What's worth knowing
- Have a thermostat and timer
- Heat large spaces
- Provide instant heat
- Can run on mains natural gas (North Island only) or LPG bottles
- Don't need building consent – but must be installed by a registered gas fitter
- Fossil fuel releases greenhouse gas emissions
- Fixed charges for main gas supply
- Higher running costs for LPG bottles
- Don’t work during a power cut
Be Gen Less with flued gas heating
- New Zealand doesn’t have minimum energy performance standards for gas heaters so their efficiency and emissions vary a lot. Look for the Australian Gas Association gas energy rating label - more stars means it’s more efficient.
- Use the timer to warm the room just before you get home and switch off when you don’t need it.
- Set the thermostat to above 18ºC (to combat damp and mould) but below 21ºC (to save energy).
- Have it professionally serviced once a year to keep it running well.
Unflued gas heaters
Gas heaters that don't pipe emissions outside get a low score from us.
Key facts
- Portable, or have only one pipe that supplies the gas.
- Release greenhouse gas emissions.
- Unflued portable gas heaters are the most expensive form of heating.
- Serious risks from toxic gases — never use in a bedroom.
- Release water vapour that can make your home damp and mouldy.
- Wasteful — you need to keep a window open when you use them.
- Fire risk.