How Do I Get A New Gas Supply - Step by Step Guide

Gas is one of the basic requirements, whether it is a residential or non-residential property. Ideally, every property should have a gas system in place these days. However, some properties might not be connected with a gas distribution system due to multiple reasons, especially if it is a newly built property. In that case, the landlords and home or business owners would need to get a gas supply connection for their properties.

Generally, getting a new Gas Supply Connection is relevant for a new build residential or commercial property. But it is equally important when installing a gas system for the first time in an existing domestic or non-domestic property. In any case, the process of getting a new gas connection involves a series of steps that need to be taken by the landlords or homeowners. It also involves a careful evaluation of the requirements of that particular property, which includes calculation of potential gas consumption and size of gas pipes, among many other considerations. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to getting a new gas supply for your residential or commercial property. 

Check the Current Status of the Property

The first step is to check whether the property is currently using gas or not. In case of newly built properties, there might not be any existing gas connection. In any case, you need to check for any existing gas supply connection:

• Search for a meter. Generally, it can be found near the main entrance of the building. If a gas meter is installed, it means gas is already available in this building. 
• If still unsure, contact the previous owners to confirm if there is a gas supply connection in place.

However, in the following cases, you will require a new gas supply connection:

• If you are building a new property for residential or commercial purposes.
• If you are planning to switch your property from electric to a gas heating system.

If the building does not have a gas supply connection, you need to proceed with getting it. 

Apply for New Gas Connection

Once it is established that there is no existing gas connection in the property, you need to contact the Local Gas Distribution Network (GDN) to get a new connection. This can be done by searching the relevant gas distribution network. Multiple websites provide this information.

Contact the GDN and apply for a new gas connection. It may involve payment of a prescribed fee. The GDN will conduct the site survey. On completion of the survey, the GDN will install the gas mains. Remember, the role of GDN is to install the gas mains. To get a gas supply, you need to follow the next step.

Search for Gas Supplier / Gas Transporter

A gas supplier or Gas Transporter is a company that connects the property to the main gas supply network. There might be different companies in and around your area. You need to find the relevant company for this purpose, which can be searched on different websites.

Once the relevant gas transporter/supplier is found, you need to get a Quote for a connection from them. The quote would typically depend on the following considerations:

• Distance from the gas main, nearest to your location. 
• Length of gas pipes required.
• Route of laying gas pipes.
• Type of property. The quote would be higher for a commercial property as compared to a residential one. 

Upon accepting their quote, you may be required to sign a contract with the gas suppliers to initiate the gas connection work. It may take a couple of weeks to complete this work, as it may also involve permission from the relevant bodies, if digging is required in a public place. 

Installation of Gas Meter

The gas supply connection only involves laying gas pipes to your building. The gas meter is not included. It needs to be done separately. The gas supplier company will install the gas meter, usually involving no extra cost. However, in some cases, they may also charge a separate fee for the installation of a gas meter. If possible, get a smart gas meter, which facilitates efficient tracking. 

Conduct a Gas Safety Check before Commissioning

Upon successful completion of obtaining a new gas supply connection and installing a gas meter, you must have the entire gas system inspected for Gas Safety, as required by the gas safety regulations. This needs to be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. 

After the successful completion of the entire process of the gas safety check, the Gas Safe Registered Engineer will commission the new gas supply connection to your property. Getting a Gas Safe Certificate at this stage is also mandatory, CP12 in the case of a residential property and CP42 for commercial properties. 

Important

• The process of getting a new gas supply connection for a residential property may take around 2 to 4 weeks, whereas for a commercial property it may take 6 to 12 weeks.
• Grants/schemes may also be available for low-income individuals, which can be checked and availed by contacting the local council. 

Cost of New Gas Supply Connection 

The overall cost of a new gas supply connection may vary on a case-by-case basis, involving diverse factors. However, typically a new gas connection may fall somewhere in the following range.

• For new Gas Connections at a residential property involving a standard short distance, the cost may fall somewhere between £500 and £1,500.
• For larger commercial properties, or properties involving long distances, the overall cost may start from £1,500 and may rise even more than £5,000. 

The exact cost may also vary based on other factors as well. You need to compare the quotes before placing the order.

Other Critical Considerations

Evaluating the gas load while getting a new gas supply connection is critically important. The gas load needs to be carefully calculated.

Calculation of Gas Load

Gas load or gas demand is calculated in terms of kWh. It involves the following steps.

• Compile a complete list of gas appliances proposed to be installed in the property, such as Boiler, Cooker/hob, Oven, fireplace, and water heater. 
• The gas consumption of each appliance is necessarily mentioned by the manufacturer on the appliance. 
• Normally, the gas consumption of gas appliances may fall in the following range:
  • Boilers. 25 to 30 kW
  • Cooker/hob. 3 to 8 kW
  • Fireplace.  3 to 6 kW
  • Water heater. 10 to 15 kW
• These are the maximum ranges of consumption. However, a gas appliance may not use the maximum gas all the time. Hence, to get to a reasonable gas consumption requirement, the total of above above-referred ranges needs to be multiplied by a diversity factor, which in this case might be 0.75. 
• In this way, the total gas load can be evaluated, which for a normal residential property would ideally be less than 30 kW. 

Gas Meter Specification

The gas meter must be compatible with the total gas load. Domestic gas meters usually support up to 60 kW. Hence for a standard domestic gas consumption of around 30 kW, the standard domestic gas meter should be sufficient.

However, for large properties, including commercial units, a bigger gas meter will be required, such as U6 or U16.

Important

• Gas Pipe Size and material depend on the gas load. For a larger gas load, bigger bigger-sized pipe would be required. The material of the gas pipe should either be steel or copper. 
• Consult a Gas Safe registered engineer to verify and confirm the gas load evaluation. It is necessary for gas safety of the property and is also a legal requirement.
• The gas safe registered engineer will confirm the load calculation and match it with the pipe size. 
• The final calculation of load will be used to get an appropriate gas supply connection. 

Conclusion

Getting a new gas supply connection is quite a lengthy process, as it involves different steps, which may take several weeks to complete. Hence, it is essential first to check and verify if the property you are moving in, have a gas supply connection or not. However, if you move into a newly constructed property, you will need a new gas supply connection.

The process of applying for and getting a new gas supply involves a series of steps. Each step requires careful consideration and must be executed vigilantly. Any lapse at any stage may result in complications at a later stage. More importantly, the gas load (gas demand) should be carefully calculated before applying for a new gas connection, as the gas meter capacity and the size of the gas pipes need to be determined based on these evaluations. Finally, the entire gas installation must be conducted and checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It is not only important for the safety of the property, but it is also a legal requirement under the gas safety regulations.