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Are Gas Heaters Prohibited In Australia?
As you can probably imagine, there are copious reasons why gas heaters have been banned in Australia. This article will examine the main concerns about using gas heating systems in Australian homes. You will discover the safest and probably most efficient ways of heating your home through it.
Hazards Caused By Gas Heaters
Public Health Risks
Although natural gas emits far less carbon dioxide per unit of energy than other fossil fuels such as petrol or coal, it is still an extremely potent greenhouse gas. Methane has even more powerful greenhouse effects than carbon dioxide, so you should consider the net impact of leaks too.
Carbon monoxide is produced in significant amounts when using natural gas appliances with poor ventilation or incomplete combustion. Poor installation, maintenance, and poorly adjusted or badly ventilated flue systems can all cause leaks of CO into living spaces.
This build-up of CO can lead to headaches, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and muscular weakness, which some people confuse with flu symptoms. While CO has no visible effect on health, the harmful effects of CO can accumulate over long periods, which is why it needs to be monitored.
Compared to heaters that burn liquid petroleum gas (LPG), emissions from natural gas heaters may be less harmful. However, these emissions still contain several noxious gases such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Climate Change
Using fossil fuels like natural gas for heating contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, affecting our climate. The arduous effects of global warming are currently being felt worldwide. Australia is not immune: increased storm activity, more severe bushfire conditions, longer periods of drought, and higher rainfall all pose significant problems for Australian society.
Safety Risk During Fire Emergency
Natural gas appliances pose a unique fire safety hazard as the high temperatures of the flame can ignite any combustible material near it. It is also worth noting that natural gas flames emit infrared radiation, which can propagate fires without heating the surrounding air enough to trigger thermal or visible smoke alarms.
If you are ever trapped inside a building and have to choose between an enclosed space with a blazing heating appliance and one with an unlit stove, it would be better to take your chances with the dark stove because at least you would have some clarity. Non-natural sources of heat are generally considered safer if they are correctly installed and maintained, so consider using electric or solar panel heating systems instead.
Environmental Pollution
Gas heaters, just like any internal combustion engines, emit pollutants into the environment. These include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (e.g., volatile organic compounds or VOCs), and particulate matter (PM10).
CO is a poisonous gas emitted by the incomplete combustion of fuel. It limits the oxygen level available for your heart, brain, and muscles and can cause death within minutes at very high doses. Breathing in concentrated amounts of NO2 can irritate the nose and throat and affect the lungs.
Foul Smell
Most propane-based gas heater systems smell like a fart. However, it is improbable that you would be comfortable living in a house that smells like someone else’s fart. Ventilation can help a bit, but the smell will be there no matter what. Exposure to high levels of VOCs and PM10 for a long time can cause health risks such as headaches, nausea, respiratory diseases, low birth weight babies, and cancer.
So, even though gas heaters are more efficient than their electric counterparts, they emit several other pollutants that contribute to global warming as well as localised pollution. This is why many countries have banned gas heaters indoors – it’s just not worth the risk! Australia is also considering banning the installation of new gas stoves as well as old-style wood fire heaters in favour of more environmentally friendly alternatives.
There are also concerns that gas heaters do not produce enough ‘real’ heat, and therefore consumers unknowingly use them more than necessary. If you used them for just six hours a day, the carbon emissions would exceed what a car that’s driven for two years would emit.
Limit Exposure To Harmful Chemicals From Gas Heaters
Gas heaters release gases that can be potentially deadly if allowed to build up. Carbon monoxide (CO) is by far one of the most dangerous, as it reduces the ability to absorb oxygen in the body. When CO levels build up, blood flow decreases and can cause severe illness or even death if not treated.
Other pollutants include nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), which lead to breathing issues; and benzene, which increases cancer risk. Benzene has also been linked with memory loss and other neurological disorders. Here is what to do to protect yourself from such chemicals:
- Do not use unflued gas heating in your house if you have a faulty ventilation system.
- If you choose to install a gas heater, ensure it is certified by an accredited ecolabelling program such as the Australian Gas Star Scheme or Energy Rating Label Scheme.
- Keep all flammable objects away from heaters and do not place them too close.
- Keep at least one window open in every room when using a gas heater to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
What To Do If You Smell Gas
Sour Gas
Australia is particularly vulnerable to sour gas leaks. This is where methane comes into contact with water and forms hydrogen sulfide. It is also known as sewer gas because it often begins near sewerage systems – decomposing organic matter can yield hydrogen sulfide (similar to human waste). Hydrogen sulfide smells like rotten eggs, but only at low concentrations, making it difficult to detect by smell or other senses. At high concentrations, humans can die within minutes. The hydrogen sulfide given off by sour gas is highly poisonous and can cause brain damage, blindness, or death.
