Gas is an option

Press, 15 July 1987, Page 33

Gas is an option

The energy source used in a home will be governed by factors other than style preference.

Depending on where one lives in New Zealand the choice of energy will have a measurable effect on the household budget. Energy costs vary between local authorities, and the purchase and installation of appliances is another important variable which may influence, the energy decision, particularly in the case of a first-home owner.

Yet, gas as an energy source is most definitely to be considered, says the Plumbing Information Bureau. As a fuel, gas offers many of the advantages of other fuels with few of the disadvantages. Gas is cheap, safe, easy to use, there are no storage problems, and it is clean burning.

Some people unfamiliar with natural gas have fears about its safety. Today, such worries are groundless. All appliances on the market must be approved by the Gas Association of New Zealand to ensure they meet stringent safety standards. Modern appliances also are fitted with many failsafe features such as automatic flame failure devices which disrupt the gas supply should the flame extinguish. All newly installed appliances must be inspected before use by the local gas inspector to ensure installations and safety standards are met. To fully fit out a house with gas appliances, (cooker, water heater, hall and lounge heaters), will cost about $4OOO including installation, depending on the contractor’s rates, compared with about $2500 for electric appliances. But against the difference you have to look at the savings you would make on your annual gas supply bill. Since Kapuni natural gas became available to the North Island from 1970 onwards, the popularity of gas has soared. Today, there are about 100,000 homes using natural gas of a potential 300,000 which have access to gas reticulation. The comparatively high cost of converting the

home is the main reason that more homes are not using gas, though there are still some misconceptions about safety. Unlike coal gas, which was widely manufactured up to the 19605, natural gas is non-toxic. Apart from being generally cheaper than electricity, the main advantage of gas is its ability to provide instant heat. For water heating, this means that gas will heat a 30 gallon (136 litres) tank of water in 1 hour where electricity will take up to 6 hours.

For cooking, burners respond immediately with no heating up or cooling down stage as for electric elements.

The modern gas cooker is a far cry from the old gas stove. Gone is the need for an endless supply of matches, and pilot lights. Cookers today are fitted with electronic ignition systems that operate at the push of a button. They include a range of electronic features including digital clock and timer, rotisseries and fan convection for even oven heat throughout and can be programmed for various cooking times. Many households with electric stoves will opt for gas cook tops for fast heating. Gas is the preferred cooking method by many chefs because of the instant burner heat which is important in a restaurant but, further still, because of its chemical reaction when burning which keeps meat and cakes moister in the oven. Instant heat is also one of the most attractive features of gas heaters which these days need not be in a fixed position as were the older fires. Multiple points can be installed so a gas heater can be transferred between some rooms. This is possible because of flexible gas hoses and bayonet connectors.

As well as the option of fixed or portable models, the heaters can be flued or flueless and are available with thermostat and

time control. Most flued heaters can be connected to a rectangular flue which fits into a standard partition wall. These in-partition flues are most easily fitted during building but they can be installed in older homes. There are some restrictions applying to the installation of flueless gas heaters which take into account the need for adequate ventilation and the risk of excessive condensation.

Therefore, flueless heaters may not be installed in bedrooms or bathrooms, and in living rooms their gas rate is limited by the ventilation area available. They are most suitable for hallways, landings and other well-ventilated areas.

Gas water heating units are extremely efficient as storage and instantaneous water heaters. Recent technological developments have improved gas storage heaters even more. The introduction of heat exchangers instead of a central flue can reduce water heating costs by up to 20 percent on Australian figures. With a central flue there is heat loss along with the exhaust gases. The heat exchanger channels the combustion gases through the sides and base of the unit. More heat is retained longer in the unit which can also hold more water with the central flue eliminated. A recently available storage water heater can now be fitted outside when there is insufficient space in the home.

Natural gas is only available in the North Island. In the South the use of liquified petroleum gas is growing particularly since there have been regular deliveries of LPG by ship to the main ports.

. LPG is supplied in portable bottles, two at a time, which are installed externally and replaced regularly. A bottle supplying gas to. a range of appliances lasts about 50 hours.