LPG FAQs
Find the info you need and answers to your questions about LPG and our service here
If you are new to LPG or thinking about switching to gas for your home or business, you probably have a lot of questions. To make it easier for you to make a well-informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of what we get asked most often. If your question is more specific or not on the list, feel free to contact our friendly customer service team. We’re here to help!
LPG is ideal for cooking, heating the home, and limitless hot water. It burns consistently, which makes it more reliable than many other forms of energy, and LPG can give you a perfect cooking experience. It’s no wonder that most professional chefs prefer to cook on gas.
Our LPG cylinder filling services come at competitive rates. Contract rates are available for delivery of 45 kg cylinders to domestic and commercial customers. Please talk to our team if you need more information
The gas cylinders are rented from us per annum, to be paid in advance and charged annually thereafter on the installation anniversary. If you move out of the area or cancel your contract for another reason, Far North Gas cylinders must be returned to one of the Far North Gas yards. Refills are charged from the date of delivery. If you want us to deliver LPG and you own your own cylinders, or if you need more information about our gas delivery services, please contact us.
We do not charge a delivery fee to our customers. With Far North Gas, there are no hidden fees.
Using LPG is safe, but it is important that your LPG appliances are professionally installed and working properly. Our advice is to get them serviced regularly. For more information about keeping yourself safe with gas, visit the LPG Association’s gas safety website.
LPG has a strong, unpleasant smell, a bit like rotten eggs. It has been deliberately added to help alert people in case of a gas leak. If you smell it, there’s no need to panic. The best thing to do is to turn off the gas supply at the meter or LPG cylinder – if safe to do so, open doors and windows, and contact a registered gas fitter to check the installation. Keep flames and sparks away, go outside to a safe place away from the building before you use your phone. In case of an emergency, call 111.
For your cylinder installation to operate safely and efficiently, each cylinder should sit on a concrete pad or individual pavers. A safety chain should secure your bottles to the wall to ensure they can’t fall over.
The change-over regulator (reg) is the gadget between your cylinders. If you have an automatic change over reg (pictured below) it will automatically switch from the empty cylinder to the full one when the first cylinder runs out. (If both cylinder’s taps are turned to the on position.)
When the viewing window on your regulator, located between your two bottles, is green or clear, there is LPG in both bottles.
When the viewing window has turned completely red, it means one bottle is empty and it is time to order a new bottle.
If your cylinder station has a manual regulator, you will need to turn on the valve on your reserve cylinder once the first cylinder is empty. Gas is then drawn from the second cylinder. Your gasfitter can advise you which type of regulator your set up has installed.
Most of our residential customers have two 45kg gas bottles. The best thing to do to make sure you don’t run out is to order as soon as one bottle is empty. You can continue using the other bottle. The regulator on top of your bottles indicates when a bottle is empty. When you see it turn red, that’s your signal to contact us for a refill delivery. We will pick up the empty cylinder, replace it with a full one, and reset the regulator.
Handy Hint: Many people mistake the directional arrow for a change-over valve. Please don’t adjust the directional arrow on the regulator. This only indicates to the driver which gas bottle is empty.
Another way to check the level is to feel the side of the LPG cylinder, and check where the temperature changes or if there is condensation. This is usually an indication of how full the bottle is.
- Pour warm (not boiling) water down the side of the bottle.
- Wait a few minutes
- Run your hand down the side of the bottle
- It will feel cool to the touch at the level of LPG or form condensation at this level.
One full bottle should last you up to 8 weeks. This is calculated based on a family of 2 adults & 2 children, using LPG for hot water & cooking. During winter, your usage is likely to increase and usage for gas fires or heaters will be different.
It’s a good idea to get into the habit of checking the change-over reg. Your change-over reg will have a viewing window/indicator – when both cylinders are full, the viewing window will show as CLEAR, BLACK OR GREEN. When this it shows RED, the bottle is empty.
Our delivery area covers most of the Far North, including rural areas. Check this page to see when and where we deliver or give us a call for more information.
We provide LPG bottle filling from 0.5 to 45kg. Our LPG filling depots can be found on 135 North Rd, Kaitaia (300m north of the roundabout) and 27 Walters Way, Cable Bay, just off State Highway 10 on the southern side of Doubtless Bay. If you would like us to deliver gas to your home or business, get in touch.
Yes, absolutely. If you need LPG to keep the forklifts in your business running smoothly, we can help. Feel free to contact us if you would like to know more.
Yes, you do. If there is a dog on the property it will have to be restrained when we deliver your LPG. Safety first!
Not a lot. You don’t even have to be home when we deliver. Just make sure there is space for the driver to park safely while making the delivery, keep the area clear of obstructions and if you have a dog, please keep it indoors or restrained.
Access to the cylinder area should be clear and your property must be compliant with NZS8004.1. If you have a steep or narrow driveway or access way, or steep steps or ramps, please let us know so we can assess it. If your property has a locked gate, please advise us of the code beforehand if you’re not home when we deliver.
If you are new to LPG, you will need a gasfitter to organise the connection. Repair work must also be done by a certified gasfitter, from the tank gas valve to the house. Find a gasfitter in the Far North.
No, we don’t deliver LPG on Sundays or public holidays. If you’re running low, make sure to order your LPG on time and see our delivery days and areas here.
LPG stored in a safe cylinder that’s in good condition, not rusty or damaged, can be kept and used for a long time. Several years, in fact as LPG never goes bad. Just make sure your bottles are stored upright in a well-ventilated area and that the cylinder isn’t leaking from the valve or hose connection.
If that happens, we’ll need to know as soon as possible. Your insurance company should cover the cost.
Your LPG questions not answered above?
If you have any other questions about our services or LPG? Take a look at our LPG Supply page or ask our friendly team.