas for New Zealand – Gas101
In the following Q&As, the term ‘gas’ is used as a generic term referring to both natural gas and LPG. Where the term ‘natural gas’ is used, it refers specifically to reticulated natural gas. The same applies when the term ‘LPG’ is used. It refers specifically to LPG supplied in 45kg cylinders.
Where is gas available in NZ?How many NZ homes/buildings already use gas?
How do I find out if my house/premise is in a street that has a natural gas pipeline?
What happens if I want to install gas but I don’t live near a natural gas pipeline?
What’s the difference between natural gas and LPG?
How much does it cost to connect a house/building to gas?
How do gas and LPG compare price-wise to electricity?
What is gas used for in NZ homes/premises?
Can I use gas alongside a renewable energy application, say solar hot water?
What will I notice most if I install gas at home?
How long will it take to get gas installed in my home?
What standards exist to ensure that gas appliances sold in NZ are safe and efficient?
How can I ensure my gas appliance remains safe and efficient?
Which energy suppliers sell gas?
How much gas does NZ have? What if it runs out?
What are the environmental effects of using gas? Is gas energy efficient?
What’s the story with gas and excess water vapour and moisture in my home?
Why shouldn’t I just keep on using electricity?
Where is gas available in NZ?
Gas is available anywhere in New Zealand. Natural gas is available in many parts of the North Island and LPG can be delivered anywhere in the country. To find out whether natural gas is available in your area, just contact one of these companies:
| • | Vector (Northland, Auckland, Waikato, King Country, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Rotorua, Taupo and Otaki to Paraparaumu) |
| • | Powerco (Wellington region, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, Wanganui) |
| • | Nova Energy (Wellington region, Hastings, Hawera, Papakura, East Tamaki and Manakau City) |
| • | GasNet (Wanganui, Marton, Bulls & Flockhouse) |
To find out about LPG deliveries contact one of the LPG suppliers Ongas, Contact, Nova Energy, Genesis Energy, Elgas and National Gas (Palmerston North only).
How many NZ homes/buildings already use gas?
Around 350,000 homes across the country are connected to gas. Some 120,000-130,000 properties have LPG twin-pack cylinders, while over 220,000 homes and small businesses use natural gas. And that doesn’t count the hundreds of thousands of homes that use LPG cabinet heaters, nor the number big businesses that use gas for a variety of space and water heating, and process purposes. The number of gas connections (both LPG and natural gas) is continuing to grow as more people appreciate its lifestyle, cost, energy efficiency and climate change benefits. 
How do I find out if my house/premise is in a street that has a natural gas pipeline?
The best thing to do is to contact one of these companies:
| • | Vector (Northland, Auckland, Waikato, King Country, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Rotorua, Taupo and Otaki to Paraparaumu) |
| • | Powerco (Wellington region, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Wanganui) |
| • | Nova Energy (Wellington region, Hastings, Hawera, Papakura, East Tamaki and Manakau City) |
| • | GasNet (Wanganui, Marton, Bulls & Flockhouse) |
Of course, to get LPG you don't need a pipeline because it's delivered in 45kg cylinders that are affixed neatly and tidily to the side of the house. To find out about LPG deliveries contact one of the LPG suppliers Ongas, Contact, Nova Energy, Genesis Energy, Elgas and National Gas (Palmerston North only).
What happens if I want to install gas but I don’t live near a natural gas pipeline?
Simple – just choose LPG. It's just the same as natural gas, with all the same benefits, but it's delivered to you in 45kg cylinders. That means LPG is available everywhere.
What's the difference between natural gas and LPG?
There are some technical differences that an engineer would appreciate, but to the average person, they are pretty much the same thing and they do pretty much the same job. There are some pricing differences – natural gas is less expensive to use on a day-to-day basis. On the other hand, it can be easier and cheaper to connect to LPG. Overall there’s very little real difference between the two gases.
How much does it cost to connect a house/building to gas?
With natural gas costs are variable and depend on a range of factors such as the location of your house and who your local provider is. You'd need to get quotes and the best place to start is your power company (excluding Meridian, which doesn't sell gas). If you want to connect to LPG, it can cost around $200-$250 upfront to have the twin pack cylinders fitted. There are ongoing cylinder rental costs but these vary from supplier to supplier.
What is gas used for in NZ homes/premises?
Gas is used for cooking, and is increasingly being used for water and space heating. Gas provides a very powerful and efficient heating source and will heat big areas quite quickly and cost-effectively. It also gives you non-stop hot water, which is ideal for larger families. While we don’t have exact figures, it's likely that over 50 per cent of Kiwi homes use gas for either cooking, space or water heating, or a combination of them. Most restaurants use gas for cooking and have done for many years because it is so controllable and so fast.
