Are you gas ready this winter?

With temperatures dropping, AusNet Services (AusNet) is encouraging its customers to ensure their homes and businesses are gas ready for winter.

AusNet Executive General Manager, Network Operations and Safety, Prue Crawford-Flett, said over 760,000 customers within its gas distribution network are now firing up their gas appliances a lot more. Following a few simple steps now can help keep people safe, warm and energy efficient over winter.

“A good first step is to make sure your gas appliances are serviced in line with the manufacturer’s specifications. For safety, gas heaters should be serviced every two years.
“Natural gas is flammable and gas appliances can leak carbon monoxide, making them dangerous if they’re not properly serviced. Make sure you use a qualified gasfitter to maintain the safety of your gas appliances in your home and business,” Ms Crawford-Flett said.

“We’ve completed a number of major gas projects to keep your gas flowing safely and reliably. Last year we upgraded around 55 kilometres of low and medium pressure mains to high pressure mains, including many of the oldest mains within our network across Melbourne’s inner west, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Colac.”

This year AusNet will upgrade around 72 kilometres of low-pressure mains in Ballarat and Colac and continue upgrading and improving the gas network in Melbourne’s inner west, Geelong, Portland, Horsham, Stawell, the Macedon Ranges, Gisborne, Leopold, Sunbury and Sunbury East.

During winter, peak demand and unforeseen events may cause temporary interruptions to gas supply on the fringes of our network so it’s important to know what to do during an outage:

Call 13 67 07 to report any gas leaks or interruptions to your gas supply. You don’t need to turn your gas meter off before calling AusNet.
Stay away from suspected faulty or leaking gas pipes.
Life support customers can call AusNet’s priority line on 1800 818 832, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Our priority is to restore supply as quickly as possible to reduce any impact to our customers,” said Ms Crawford-Flett.

To receive updates about planned and unplanned outages and the latest news on network improvements, AusNet customers should:

register their mobile and email address with their gas retailer – they’ll pass it onto AusNet
follow AusNet on Facebook and Twitter.

Gas ready checklist

Get gas appliances serviced by qualified gasfitters.
Close rooms and ducted vents when not in use.
Install draught seals on external windows and doors; this could save you up to $30 per year.
Set heater thermostats between 18 and 20 degrees; every degree higher can add 15 per cent to your bills.
Keep AusNet’s emergency numbers handy: 13 67 07 for gas leaks or interruptions to supply; 1800 818 832 for life support customers.
For more information on being gas ready this winter, visit ausnetservices.com.au/gasready.