LPG FAQ

Yes, many natural gas appliances can be converted to run on LPG. There is likely a cost to convert your natural gas appliance as LPG operates at a higher pressure than natural gas, so speak with your gas fitter or the appliance retailer/manufacturer for more information.

For the foreseeable future, we see LPG as an essential complement to renewable energy technologies.

Importing our LPG from offshore suppliers, as well as getting some locally, means we’re not reliant on any one producer and can deliver a more resilient energy supply.

No – quite the opposite! LPG is produced by countries all over the world (such as the United States, India and Japan). That means that New Zealand’s LPG supply is protected against supply shortages from any one area. Currently Rockgas imports the majority of its LPG from Australia and has a domestic supply as well.

LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and LNG (liquefied natural gas) are different gases with different uses and supply chains.

LPG is mainly propane and butane. It is stored as a liquid under pressure and is commonly supplied to homes and businesses in bottles or bulk tanks. LPG is widely used for cooking, hot water, space heating and barbecues, especially in areas without access to natural gas pipelines.

LNG is natural gas (mostly methane) that has been cooled to a very low temperature, so it becomes a liquid for transport. LNG is not used directly by customers. Instead, it is shipped in bulk, converted back into natural gas, and then delivered through a piped gas network. Natural gas supplied this way is typically used in larger urban areas and by electricity generators and industrial users.

In short, LPG is a portable bottled gas, while LNG is a way of transporting natural gas for pipeline supply. They are not interchangeable and serve different parts of New Zealand’s energy system.

Yes. In almost every part of New Zealand, 45kg LPG bottles can be delivered and replaced when empty. This makes LPG a reliable and practical energy option wherever you live.

No! As any Kiwi barbecue fan will tell you, a LPG barbie is a great way to cook. But the same LPG that fills your 9kg bottle is exactly the same convenient, high-energy fuel that gets delivered in larger 45kg bottles to homes and businesses.

Yes, absolutely. A house powered by LPG delivered in bottles can run the same kinds of appliances a piped natural gas one can. That includes continuous flow water heating or a hot water cylinder, a gas cooktop and gas heaters.

They sure do. More than 300,000 New Zealand homes and businesses have LPG delivered to heat their water, cook their meals and keep their families warm.

LPG, aka liquified petroleum gas, can be propane or a mix of propane and butane. Natural gas is mostly methane.

All forms of energy have environmental impacts, and LPG is no exception. However, LPG plays an important role in New Zealand’s energy mix, particularly where electricity or piped gas is not readily available. Used appropriately, LPG can complement renewable energy by providing reliable, on demand energy.

Using efficient appliances and being sensible about how much energy you use is good practice no matter what energy source you choose.