Indoor Gas Heater NZ – LPG Heater
An indoor gas heater NZ could be a natural gas or LPG heater (LPG gas heater) for heat distribution.
A gas heater could be radiant or convection heaters, and either flued or unflued.
Gas heaters can be subdivided into outdoor and indoor gas heater in NZ.
An indoor LPG heater in NZ includes unflued portable gas heaters, flued gas heaters, radiant gas heaters, convector gas heaters, radiant-convectors, and gas fireplaces.
Gas heater sub-types include radiant portable LPG heater (LPG gas heater), convectors, radiant-convectors, flued radiant, freestanding fireplaces, fireplace inserts, inbuilt fireplace gas heaters, and power flued gas heaters.
A gas heater is an energy-efficient way to heat your home.
Gas heater hallmarks are fast heating and on-demand warmth.
A gas heater works well in large spaces, too, so there’s no better way to provide cozy warmth to every corner of your home than with an LPG heater (LPG gas heater).
With a wide range of gas heater appliances to choose from, there is an LPG heater (LPG gas heater) model that is just right for your home.
Natural Gas Heating & LPG Heater for Sale
Depending on the model and make, an LPG heater (LPG gas heater) will require an LPG gas cylinder or natural gas as fuel.
Both gas heater types can provide on-demand heating and warmth to homes.
Newer indoor gas heater NZ systems have improved designs that are more fuel-efficient, economical, and durable than old gas heater models.
Many local appliance retailers and gas heating centres sell an energy-efficient gas heater of both types.
Common LPG Gas Heater & Natural Gas Heating Mistakes
Finding the best LPG heater (LPG gas heater) and natural gas heating systems for your home means knowing the fuel type, the heating capacity you need, your budget, and other more specific factors.
Here’s a few things to think about when considering an indoor gas heater NZ for your home:
1. Choose a gas heater compatible with your home gas supply
You can choose from two types of indoor gas heater in NZ: natural gas heating and LPG heater (LPG gas heater).
A gas heater is manufactured for only one specific gas type and will not work safely with other type of gas.
You need to make sure you buy a gas heater model for the type of gas in your home.
Always double-check that the gas heater for sale is the right fuel type.
But why?
There are three main differences in how an LPG heater (LPG gas heater) and natural gas heating work.
- LPG has a higher calorific value or energy content, so less gas is required to produce the same amount of heat as you would with natural gas.
- The oxygen-to-fuel ratio required for proper combustion is different.
- The incoming gas pressure is higher for an LPG heater (LPG gas heater).
An LPG heater (LPG gas heater) requires an oxygen-to-gas ratio of approximately 25 to 1, while natural gas heating requires a ratio of around 10 to 1.
To achieve this difference, the gas heater can be provided with different size gas jets and burners.
LPG is typically provided in a smaller quantity but at a higher pressure, drawing more oxygen into the burner.
2. If your gas heater is not compatible with your home fuel – convert it or buy a new appliance
Never attempt to connect a gas heater to the wrong type of gas, as it can be extremely hazardous.
If you have a natural gas heater but your home gas runs on LPG, or vica versa, then you will need to either have a licensed professional convert your gas heater to run on a different fuel, or you need to buy a new gas heater that is compatible with your home gas supply.
Modifying a gas heater is always a job for a professional.
Gas heater conversion is not always possible, based on the age and model of gas heater you have, as the manufacturer may not offer conversion kits for older gas heater models.
3. Use the correct gas heater size for your space
Gas heaters come with in various sizes with different heat outputs.
If you buy an LPG heater (LPG gas heater) that’s too small for your home area, it will not be able to adequately heat the intended area.
Buying a gas heater that is too large, on the other hand, will cost you extra money, and oversizing can be unsafe.
Like Goldilocks, you want the gas heater that is just right.
You can use the gas heater table below as a rough guide, or speak to your LPG heater (LPG gas heater) store representative to determine which size gas heater is best for your home or specific use.
Gas Heater Sizing Guide
| Room Size | kW Heat Output | Gas Consumption |
| Small (29–42sqm) | 2.9–4.2kW | 13–15MJ/h |
| Medium (46–66sqm) | 3.4–6.6kW | 18–21MJ/h |
| Large (52–82sqm) | 5.2–8.2kW | 23+MJ/h |
These are generalised recommendations. You should consult the manufacturers’ sizing guides to make a final decision.
4. Check the gas heater specifications before you buy
When buying an LPG heater (LPG gas heater) you need to make sure it is the right fuel type, is the right size for your space, and has a good star rating for energy efficiency.
