• PUL639 GasFAQ 1920x608s

What is Natural Gas?

Gas is commonly referred to as ‘natural gas’ as it’s a naturally occurring gaseous hydrocarbon (a molecule made of hydrogen and carbon atoms). It consists mainly of methane - the simplest hydrocarbon.

What can I use gas for?

Gas can be used for heating, hot water, cooking and outdoor living.

Is gas available in my street?

To find out if Natural Gas is available in your street call us on 0800 473 976. Reticulated (piped) Natural Gas is available for most households in the North Island but not available in the South Island.

If you live in the South Island, we do offer LPG to most areas. Click here to find out if LPG is available in your area.

On the All Energy Plan, both Natural gas and LPG customers will have one pricing plan. Low and Standard User options will only be available to customers who fall into the Powerco Network area. All other areas will have one rate by gas type per area.

How do I get connected?

Easy – simply call us on 0800 473 976 to get connected and become an All Energy customer with Grey Power Electricity today.

How much will it cost to get connected?

If you do not have gas already set up, a registered gasfitter will provide you with a cost to connect the internal piping to the system.

The rate you pay for Natural Gas depends on where you live in the North Island. You will be charged a daily line and variable charge, for the gas you use.

How long will it take to get connected?

Our friendly team will take care of the switching process making sure there is no hassle for you. We will contact your current supplier and arrange for your account to be switched to Grey Power Electricity, which can take up to 23 working days. We do not turn off your gas as part of the switching process.

What is the difference between Natural Gas and LPG?

Natural gas cannot be stored and transported as a liquid and therefore is not widely available (only available in the North Island). In addition, LPG produces greater heat due to its higher calorific value.

If I am on the All Energy Plan, is my plan price protected?

Only the electricity portion of your All Energy Plan is protected. This is your Energy Rate which is detailed on your monthly bills.

Can I use LPG for Natural gas appliances or vice-versa?

No. It is important to not use LPG for Natural Gas appliances and vice versa, as each type of gas requires different amounts of oxygen to burn properly, so different burners or jets are needed in the appliances.

Is gas safe?

Yes. As long as the installation and appliances are up to standard. Your appliances need to be serviced regularly to ensure maximum performance and safety.

Your safety around gas is very important. If you suspect your gas supply or appliances are faulty or leaking (even if you are not able to smell gas), turn off your gas supply immediately and contact a registered gas fitter.

In the case of an emergency dial 111.

As with electricity, and many other household products such as cleaning chemicals, care should always be taken when using either Natural Gas or LPG. Refer to our Living Safely with Gas section for more information.

Will my driveway be dug up?

A small trench may be dug up for connection to the natural gas network. Once the gas service pipe is in place and all is safe, the registered gasfitter will then repair the section and clean up the area.

How much does it cost to run my appliances?

Appliance costs vary significantly, and usually depend on the brand and features of the appliance. This information can be obtained from your local appliance retailer. Gas appliances are efficient and are usually cheaper to operate in the long term.

Is there plenty of gas for my home?

Yes. Gas will continue to be a key source of energy for heating homes, fuelling cars and barbeques and providing endless hot water. Gas as a direct energy source is here to stay.

What is LPG?

LPG stands for liquefied petroleum gas. It is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as a fuel in heating appliances and vehicles. The gases are butane and propane. The ratio varies by supplier.

Will I get a prompt payment discount if I get LPG on the All Energy Plan?

No.

LPG invoicing consists of two charges:

  1. Cylinder Rental Fee (daily fixed charge)
  2. Cylinder Order & Delivery Cost

The amount charged differs based on the region you reside in. On the All Energy Plan, both Natural gas and LPG customers will have one pricing plan.

If I am on the All Energy Plan, is my plan price protected?

Only the electricity portion of your All Energy Plan is protected.  This is your Energy Rate which is detailed on your monthly bills. 

How much is the annual cylinder rental fee?

The cylinder rental fee is 63.30 cents per day for two cylinders (excluding gst). You must have a minimum of 2 x 45kg cylinder on your property at any time.

Estimate your LPG usage

The number of LPG cylinders you need depends on how much gas you use, what you use it for and how many people live in your home. You can use the table below as a guide.

Application Number in household Estimated Annual Refills  
Home heating only Not applicable 6-9  
Water heating only 2 4-6  
Water heating only 4 6-9  
Water heating only 6 9-12  

Each gas cylinder contains 45kg of gas when full, which is the equivalent of to 2250 megajoules or 625 kWh of energy.

