Why a Gas Ban Is Unwise!

A few years ago, the Government in the ACT implemented a ban on gas, a decision that has raised significant concerns. The issue becomes apparent when examining the city landscape, where more than 250 Type B gas boilers and heaters are installed in key locations such as government buildings, high-rises, retail spaces, and even Parliament House.

However, the challenge arises from the insufficient power capacity in the ACT to support the replacement of these gas-powered boilers and heaters with electric alternatives. The necessary infrastructure, including wiring, substation upgrades, and transformers, would strain the existing power grid beyond its capabilities. As Canberra embraces the addition of electric vehicle charging stations to its power network, a new concern emerges – the risk of power outages due to potential overloads. This concern is heightened by the current limitation of street capacity to charge only two electric cars at most. Consequently, individuals considering owning two electric vehicles should reconsider, particularly if their neighbors share the same intention.

Electric Appliance VERSUS a Gas-fired appliance?

Electric hot water systems / Cooking equipment/heating systems.
Negatives

• The power generators must keep generating more power / than used, so you can switch on the switch to use it
  • What is the net cost, of wasted power?
  • Also, the water used to generate that power?
• Electric storage hot water units use power all day to maintain the temperature.
• Heat pumps are not efficient-
  • require a Plumber, Electrical, and refrigeration person to install and service
  • Don’t work well in colder climates-
  • Expensive to buy, and are expensive to repair.
  • Have a noise factor ( The neighbors won’t like the noise!)
• Induction Cooking-
  • Yes more efficient- however can be expensive to repair,
  • and requires an electronic technician for repairs.
  • There is a tipping point for savings- no such thing as free energy,
    • Approx 15% saving on power use.
  • Disadvantages – induction emits large amounts of EMF radiation Electromagnetic fields more on that here https://emfacademy.com/induction-cooktop-radiation/
• Power outages- Our power needs are exponential due to climate change and increased power demand.
  • Each property has a maximum power demand allocation, so if suddenly get rid of gas appliances for electric and add an electric vehicle – you will exceed what is available and find that it will have a knock-on effect.
    • It will start with burning out the pole fuse to your property
    • potential to eventually burn out the street transformer or suburb transformer, due to overdemand –
• There is a Lack of power- which will increase your power costs Why?
  • Supply is limited and demand is too high- so the supply authority will increase the kW charges to discourage you from using power, or load shed you – yes turn off power to save the network.

Gas appliances
Positives

• Gas continuous flow hot water systems – Water is heated when you need it – Units are 6-star rated. The gas supply is available with minimal energy costs. if the unit is LPG, then the gas bottle is not using energy when not in use!
• Gas cooking – a kitchen needs to have a range hood over the stove cooktops, and filtered to vent outside to remove the grease, smells, and gas fumes, which are minimal
• Cooking with gas is better for the food, tastes, and smells better than electricity.
• Gas is available when you have a power outage, Back in 1985 when Queensland had blackouts for 2 months, we survived on gas cooking, on our BBQ and now I have Gas cooking as a backup.
• Ever considered a gas-fired air-conditioner, the advantage of free hot water. Used extensively in Commercial applications in Fiji-New Guinea, Japan, and Korea.
• Cheaper to install the services for gas appliances compared to electrical appliances.
  • The gas supply is pipework, regulators from the gas supply or a gas cylinder.
  • Electrical appliances need cables, circuit breakers and a switchboard upgrade, power meters  and the mains cable, and enough power available from the supply authority
• Gas is becoming greener, with the increase of hydrogen in the natural gas supply – when you burn hydrogen, there is NO carbon.
• Ability to extract Hydrogen and capture the carbon from natural gas – to create hydrogen for fuel cells and insert Hyrodgen into the natural gas infrastructure.
• Hydrogen Gas appliances, Several manufacturers have already created Hydrogen appliances- Rinnai Hydrogen hot water systems and the Hydrogen home generator 
• Gas ducted heating – room-sealed ducted heaters heat the whole house efficiently and more economically than electric e.g.: installing a split air conditioner in each room and living area or a ducted 3-phase electric heater, the power use would be astronomical 

The positives of keeping GAS certainly outweigh the need to keep GAS and use less electricity.

There seems to be too many political agendas, and people with vested interests creating hype to make rash decisions that could be catastrophic for us all.
Making a decision, without weighing up the pros and cons of these decisions., or not having a backup plan…

Throwing out the Baby ( GAS) with the bath water ( Banning Gas ), it might look good, but there is no replacement plan. We have an abundance of natural gas. Natural gas is environmentally sustainable for Australia to utilze.

I pose you this statement – Our Governments want to ban Gas and ban coal-fired power stations. However, Australia is exporting Coal to India, where India is creating more coal-fired power stations and is manufacturing wind turbines for Australia.
We are exporting LNG Liquide Natural Gas from Curtis Island to South Korea, Japan, and other countries, This doesn’t make sense,
Obviously, when they burn coal and gas overseas, they must burn carbon-friendly- or turn into Green energy.

I have been a Licenced Electrician Electrical contractor  / electronic technician for 40 years, A licensed gasfitter for 35 years, and a Type B gas fitter for around 18 years Type B gas approval Authority for 6 years,
In the past 35 years, gas has proven gas to be the most efficient and cleaner energy for cooking and heating based on years of being in both trades.
You have more control of your destiny with gas, it is there when you need it and you have the control. Gas is portable, one 9kG bottle can run a BBQ for around 9-10 hrs of cooking in a caravan 50 hours of showers ( even when the sun doesn’t shine!

Gas can run my gas stationary engine to generate power,
So have a backup plan.

Allowing any Government to ban gas is eroding our rights of choice and is unconstitutional. This will create a monopoly for the power companies.
Allowing our rights to be eroded without proper consultation or without proper facts- needs to be questioned! As it is not right.

What do you think will be banned next?  The Aussie gas BBQ!

Your’s in Gas
Darrel Vecchio CEO
Bizmatrix Pty Ltd

STOP PRESS- The good news

This year we have seen an increase in demand for the Type B gas course and gas courses in general.
With new sectors, Hydrogen and Bio Methane gas, many of our students reporting the emerging trends in the Type B gas sector.
1-Capturing Bio Gas from landfills, then using the Biomethane  gas as a fuel- Yes turning rubbish dumps biomethane to supply gas to

• Gas stationary engine to generate power.
• Used to supply Type B gas-fired steam or hot water boilers for hot water

Why? To capture the methane before it destroys our climate. ( Methane has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere.
2- For the hydrogen conversion of Natural gas generators or Boilers to Hydrogen-fueled Type B gas devices.

So where does hydrogen sit in regards to the trades, at the moment the qualifications are being confirmed and developed. There is more activity in the Type B gas sector as above,
And if you wish to pursue the emerging changes, we suggest you consider the following.

If you have a trade, consider adding to this trade with the minimum entry-level

• Restricted Gas service Licence course- More here  

Require the full qualification Gas Work Licence then consider

• Certificate III  in Gasfitting  ( Gas Work Licence )- More here

Plumbers or other trades and have the Gas qualification consider

• Restricted Electrical licence – More here 

You are involved with Type B gas work- or wish to progress to Type B gas – Consider

• The first area to emerge with hydrogen for Type B gas devices including Fuel cells.
• The Type B gas course/qualification – More here 

Elevate your industrial gas appliance expertise with Bizmatrix’s specialized Type B Gas Industrial Appliances Courses in Sydney, Canberra, and Brisbane

Specialized Training: Bizmatrix introduces focused Type B Gas Industrial Appliances Courses tailored for professionals seeking growth in the industrial gas sector. To keep up with the emerging trends and changes

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