Gas heating

Gas for heating your home comes in a number of different general types, and some types are better than others.

It can use natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) piped into your house from gas mains, or LPG from bottles.

Benefits of gas heating

  • If you already have appliances running on gas in your home, especially hot water, it can make economic sense to run your heating on gas as well because you are paying for the gas fixed charges already.
  • Gas heaters provide fast, convenient and easily controlled heat.
  • Gas is the cleanest burning, lowest emission fossil fuel, though it still emits more carbon dioxide than renewable sources of energy.
  • Some modern gas heaters have higher efficiency, so are cheaper to run.
  • Heater flues for gas fires can be run out of the house in any direction, horizontally and vertically. This means that gas heaters don't need to be on an outside wall and can be installed almost anywhere in the home.

Checklist for choosing a gas heater

  • Choose a flued gas heater. Unflued gas heaters emit water vapour, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide directly into your home. This can make your house damp and harm your health if there isn't enough fresh air ventilation.
  • Ask about condensing gas heaters. These extract as much heat as possible from the flue gas, so are more efficient and cheaper to run.
  • Avoid decorative heaters. These can have very low efficiencies, in the 5 to 25% range, and will cost a lot to run and do little to heat your home.
  • Does the heater require electricity? Some people like the idea of gas heaters in case of electricity cuts, but quite a few modern gas heaters need mains electricity for the ignition and to run internal fans.
  • Installing gas heaters does not require a building consent. A building consent for the installation of a fixed gas heater including installation of the flue is not required from the local City or District Council. It is important to note that if you are putting in a building consent for other work at the same time as installing a gas heater, you will need to specifically state that a building consent is not being sought for the gas heater.
  • Use a Registered Gasfitter. Gas heaters must be installed by a Registered Gasfitter and a Gas Certificate must be issued for the installation. Electrical work should be carried out by a Registered Electrician and, if required, an Electrical Certificate of Compliance issued.

Unflued gas heaters and portable LPG heaters

Unflued gas heaters, including portable LPG heaters, have no vent or chimney to carry away emissions.

Emissions include water vapour, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. These are all released directly into the room and this can make your house damp and harm your health if there isn't enough fresh air ventilation. Portable LPG heaters can also be a fire risk.

EECA recommends you avoid using unflued gas heaters for these reasons. If you do use one, keep at least one window open to allow fresh air to enter the room and waste gases to escape. Never use them in bedrooms.

To learn more about safe use of unflued gas heaters, go to the resources listed under ‘More information' below.

Apart from the safety concern, portable LPG heaters are also the most expensive form of heating (except for some open fires). If you cannot afford investing in an effective, fixed heating option, consider portable electric heaters which are cheap to buy and much safer and cheaper to run than portable LPG heaters.

Installation requirements

Gas heaters and other gas appliances should always be installed by a licensed gas fitter.

More information

From the Resource Centre

Related documents and additional information: