A new gas connection for a London property that is not currently on the gas network involves an application to the gas distribution network operator, a site survey, and installation work by both the network operator and a Gas Safe registered engineer. Understanding the process, the costs, and the timelines involved helps property owners plan a new gas connection as part of a wider development or conversion project.
When Would a London Property Need a New Gas Connection?
A new gas connection is needed for a London property that does not currently have a gas supply and where the owner wishes to install gas central heating, a gas boiler, or gas cooking appliances. Common situations where a new gas connection may be required include new-build properties on sites where gas was not originally connected, conversions of commercial premises to residential use where the commercial supply was removed, properties where the gas supply was permanently disconnected due to disrepair and the infrastructure was removed, and extensions or annexes that are physically separate from the main building and require their own metered supply.
London has an extensive gas distribution network, and the vast majority of central and inner London streets have gas mains from which a new service pipe can be connected. However, in some outer London areas, particularly those that were developed after natural gas became widely available and which rely on electricity or oil for heating, the nearest gas main may be some distance from the property. The first step in assessing whether a new gas connection is feasible and what it will cost is to contact Cadent Gas or the relevant network operator and request a new connection enquiry.
The New Connection Application Process with Cadent Gas
A new gas connection application to Cadent Gas begins with a new connection enquiry, which can be submitted online through the Cadent website or by contacting their connections team by phone. The enquiry should include the property address, the expected daily gas consumption (expressed in cubic metres per hour for high-consumption properties such as large blocks of flats), and details of any time constraints on the connection being completed. Cadent Gas will carry out a desktop assessment of the existing network near the property and provide a connection offer, which sets out the technical specification of the connection and the charges.
The charges for a new gas connection in London include a connection charge payable to Cadent Gas for the cost of installing the new service pipe from the street main to the meter position, and a meter installation charge if a new meter is being installed rather than reinstating an existing meter. Connection charges for standard domestic properties in London where the service pipe is straightforward typically range from 500 to 2,000 pounds, but can be substantially higher for longer service pipe runs or where main reinforcement is required to provide sufficient capacity for the new connection.
Internal Gas Installation After the Network Connection
Once Cadent Gas has confirmed the connection offer and the connection date has been agreed, the householder or landlord should engage a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out the internal gas installation. The internal installation includes the first fix pipework (gas supply pipes from the meter to all appliance positions), the installation of gas appliances such as the boiler, hob, or fires, and the commissioning of the complete installation. The Gas Safe registered engineer will also carry out the required Building Regulations notification for new gas installations, which is mandatory in England and Wales.
Timing is important when planning a new gas connection in London: the internal first fix pipework should be installed before the property is plastered and finished so that gas pipes can be properly concealed in walls and floor voids. Prestige Engineers can advise on the correct sequencing of the internal gas installation works relative to the wider building programme, and can coordinate attendance on site to coincide with the Cadent Gas connection date to minimise delays between the network connection and the internal gas system being commissioned and tested.
Alternatives to a New Gas Connection for London Properties
Where a new gas connection is impractical or prohibitively expensive due to the distance from the nearest gas main, London property owners may wish to consider alternative heating technologies. Air-source heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps, and electric storage heating are the main alternatives for properties that cannot be economically connected to the gas network. The relative running costs of heat pump versus gas heating depend on the electricity and gas tariff rates in force at the time, the efficiency of the heat pump, and the thermal performance of the building fabric. Prestige Engineers can provide independent advice on heating system options for London properties, including technical assessments to support a decision on whether to proceed with a gas connection application or to specify an alternative technology.