Switching to Gas (A Guide on What to Switch and the Process to Follow)
There are numerous appliances that you can, in just a few simple steps, switch from electricity to gas.
The benefits of switching to gas make the effort, and the expense, worth it.
From saving costs to being more environmentally friendly, to saving yourself the headaches that come with loadshedding, gas appliances are a popular choice for many South Africans wanting to simplify their lives.
As more homes and businesses chose gas, we are finding that people are looking for information about how they can make the switch. And in this blog, we’re going to give you a quick and simple breakdown of what you need to know.
Understanding the Basics
Gas and electricity differ significantly as energy sources.
While electricity is still the most common choice in South Africa, gas is becoming increasingly available to the public, with more and more appliances being designed to run on gas. While there are significant differences, once you have a gas appliance installed, you probably won’t even notice the change because adapting to using gas appliances is generally a seamless transition.
Understanding your Needs
Every household or business can benefit in one way or another by installing gas appliances.
But you first have to understand your needs.
If heating is your greatest issue, then you have to take the time to learn more about the various appliances relating to heating. The same goes with everything else. While you are learning more about your needs, you should also look closely at the costs involved as well as how you might save on costs too.
Some of the most common appliances that you can switch over to gas include stove tops, heaters, geysers, refrigerators, and hobs.
Switching to using gas should not be a DIY project, unless you have the experience and the know-how. You should always consult with a professional gas company to ensure a safe and effective transition. Keep in mind that gas appliances may require also different maintenance routines compared to their electric counterparts, so you will have to become familiar with this too.
Choosing the Right Gas Supplier
Once you have done all of the hard work (all of the research and the planning) the next step is to find the very best gas supplier.
A local gas company in Pretoria can be most helpful, as you will want someone close by whom you can trust and who can come out quickly if you have problems, although if you work with a reputable supplier, there shouldn’t be problems.
South Africa is home to many different gas suppliers, so consider things like pricing, their offerings, and their reliability when you are looking for someone. You should also ask about possible contracts and payment plans.
Installing Gas Infrastructure
Now comes the time to install the necessary infrastructure. Generally, gas bottles are not directly attached to the appliances. Instead, they are connected via an infrastructure of pipes. The bottles are also generally on the large side, so a specific place will need to be made for the bottle to safely stand.
At this point of the process, it is so important that you have found a trustworthy gas infrastructure installer as the installation is not something you want to mess up. The process might involve the installer having to cut into your wall to fit pipes, especially stovetops and hobs, and there might also be some outside piping that will be visible.
The gas company that you are working with should also connect your appliances to the system, unless you are using appliances that don’t need to be permanently connected.
To get the best price, make sure that you shop around a little bit and get quotes from a few companies.
A Quick Disclaimer
This information is a general guide to get you going. The processes involved could vary from one company to the next so make sure that you talk to the various gas companies to find out how they do things.
At Budget Gas, we have everything you need in order to make the switch to gas. Contact us today for more information.