Gasfitting

The cost of a gasfitter depends on the job, the appliance and how much pipework is needed. Optiplumb charges $100 + GST per hour for gasfitting work such as servicing, repairs and safety checks. For installations such as continuous flow hot water, gas heaters, fireplaces and new gas lines, we provide a written quote before work begins. Gas certificates are charged separately, as the certificate required depends on the risk level of the work, which we confirm onsite.

If you smell gas, turn off all gas appliances and shut off the gas at the meter or LPG bottles if it is safe to do so. Open doors and windows, and don't use light switches, electrical appliances, phones or anything that could spark near the smell. Leave the building and call your gas retailer's emergency line, or 111 if the smell is strong. Once the area is safe, call Optiplumb on 0800 678 475 to find and repair the leak.

A Certificate of Verification confirms that an existing gas installation is safe. You may need one if you can't find the original gas certificate for your property, for example after buying a house. Gas providers can ask for proof of certification before they supply gas or refill LPG bottles. A certifying gasfitter from Optiplumb can inspect and test your installation and issue a COV so your supply can continue.

In New Zealand, gasfitters must issue a Certificate of Compliance for general and high-risk gasfitting, and a Gas Safety Certificate once the work is connected to the gas supply. High-risk work is also recorded on WorkSafe's high-risk database. Keep your certificates somewhere safe, as you may need them when selling your property, making an insurance claim or arranging gas supply.

Most gas heaters, fireplaces and hot water units should be serviced every 1 - 2 years depending on the useage & age, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Regular servicing keeps appliances running efficiently and helps pick up faults such as leaks or poor combustion early. When Optiplumb services your gas appliance for the first time, we add it to our customer database and remind you when the next service is due.

Warning signs include a yellow or orange flame instead of a crisp blue flame, soot or black marks around the appliance, a pilot light that keeps going out, or condensation on nearby windows. Headaches, dizziness, nausea or drowsiness when an appliance is running can indicate carbon monoxide. If you notice any of these, turn the appliance off, ventilate the room and call a licensed gasfitter before using it again.

Continuous flow gas hot water heats water only when you turn on a tap, so you won't run out of hot water and there is no energy lost keeping a cylinder hot. The units mount on an outside wall, which frees up cupboard space. The right choice depends on your household's hot water use, gas supply and budget. Optiplumb can size and install a continuous flow system e.g. Rinnai, Rheem, Thermann and Dux, or advise whether a cylinder is a better fit.

Natural gas is supplied through a street network and is available in parts of Hamilton and some Waikato towns. LPG is delivered in bottles and can be used anywhere, making it the usual option for rural properties or streets without a gas network. Many appliances can run on either, but they must be set up for the correct gas type. Optiplumb can check whether natural gas is available at your address and install or convert appliances to suit.

Yes. Optiplumb installs inbuilt and freestanding gas fireplaces, gas heaters and flued appliances for homes and businesses across the Waikato. We can design, supply and install your appliance, or install a unit you’ve already purchased. We’ll advise on appliance size, flue location and gas supply, run the gas line, install and test the appliance, and issue the required certificates.

No. Gasfitting is restricted work in New Zealand and must be done by a gasfitter authorised by the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). Unauthorised gasfitting can result in fines of up to $50,000, may void your home insurance and puts your household at risk of fire, explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning.