[ Last Updated 20 June 2008 ]
Short Description
Advice to have your gas appliances serviced and checked
As we are heading into winter it's a good the time to have your gas appliances serviced and checked. Always use a qualified and competent person, such as a gasfitter, qualified service technician to have this work done.
This advice comes from Energy Safety*, which is part of the Ministry of Economic Development.
Gas appliances
Gas appliances need regular checking, servicing and maintenance. Having your appliances checked and serviced will not only help keep them in a safe condition, it also helps to keep them running efficiently.
To find out how often the appliance should be serviced refer to your instruction manual or contact the appliance retailer or supplier. They may also have a list of service agents. Alternatively, gasfitters and qualified service technicians are listed in the Yellow Pages. In particular, Energy Safety recommends that gas heaters, including flame-effect fires and cabinet heaters, be serviced annually.
What to look out for
Have any smell of gas investigated immediately.
If you have gas heaters, look out for signs that should alert you to problems with the heater.
Warning signs to look out for include:
a smell of gas from the appliance or in the building in general
difficulty in establishing a flame or unusual delays in flame ignition
an unusual flame pattern or a flame that has not fully established over the whole extent of the burner
blockage of burner ports or evidence of corrosion around burner ports
any alteration in the position of artificial logs or the burner bed of a heater
soot coming from the appliance or appearing on the inside of glass panels. If you identify any of these, please do not use the heater or installation. Have it assessed and serviced by a gasfitter or a qualified service technician as soon as possible.
LPG cabinet heaters
It is also important to get your LPG cabinet heater and cylinder checked by an LPG service agent. These are listed in the Yellow Pages under Gas Appliances, and on the Energy Safety website.
An LPG service agent will make sure your cabinet heater is safe to use and will check for things such as leaks, worn hoses, safe ignition, and that fittings are in good working order.
Getting other gas appliances checked
Whenever a licensed gas worker is working in your home, get them to check that your gas appliances and installations are safe. These include gas stoves and hot water heaters.
Your plumber may also be a gasfitter or craftsman gasfitter and will be able to carry out these checks.
Finally
Remember when you're using gas fires or heaters – keep a clear space of at least one metre from the heater. Energy Safety also recommends using a fire guard.
Homeowners who have any questions or need further advice should contact Energy Safety on free phone 0508 377 4636 or visit the Energy Safety Homepage.
Top tips for keeping safe with gas
Get you gas appliances checked, serviced and maintain regularly.
Have any smell of gas investigated immediately.
Always use a qualified and competent person to do service and maintenance work.
Having your appliances checked and serviced also helps to keep them running efficiently.
When you're using gas fires and heaters – keep at least one metre from the heater. Energy Safety also recommends using a fire guard.
*Energy Safety is the government agency responsible for ensuring the safe supply and use of electricity and gas.