When it comes to gas usage in Australia, households typically have one of two options to choose from: liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or natural gas. Depending on your location and lifestyle, one type of fuel may be better suited to you than the other. For example, if you live rurally or off the gas mains, you may favour LPG and its easy transport via tanks over a natural gas connection. But if you’re an inner-city dweller with quick and affordable access to the mains, you may be swayed the opposite way.
If you’ve done your research on which gas type is best suited for your home, we explain the easiest way to install LPG and reveal the expected costs associated.
On this page:
LPG installation: How to install gas
To install LPG, you’ll need the help of a licensed gas fitter or certified plumber, who can ensure that the installation meets Australian regulatory and safety standards. Households are advised to not attempt to install their LPG tanks without the help of a licensed professional.
Below we have listed a general guideline, outlining the steps you may wish to take when installing LPG in the home:
- Research which appliances you’re after and check their gas connection type. It’s important to note that natural gas and LPG are not transferable and cannot be used in place of the other on appliances. So, if you’ve purchased an LPG-powered appliance, you will need an LPG tank.
- Pick your desired LPG supplier – this is the company that will deliver the LPG tanks to your home.
- Hire a licensed gas fitter. Some gas fitters only specialise in certain connection types, such as gas heating, so ensure you select the right company for you.
How much does it cost to install LPG?
The costs of LPG installation will vary depending on a range of factors, including the number of appliances that use LPG, the size of your home, the layout of your property and the original configuration of any fireplaces or cookers. The cost can vary from a few hundred dollars up to a few thousand dollars.
As a ballpark figure, you can expect a brand new LPG installation to cost between $1,500 to $4,500.
Natural gas installation
Natural gas can be a great solution to powering many appliances in your home, including hot water systems, stovetops, gas ovens, heaters and barbecues.
Installing natural gas in Australia requires connecting to your local gas network. This means contacting a gas retailer to confirm the details for your area. For homes under construction, your builder can help to arrange your gas connection ,as well as which appliances you’d like to install. For an existing property, you can contact the gas retailer servicing your address to lodge a new connection request.
Once your home is connected, you’ll need to contact a licensed gas fitter to organise the installation. As with LPG, it’s important to have your natural gas system installed by a licensed professional. This will help to prevent potential leaks or hazards, and ensure the installation meets Australian regulatory and safety standards.
How much does natural gas installation cost?
The cost of installing natural gas in Australia typically ranges from $1,200 to $5,000. This price is heavily dependent on your distance from the nearest gas main, whether your property has previously installed gas infrastructure and how many outlets are required. Most installers will charge a service fee for your first 30 minutes to an hour, and an additional hourly rate, usually between $70 and $110.
Compare cheap gas plans
Gas Plans Compared in VIC
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for VIC. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Melbourne and yearly gas usage of 29,830MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Gas Plans Compared in NSW
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for NSW. These estimated annual costs are based on the Jemena Gas Network in Sydney and yearly gas usage of 18,542MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Gas Plans Compared in WA
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for WA. These estimated annual costs are based on the ATCO Network in Perth and yearly gas usage of 7,672 (units), but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Gas Plans Compared in SA
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for SA. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Adelaide and yearly gas usage of 11,875MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Gas Plans Compared in QLD
Here are some of the cheapest gas deals on our database for QLD. These estimated annual costs are based on the Australian Gas Network in Brisbane and yearly gas usage of 6,842MJ, but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest estimated cost. This table includes products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
How many LPG tanks should I have?
The number of LPG tanks you will need for your home entirely depends on your gas usage, which determines how frequently the gas tank would need to be replaced.
It is generally more efficient to have two bottles on the go than just the one. This can be achieved through a dual gas bottle installation. This is an automatic function that switches the connection over once the first bottle is empty. Some people, however, prefer to switch it over manually so that they know when the first tank is out of gas. It also makes it easier to know when to order your next bottle and ensures you don’t suddenly have to finish washing your hair with cold water.
However, you can make do with just one LPG tank. When you’ve only got one bottle, you have a couple of options for keeping track of usage:
- Run the bottle dry and then make do without gas until the next delivery.
- Continually check the meter and order when it is almost empty.
- Plan ahead: If you can estimate how long it takes for your household to use one entire bottle, you can plan ahead by ordering refills in advance.
Some companies also offer an automatic gas bottle home delivery service. This means that they monitor your gas usage and schedule LPG refill deliveries for you, so that you don’t have to worry about it.
How long does a gas bottle last?
How long an LPG bottle lasts is dependent on how often you’re using it in the home. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re using gas for both cooking and hot water, you can expect a 45kg bottle to last between four and six weeks.
Checking your bottle regularly will allow you to stay on top of your usage, and can indicate when it’s time to order a new one, ensuring you don’t suddenly run out.
Running out of LPG
Unlike natural gas, with LPG it’s possible to run out. Here are some tips to ensure this doesn’t happen:
- Monitor your gas levels. If you have two gas bottles, order a new tank as soon as the first bottle runs out, rather than waiting for the second one to get low.
- If you have a one bottle system, consider upgrading to two bottles.
- In winter, it’s better to be proactive and order early due to the high demand.
- Take into consideration factors that may increase your gas usage, such as guests or the installation of additional appliances, and check your gas level accordingly.
- If your LPG provider offers an automatic gas bottle home delivery service, consider signing up so that you can rest assured that someone else is monitoring your gas usage and scheduling deliveries as needed.
Should I install LPG or natural gas?
Deciding whether or not to install LPG or natural gas will ultimately come down to your own personal circumstances and gas usage. If you live rurally, off the gas mains, or have minimal gas usage, you may find LPG more financially beneficial to use than natural gas. This might be purely for its convenient transport options and lack of a supply charge – which you would have to pay in order to get natural gas sent to your house via the mains network.
Households with higher gas usage or appliances that require a natural gas connection may find it more beneficial to stick with a home natural gas connection, particularly as converting an appliance from natural gas to LPG is not simple or cheap.
If you’re considering installing LPG in your home, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got yourself a good LPG supplier. Canstar Blue’s annual Most Satisfied Customers – LPG Gas Suppliers ratings can help. To see this year’s winner, click the link below.
Original reporting by Kelseigh Wrigley
Image Source: Nor Gal/Shutterstock
Share this article