How much to connect gas to a property

Gas line installation

Perhaps, you just moved house or simply built your own property. You may need to connect a gas supply from the mains. You may even wish to switch to gas heating and now need a gas connection. One fundamental question you would be asking is how much to connect gas to a property? Well, rest easy; ultimately, using a natural gas line may save you more than using electric stoves.

Here is a look at the cost to install gas and connect gas to a property. This article will also consider the attending factors to connecting gas to a property, steps to get gas connected to your property, gas connection costs, and gas disconnection costs.

Things to consider when getting gas connected

Whether you moved house or built a new home, you have to connect your property to the main gas grid. This is quickly done if there has once been a connection because the cost would be less. On the other hand, a new connection to the mains gas grid would cost much more. However, the price is actually dependent on the location of your property.

You need to choose what gas mains to connect to. The location of your property and its closeness to a mains supply is essential. Populated areas or urban areas have a greater chance of having the mains supply closer to a property.

However, if the location of your property is in a rural area, the chances of a mains supply being closeby become slimmer. For instance, the farther your property is from the gas mains, the more the number of connecting gas pipes you will need. As such, the cost of the project increases. The pipe size also has to be considered.

Can you connect the gas line yourself?

It is advisable to leave the job of getting the gas line installed in your regional gas distribution network to professionals. It is not a job you can handle yourself. Gas line installation to your property requires a connection to the gas supply in your area. That is a task you are not authorised to carry out.

Steps to get your gas connected

To get your property connected to an electric supply or gas supply, you take two basic steps. These include setting up a connection and choosing a supplier.

Indeed, you would not need a gas setup if you already have a functioning gas connection. However, you would still have to create an account with a supplier.

Step one: Set up a gas connection

To set up your home with a gas connection to the mains, you must contact your local electricity distributor and gas transporter. They will help you with gas piping, pipe sizing, and electrical wiring. However, they do not supply energy. For that, you need energy retailers.

The distributor is the company that manages the energy infrastructure in your area. An example is the Australian Gas Network. On the other hand, the gas retailer takes care of customer-end services and billing. Apart from being gas providers, they may also act as gas fitters. In some cases, the retailer may collect connection fees on behalf of the distributor.

Step two: Identify your region

Identify what region your location falls in under the Australian Gas Network. You can visit their website or call to ask if there are existing gas lines. After that, put in a connection request and ask for a quote. Do this about three business days prior to moving. Sometimes, a gas line connected to the gas mains may exist.

Your gas retailer can simply arrange a reconnection through their local distributor. In other instances, the property may have an active connection under the landlord’s name or that of a real estate agency. You will have to contact the energy retailer and transfer the gas account to your name. However, you may need an urgent connection before the required three days’ notice. Your energy retailer can get it done at an extra cost.

Step three: Find a local gas distribution network

Find out what local distribution networks are in your area and what aspects of the job they can handle at a lower cost. Keep in mind that a gas supply may cost you more in the short term based on your location. However, over the coming years, you will end up saving on costs.

Step four: Choose a supplier

Now that you are finished with setting up a gas connection. Next, you will need a gas supply company to help you connect to natural gas. This is the company that will be issuing you your bills periodically. Remember to ask the gas distributor to refer you to gas retailers.

Gas metre installation

The gas supplier has to get a gas metre installed on your property. This means that they act as metre installers too. Moreover, they can help you choose a good metre location. However, you need to select a good metre before the connection. Likewise, some suppliers require you to pay for the metre installation. As such, you will have to sign up for an energy tariff.

Australian natural gas connection/disconnection costs

A gas distribution network (GDN) company is in charge of connecting properties to the gas grid. They operate regionally and are responsible for gas distribution and transportation. This includes gas piping and the gas mains.

Independent gas transporters are smaller companies that handle specific aspects of the work. They may offer more competitive gas prices. The gas connection fee when you move house is usually fairly reasonable. Granted, you can opt for solar panels and storage batteries for your electricity connection; you may not need anything similar for getting gas installed.

Generally, gas distributors charge gas connection fees between $10 and $100. Below are some gas connection costs, fees, and charges from energy distributors that cut across various gas retailers. The prices are based on your location and not your gas retailer.

Connection costs

• For NSW, the Jemena Distribution Network charges around $102. Australian Gas Networks charges around $73 in Albury and Murray Valley. Central Ranges Tamworth charges about $100.27.
• The charges for QLD state include Australian Gas Networks at about $75 and APT Allgas around $112.65.
• Australian Gas Networks in SA charges around $76.
• In ACT, EvoEnergy gas connection costs around $180.
• VIC has Multinet with a price of $58.01. Australian Gas Networks (Metro) charges about $85. Similarly, Australian Gas Networks (Non-Metro) charges around $85 while Ausnet Services bills about $66.40.
• Finally, Atco Gas Australia in WA charges around $141.79.

Note that there are a few companies that can help you organise electricity connections as well as gas connections. They are not energy distributors and do not actually set the connection fees. Instead, the connection charges are the same for all on the same network. These companies include:

• Origin – Their price ranges from $11 to $58 for a gas connection. However, this price depends on your location. The company can also help you with energy sources, connections, and energy plans.
• AGL – AGL’s connection fee is around $13, much lower than many other companies across the country.
• Energy Australia – Energy Australia’s gas connection fee ranges between $49 and $94.

Disconnection costs

Do you know that you are billed a fixed network service charge per daily connection to the energy grid or gas grid? This is applied whether you use the gas or not. Thus, if you are moving house, you need to disconnect your previous home from the electricity and gas supply to avoid additional charges.

Simply get in touch with the energy provider with a minimum of three days’ notice. They will arrange the disconnection. If you are demolishing the property, you will request a ‘supply abolishment,’ and the cost is at least $300. This cost is subject to change with time. In addition, the fee depends on the extent of work and its duration.

For instance, if more gas piping work is needed to access neighbouring properties or to close off the road for the connection, the connection cost will be higher. So, to reduce the gas connection costs, find out what parts of the work is ‘contestable work. These are parts of the work that someone else can perform, like a registered electrician or gas engineer. However, you still have to check with your gas distributor if an inspection or approval is necessary.

Reasons a gas connection may be denied

Here are some reasons why your gas transporter or electricity distributor may not give you a connection:

Safety

You may be denied a gas connection if the wiring or work on the gas pipes is in a dangerous condition. In that case, you may need some gas safety work done before getting connected.

Distance

Your home needs to fall within a certain distance from the closest gas main. If the distance exceeds the standard, you may need to lay some gas pipes and get connected to the mains. However, the cost may be much higher.

Call natural gas connection services

You are now pretty familiar with how much it costs to connect gas to a property and the steps involved. You will be more confident getting your home connected to the gas mains. There are natural gas connection service companies and gas providers you can reach out to.

They can help you with the natural gas connection process. This includes connecting your property to the natural gas network. Ultimately, they ensure natural gas is available when you need it. Aside from gas installations, these line installers can make sure there is gas available. They can provide gas leak detection services or help with gas outages.

If you have issues with your gas metre installations, metre boxes, gas bottles, or natural gas appliances, a qualified gas fitter can look at into it. Moreover, these line installers and gas plumbers can provide energy-saving tips as well as a needed guide on types of gas and the benefits of natural gas.