Can I use gas alongside a renewable energy application, say solar hot water?
Absolutely. You can use gas in combination with any other form of energy, and it’s often very sensible to also have gas if you rely on renewable energy, which can be a little intermittent in certain weather patterns. And, because gas is energy efficient and low carbon, it is a very useful back-up to solar hot water systems and other renewable energy installations you might have.
What will I notice most if I install gas at home?
That depends on what you use it for. If you have gas continuous flow hot water, then you'll notice you never run out of hot water. Ever! Gas space heating provides powerful, energy efficient heat that is very cost-effective, and that will heat large spaces quickly. You can keep the whole house warm, which is a major bonus for families. Most importantly, no matter how cold it is outside, a gas heater continues to provide full heating output inside where and when you need it. If you are using it for cooking you’ll soon notice that it provides totally precise temperature control and fast heating. That’s why restaurants everywhere use it.
How long will it take to get gas installed in my home?
With an LPG system, you could be 'cooking with gas' in a matter of days. All that has to happen is the 45kg cylinders need to be delivered and affixed to your house. A relatively simple process. Installing natural gas can take longer, depending on your circumstances, because some pipelines will need to be laid. The best thing to do is check with your power company.
What standards exist to ensure that gas appliances sold in NZ are safe and efficient?
All gas appliances sold in NZ have to be tested to very stringent and tightly monitored quality assurance and safety standards. These standards are administered by Energy Safety, a division of the Ministry of Economic Development. Click here for more information. The gas industry has a proud and enviable safety record in New Zealand and appliance retailers and gas companies are very concerned to keep it that way. That’s one of the reasons that all gas appliances have to be certified when they are installed. This certificate is a legal document and copies are held on file by the regulator. In addition, the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board ensures all gasfitters are licensed and only gasfitters with certain skills and qualifications do certain kinds of gasfitting work. As with the appliance certification system, these rules are designed to ensure public health and safety. For more information on gasfitting safety standards see www.pgdb.co.nz.
How can I ensure my gas appliance remains safe and efficient?
Appliance manufacturers recommend that appliances are serviced regularly by a registered, suitably qualified gasfitter to ensure ongoing safe and efficient use. For example, gas heaters should be serviced once a year. Not only does this ensure they operate safely, but it also means your appliance operates at maximum efficiency, which saves you money.
Which energy suppliers sell gas?
You can buy natural gas from suppliers such as Wanganui Gas, OnGas, Genesis, Mercury Energy, Nova Energy, Contact and Energy Direct NZ. LPG can be bought from Ongas, Contact, Nova Energy, Genesis Energy, Elgas and National Gas (Palmerston North only).
How much gas does NZ have? What if it runs out?
Neither natural gas, nor LPG, is running out any time soon! New Zealand has more than 30 years worth of natural gas to supply homes and small businesses. And that’s only based on existing gasfields. It doesn’t include fields that have still to be developed. As for LPG, we have years and years worth of LPG in New Zealand, plus we can easily import it from Australia if we need more. Running out of gas – either natural gas or LPG- isn’t an issue for the foreseeable future.
What are the environmental effects of using gas? Is gas energy efficient?
Recent studies show clearly that natural gas and LPG are what's called low carbon fuels. In other words they are quite clean. For example, a report commissioned by the Gas Industry Company said that replacing all of New Zealand's electric hot water heating with instantaneous gas systems would reduce New Zealand's C02 emissions by 0.6 per cent or 430,000 tonnes per annum. Another report done by the Centre for Advanced Engineering states that using gas for water and space heating, instead of electricity, could cut New Zealand’s CO2 output by nearly two million tonnes pa. Using gas directly in your home is an extremely efficient way of using energy. Also, today's gas appliances are highly efficient with some of the modern condensing appliances being up to 95 per cent efficient.
What's the story with gas and excess water vapour and moisture in my home?
With properly installed and flued gas appliances (flues are like ultra-modern chimneys), water vapour isn't a problem. It all gets vented outside. Some gas heaters don't have flues so the water vapour they produce stays inside the house. If you are using an unflued heater the best bet is to keep a window slightly open. Most people who make the decision to install gas in their homes always choose flued appliances.
Why shouldn't I just keep on using electricity?
One of the benefits of switching to gas is that you help to take the load off New Zealand’s electricity generation and distribution systems. That means the country doesn't have to generate so much electricity and we won't need to build (and pay for!) so many new electricity generation plants. You could say that by switching to gas, you are doing the country a favour.