Another dangerous aspect of sour gas is that it makes other gases flammable – so if there’s a leak, the entire area could explode! Sour gas leaks are sporadic in Australia but can be life-threatening if they occur. If you smell sewer gas, evacuate immediately and report it to authorities. No amount of ventilation will clear out this kind of gas – evacuation is your only option.
Sulfur Dioxide
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) enters our atmosphere from burning fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. It contributes to acid rain and air pollution, both of which are harmful to humans. So, the Australian government has put in place legislation that makes unflued gas heaters illegal to use indoors – many other countries have done this too.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Liquefied petroleum gas, commonly known as propane, is a fossil fuel generally used for heating camping stoves and outdoor grills. It is colourless and odourless but can be identified by its sharp smell. Although it contains the same chemical components as natural gas (methane), LPG does not burn as cleanly or efficiently because of other substances in the mixture.
Liquid Petroleum Gas consists primarily of propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10), iso-butane (i-C4H8), and non-combustible gases like methane ethane, etc. These heavier hydrocarbons prevent the mixture from burning completely unless heated to high temperatures.
LPG is frequently used as a fuel for vehicles and cooking and has long been popular in developing countries for cooking and heating. The vaporised gas is called Autogas, which refers to the mixture itself. It can be manufactured from fossil fuels or biofuels. The most common name of LPG is propane.
Propane has an advantage over combustible fuels like firewood, charcoal, and coke since it is easily transportable by road or rail, piped into town gas networks, or compressed into cylinders. Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders are transported on pallets, usually at high-volume terminals where distributors have their storage tanks filled by bulk tanker trucks delivering refined product from refinery terminals or import terminals.
This method of transport is known as road or rail “bulk.” Filling large containers with propane gives the advantage of having a cheaper and safer alternative than transporting LPG in smaller containers.
Types of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Golden Butane
You can use this type of LPG for cooking, heating, etc. Golden butane has the highest purity level among all other forms of butane. It is more expensive than standard propane gas because it contains fewer impurities like water vapour, oxygen, and argon, making it more suitable for use in extreme weather conditions without affecting its performance.
The costlier properties of golden butane make it ideal for commercial uses rather than household purposes.
Commercial Grade Propane
It is used commercially, mainly for heating purposes. Commercial grade propane comes packed in much larger tanks than regular household propane gas bottles – so you need much more space for storing them at home, or you can opt to hire a bigger storage unit if doing business out of your home.
The higher purity in commercial-grade propane allows it to heat your home with greater efficiency and at a faster rate with less wastage of fuel. Commercial grade butane contains higher concentrations of normal butane than golden butane or commercial propane gas. This type of butane is mainly used for household purposes such as cooking, heating, etc.
Since this gas is cheaper than golden and commercial propane, you can use it for household purposes daily.
Benefits of Using Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cabinet heaters have many benefits, especially if you’re looking for something to heat your home or office. While LPG gas is usually more expensive than any other way of heating the area, some benefits make it worth it.
Better Smell
LPG often emits little to no odours because it doesn’t have additives like other fuels. This smell contributes to the fresh air in offices and homes.
Less Risk of Fire
Since LPG is stored in airtight tanks, it is much safer than gasoline. Gasoline is a highly flammable substance and can be hazardous when exposed to fire. The gas is safe enough not to need a pilot light or a match to ignite the flame.
Healthier to Use
One of the main reasons to use liquefied petroleum gas as a way of heating your home or office space is because it’s healthier for those who live there. There are no harmful particles that come from coal, oil, wood, or other potential fuel sources, which means improved air quality as well as reduced risk for respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Another health benefit is a reduced risk for heart disease.
Easily Accessible
Since LPG is delivered right to your home or office by a fuel supplier, it’s easy to keep stocked up on this heating option. Most people never run out of heating gas because they’re able to stay well-stocked. You can also order refills online or through an automated phone service. Just make sure that the company has your current information to know precisely where and when to deliver the next supply.
Seeking Professional Assistance
Some Australian states require homeowners to replace older appliances like a gas stove with newer models that run on electricity. They also recommend that you hire a professional inspector to maintain gas lines and central heating pipes to keep them clear of debris and ensure they won’t leak at any point.
A qualified gas fitter is in a position to secure your property from any gas heater explosions resulting from leaks. Always contact a registered gas fitter for your health and safety.
