How to get Gas on Site

Gas is frequently still the most cost-effective option for space heating and hot water, so if you’re self-building it’s essential to make sure your site has an appropriate supply.

The gas delivery network (GDN) across the British Isles is divided into eight distribution networks. These are owned by four UK-based operators, plus one in Ireland, who possess the gas pipes and are responsible for their performance, maintenance and for making new connections.

Take a look at the Energy Network Association’s website to find out which GDN is relevant to your plot. Application processes are fairly straightforward – armed with the right information, you can request a connection online or post it to the appropriate team.

In the same way as electricity distributors, each gas supplier is regulated by Ofgem to help ensure minimum levels of communication and service are provided.

The regulator has instigated an element of competition, meaning you can now approach one of eight independent gas transporters (IGTs) for new connections – as long as the company holds an accredited gas transporter’s licence regulated by the Gas Industry Registration Scheme (GIRS). This provider will automatically advise your local GDN that a new connection is underway.

New connections

Before applying for a supply, be clear about your consumption requirement. The amount of gas used is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). But your heating engineer will determine the supply needed based on peak demand in kilowatts (kW).

He or she will assess your building plans and consider all gas consumption throughout the finished property, including any demand for fires, hobs and boilers.

60kW seems to be the GDN’s cut-off point for a standard domestic meter size (which is known as a U6 meter). Broadly speaking, this is capable of shifting a maximum of 6m³ of gas per hour. Generally, anything above this would be deemed commercial levels of use, significantly reducing the number of gas-safe engineers available to install the supply.

The post How to get Gas on Site appeared first on Build It.

Article reference How to get Gas on Site