Compare gas heater options and make sure you get the best choice for your home, in that it will not only heat the area intended but also do it cost efficiently.
What Size Natural Gas or LPG Gas Heater Do I Need?
Finding the right LPG heater (LPG gas heater)/NG gas heater size for your needs will help keep your room warm without breaking the bank or hurting your energy bill.
What to Consider with a Gas Heater
A number of things need to be considered when determining your gas heater sizing:
- The volume of the area to be heated, including the ceiling height.
- The climate zone that you live in. Whether you’re in a warmer NZ region or one of those experiencing frigid cold winters.
- The physical features of your home, include wall & ceiling insulation, window coverings, and carpeting.
- The kW heat output of the gas heater. Not to be confused with the MJ gas input.
Gas Heater Area Volume & Climate Zone
The required gas heater kW output primarily depends upon the area to be heated and the climate zone in which you live.
You want the best LPG heater (LPG gas heater) with the right heating capacity (kW) that meets the required heat output.
The following rough guide assumes your ceilings are no higher than 2.4M:
- Very Cold Zone: 1kW output required for each 8.5m²
- Cold Zone: 1 kW output required for each 10m²
- Cool Zone: 1kW output required for each 13 m²
- Mild Zone: 1kW output required for each 16m²
Gas Heater Adjustment Factors
The indicated heating areas would be adjusted down by 5% for each of the following conditions: houses built on pillars (non-slab), no carpets on floors, no drapes on windows, or a ceiling height exceeding 2.4m.
This must also be factored in when selecting the best LPG heater (LPG gas heater) for sale that meets this adjusted heat output.
Deduct an additional 10% if the area does not have ceiling insulation.
Please note that this is only a gas heater guide, and individual home designs and situations may vary.
LPG Heater (LPG gas heater) Sizing Example #1:
You live in the Cold Zone and want to heat an area 5m X 10m, which equals 50m². Because 1kW will heat 10m², you should need a gas heater with a 5kW output.
LPG Heater (LPG gas heater) Sizing Example #2:
Same as the previous example, but in this case, your ceilings are over 2.4m, and you have wood flooring instead of carpeting.
You would need to deduct 5% for each of these two items.
So, instead of 1 kW heating 10m², it would heat 9m² (10% total reduction).
This means you would need a gas heater with 5.6 kW of output (50 ÷ 9).
Use kW, not MJ, for Natural Gas or LPG Heater
Megajoules per Hour (MJ/hr) ratings on appliances indicate the gas heater gas consumption, not the heat output.
Many LPG heater (LPG gas heater) for sale are advertised using MJ ratings.
You need to ask our LPG technicians about the kW gas heater output rating, which is often expressed as just MJ. Kilowatt-hour (kWh or just kW) measuring gas heater output.
Look at the specifications on the gas heater box, the manufacturer’s website or in the Owners Manual.
Energy Efficiency Matters: Star Ratings for Natural & LPG Gas Heater
Remember to use both kW and MJ when comparing gas heater models.
The efficiency of the gas heater for sale, in converting gas energy to heat, is a key factor.
For example, a 25MJ LPG heater (LPG gas heater) for sale with a 5.8 Star rating has an output of 6.2kW.
A 25MJ LPG heater (LPG gas heater) with a 2.8 Star rating only has an output of 5.0kW.
As a result, in a Cold Zone climate, they would heat 62m² and 50m², respectively.
This means that the 5.8 Star gas heater will heat an area 24% larger while using the same amount of gas.
Please refer to the manufacturers’ specifications to determine the exact kW output and MJ input for each gas heater you are considering.
Star Ratings and Thermal Efficiency Chart
| Star Ratings | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 |
| Thermal Efficiency | 61% | 64% | 67% | 70% | 73% | 76% | 79% | 82% | 85% | 88% | 91% |
Minimum Room Sizing
Portable LPG heater (LPG gas heater) for sale should not be used in bedrooms, bathrooms, or hallways.
The government may specify the minimum room size (volume of room in M³) and minimum ventilation requirements for an unflued gas heater.
Minimum room size also varies between a thermostatically controlled and manually controlled gas heater.
All gas heater installations must comply with Australian/NZ Standard AS5601 – Gas Installations.
Your gas fitter can guide you on many of these points.
Manufacturer Sizing Charts for Natural Gas or LPG Gas Heaters
To make it even easier, some manufacturers have sizing charts for their gas heater models, based on climate zone maps.
Measure the area you wish to heat and use these charts and maps to buy the correctly sized LPG heater (LPG gas heater) for sale.
It is always wise to follow the gas heater manufacturer’s advice.