How do I know if my LPG cylinders need refilling?

You will need to periodically check the regulator on the top of the cylinder. When the regulator is showing red, this indicates one of your cylinders is empty. It will automatically switch over to the second cylinder, but to avoid running out of gas it is recommended that you order the refill immediately. You can do this by filling out a LPG refill order form at here It is important that you do not touch or tamper with your LPG cylinders. Doing so can incur a fee and be unsafe.

Can I get a meter reading for LPG?

No. Your LPG cylinders will be mounted on the side of your house and are not linked to a meter. You will be charged only for an annual cylinder rental fee, cylinder refill order and delivery cost.

How do I know if I have a gas leak?

Gas has a pungent ‘rotten egg’ smell added to it so it can be easily detected. If you suspect your gas appliances are faulty or leaking, turn off your gas supply immediately and contact us on 0800 473 976.

Do I need to be at home when Grey Power Electricity replace my LPG cylinders?

No. However, we may be unable to install your LPG refill cylinders due to one of the following reasons; no access, gate locked, safety or unable to locate install area. If this is the case, we will leave a card in your mailbox to advise you of this. Simply contact us to organise redelivery (please note, a fee may apply. Click here to find out more information).

Why does the rate of LPG differ?

The rate you are charged for LPG depends on where you live in New Zealand.

How safe are full gas cylinder on the side of my house?

It is safe when well maintained and good care is taken when near it. All cylinders are tested at the filling station for faults, as well as leak tested at the point of reconnection at your house by OnGas. It is important that you do not touch or tamper with your LPG cylinders. Doing so can incur a fee and be unsafe.

Is gas safe?

Yes. As long as the installation and appliances are up to standard, gas is very safe. Your appliances need to be serviced regularly to ensure maximum performance and safety. It is important to not use LPG for Natural Gas appliances and vice versa, as each type of gas requires different amounts of oxygen to burn properly, so different burners are needed in the appliances.

How do I order LPG refills?

The easiest way is to fill out an LPG order form here or call us on 0800 473 976. Standard delivery time is 2-7 working days.

How are the cylinders delivered to my home?

Your cylinders are delivered by OnGas. All cylinders are tested at the filling station for faults, as well as leak tested at the point of reconnection at your house by OnGas.

I currently get my LPG supplied by Grey Power Electricity and I am moving to another supplier. How much notice do I need to give Grey Power Electricity to remove the gas cylinders?

We will final your accounts and no notice is needed as we do not remove the gas cylinders.

What is needed to install a gas system?

A gas fitter will need to install an internal piping system to your appliances. They will provide you with a quote and at the end of the job give you a Certificate of Compliance.

Do I need to have my gas appliances installed before I sign up for LPG?

Yes you need to have your gas appliances installed and certified before we are able to supply you with LPG. Your gas fitter will provide you with a Certificate of Compliance to say that the work done was to industry standards, as well as sending a copy of it through to us, prior to signing you up for LPG.

Can I purchase or own my own 45kg LPG cylinders rather than rent them?

For safety reasons, no. If you want to be supplied by Grey Power Electricity LPG you need to rent Grey Power Electricity cylinders. This is because the LPG cylinders we provide are subject to strict maintenance and safety checks as required by law.

What do I do if the gas appliance (heater, stove, etc.) doesn’t work?

Check the regulator on top of the cylinders to see if all parts are red. You may need to order a new cylinder. If both cylinders are empty, and an emergency or urgent delivery is required there may be an extra charge for the unscheduled delivery. If the regulator indicates there’s still gas in a least one of the cylinders, check for basic errors such as a pilot light having gone out. If there’s no obvious explanation, call a registered gasfitter (from the yellow pages) to check your appliances.

If I am organising a new connection, how will this be done?

If you’re adding bottled gas to your home for the first time, you will require a gasfitter to install and connect the system. Safety regulations require that once OnGas has delivered the cylinders, the gasfitter will need to return to the property to connect the installation to the gas supply (cylinders) and turn the gas on.

Apart from the gasfitter’s time and materials (eg. pipework), there are some initial set up costs for your cylinder station which will also be incurred from your gasfitter. These are items such as the concrete pavers to place the cylinders on, chain set, regulator, regulator cover and hoses.