In Australia, where the weather is ripe for barbequing, gas bottles are a common household fixture. But while most of us are familiar with gas bottles, LPG system components are another story. We’ll take a closer look at gas regulators — an essential component of the gas delivery system — in this Canstar Blue article.
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What is LPG?
Let’s start simple — what is LPG? LPG stands for liquified petroleum gas. It’s the gas bottle you buy from the service station for barbequing, heating, camping and more. In Australia, LPG is propane gas, but in other countries, it may be a mix of propane and butane.
What is a LPG gas regulator?
LPG is stored in a liquid state in pressurised gas cylinders. When pressure is released, LPG becomes the safe gas used in your home. An LPG regulator is a small fitting usually supplied with your gas appliances, used to maintain a uniform flow and pressure of gas as it is released. It’s an essential component of safe LPG usage.
Gas appliances like BBQs have a specific pressure set by the manufacturer to ensure proper operation. LPG gas regulators ensure that your appliances are correctly pressurised for optimal and safe use.
What does a gas bottle regulator do?
So, what exactly happens when an LPG gas regulator is used? A gas regulator’s job is to reduce an LPG gas bottle’s pressure from 400 -1200kPa down to 2.75 kPa — the pressure needed to run gas appliances safely. While it’s common for the pressure in a gas bottle to change with temperature, LPG gas regulators must always maintain 2.75kPa.
It does this using a diaphragm and springs that adjust automatically to regulate pressure. Working with the LPG regulator diaphragm is the gas pressure vent, which needs to be unobstructed and working properly to ensure the proper functioning of the regulator.
Do you need an LPG regulator for a house?
In most cases, yes. An LPG cylinder is unsafe to use without one. LPG regulators ensure that the gas released from your gas bottle is at the right pressure. If it’s too low, there won’t be enough gas to power appliances. If it’s too high, it becomes unsafe to use. Contact your gas appliance supplier if you can’t find your regulator.
Connecting and disconnecting your LPG regulator
Remove the gas regulator from your cylinder by following these simple steps:
- Turn the gas valve hand wheel off by turning it clockwise.
- Turn the regulator hand wheel clockwise to remove the regulator from the bottle. You may see a small amount of gas in the regulator or hose release.
- Lift the bottle off the gas BBQ hook or shelf.
*Only applicable to BBQ gas bottles with POL fittings
Types of LPG gas regulators for houses
Gas regulars aren’t one-size-fits-all. Many kinds of regulators vary depending on the appliance and how you’ll be using the gas. There is a difference between a regulator for a large cylinder tank and one for a small BBQ. Here are the main gas regulators in Australia:
- Appliance regulator: Standard regulators as found on most gas appliances.
- Single-stage regulator: Suitable for small outdoor cooking appliances like gas BBQs.
- Twin-stage regulator: Twice-regulated pressure for applications requiring constant outlet pressure.
- Automatic changeover regulator: Once your main supply gas cylinder runs out, this twin-stage regulator automatically switches to the reserve.
- First- and second-stage regulators: Regulates the pressure in two stages. First-stage regulators are the primary means of pressure regulation on LPG bulk tanks. A second-stage regulator is installed to further reduce pressure following the first-stage regulation.
The good news is that a suitable regulator will most likely be fitted to your home or appliance.
Troubleshooting LPG gas regulators
When the weather’s right and you’re geared up for an outdoor feast, there’s nothing worse than a barbeque that won’t turn on. If your gas BBQ flames are too low or you’re having issues, it may be a regulator problem. Here are some common gas regulator problems LPG users may encounter:
No gas
If you’re not seeing a flame and your tank is full, your regular may be leaking. The easiest way to check for leaks is to see if you can detect a sulphurous smell. If there’s a smell coming from near the regulator, it’s time to replace it.
Low flame
If your regulator regularly gets stuck, it will limit gas flow, resulting in a lower flame. This could be another sign to replace your regulator.
Orange flame
An orange or yellow flame indicates incomplete combustion of the gas. First, check the hoses to ensure there are no obstructions. If there are no leaks or blockages, your regulator may need replacing.
What is a gas bottle fitting?
Regulators are just one piece of the LPG puzzle. Gas bottle fittings refer to all of the components needed to create a functioning gas system. It includes the regulator, pigtails, gas valve hand wheel, bleed screw, dip tube and pressure relief valve.
- Gas regulator: Gas regulators regulate the pressure at which LPG is delivered from gas bottles.
- Pigtails: Pigtails connect a gas cylinder to a regulator. They’re designed to transfer high-pressure gas from the bottle to the regulator.
- Gas valve hand wheel: Once the connection is secure, the gas valve hand wheel controls the gas flow.
- Bleed screw: The bleed screw helps with decant filling.
- Dip tube: A tube within the gas cylinder that helps indicate when a cylinder is full.
- Pressure relief valve: Used to relieve excess pressure caused by overfilling or excessive heat.
Do you need an LPG gas regulator in your home?
The right LPG regulator for your gas cylinder is essential to proper and safe operation. Without a regulator to reduce gas pressure, you could cause a gas leak and/or render your supply useless.
When installing LPG at home, a licensed technician will walk you through everything you need to know. They’ll provide you with a compliance badge or plate to certify the installation.
To compare a range of LPG home suppliers, follow the link below.’
Compare cheap gas deals
If you’re interested in comparing natural gas prices in your area, see some of the cheapest options available per state below:
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
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