Gas bill a nasty wake up for Clint

By REBECCA DEVINE in Rotorua
Gas heating was a huge factor when Clint and Michelle Fouche bought their new home in Rotorua.

They had been told gas was an effective - and cheap - way to keep warm during the winter.

But the couple had a nasty awakening when their first gas bill arrived.

When looking at houses, Mr Fouche was told by a real estate agent the gas underfloor heating, as well as gas hot water heating in the Otonga Rd home they eventually bought, would be cheaper than electricity.

And while having gas certainly has its advantages it is not always the cheapest way to heat the home.

The latest energy bill for the family of three was more than $400 for a month. About $150 of that was for electricity, the rest for gas.

"It was a shock. That's like another mortgage," said Mr Fouche.

Despite the shock of that $400 gas bill, the couple still believe gas is a good option for heating homes.

Mr Fouche said it was healthy to be in a warm environment - especially for the couple's two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Isabella.

"The underfloor heating is a nice touch."

While the house they are in also has a fireplace, the family are planning to stick to gas. This week they are having gas fitters take a look at their equipment - which is a few years old - to check pressure and look for any possible leaks.

"We're hoping they can make some suggestion on how to use it more efficiently," said Mr Fouche.

The family already used a timer to make sure the heating was only on for a few hours a day, when it was most needed, he said.

Since the expensive bill they have looked at getting a heat pump or resorting to using the fire but think they will stick with the gas.

"A fireplace only heats up one room, the gas underfloor heating is really warm at least," Mr Fouche said.

Gas can be used in homes for a variety of purposes including cooking, heating and hot water. It is particularly popular in new homes as it can be included while the house is being built.

Mr Fouche said one of the major benefits was the unlimited supply of hot water.

Hot water typically accounts for between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of household energy consumption. There are two types of water heaters - those which use gas burners to heat a cylinder of water stored on the property and others which heat the water as it enters the home water system, so people don't need on-site water storage.

* Tomorrow, fires