If you’re planning a kitchen or bathroom renovation, or your current gas appliances could do with an upgrade, there’s plenty to consider.

Gas appliances come with a range of benefits, including instantaneous heat and ease of control, plus cheaper ongoing running costs when compared to electricity sourced from the grid.

But you want to make sure you’re buying the right product for your needs – and you’re staying safe and compliant with installation.

Safety first: always call in the professionals 

When undertaking any improvements or appliance updates at your home, your safety – along with the safety of your family and property – is the top priority.

That’s why a licensed gasfitter must undertake work involving gas, including the installation and removal of gas appliances.

Remember, it’s illegal for an unlicensed person to install or repair gas appliances, so never attempt repairs or installs yourself.

See our tips for keeping your gas appliances safe and functional and if you ever pick up a funky smell in or around your home and suspect a gas leak, follow these simple steps to protect your safety.

Gas ovens

If you’re not planning a full kitchen overhaul, you’re most likely chasing a like-for-like replacement to fit snugly into the existing space, which means it all comes down to size and features.

Most standard domestic gas ovens are 600mm wide, though there are 700mm and 900mm options for larger families or those who spend a heap of time in the kitchen.

Depending on your needs and preferences, look for features like in-built thermostat, fan-forced functionality, rack and tray placement options or self-cleaning capacity.

Expect to part with $1,000 and $5,000 for a new gas oven – but if the budget’s tight you can shop around for a basic model for around $800.

Gas cooktops

Cooking over a gas flame offers instant heat and the flexibility of better heat control when compared to electric or convection models.

Gas cooktops generally come in sizes between 60 – 90L, but how big you go depends on your allocated cooking area and any extensions or reductions you want to consider.

Stovetop size also influences burner numbers and variety, which should ideally involve larger burners to the back and small or simmering burners to the front to avoid having to lean over larger pots to stir sauces.

A wok burner to side of stovetops allows easy mixing and tossing when time is of the essence.

Available in a range of easy-clean materials and styles including stainless steel, ceramic, enamel and glass – a quality gas stove top also adds visual appeal to home kitchen makeovers or renovations.

Spending $1,000 to $2,000 is considered mid-range, but over $4,000 for a model with all the bells and whistles.

Gas hot water systems

Heating water accounts for around 25% of home energy costs, so it’s worth shopping around for the best appliance you can afford.

Gas systems offer a reliable supply of hot water (even in a blackout) and help to keep the household bills in check.

Deciding on the right hot water system for your home means choosing between two main designs: storage or continuous flow (instantaneous).

Storage hot water systems store heated water in a tank ready for use, but you’ll need to decide how your desired storage capacity marries with the available space and desired aesthetics for home installation.

Continuous systems are smaller and heat water only when required. So while it might take a few extra moments for hot water to flow, you’ll save energy by not having to warm your water around the clock.

Gas home heating

Home gas heaters come in portable and flued models.

While portable gas heaters are cheap, fuel efficient and can be moved to any room with a gas bayonet – they also push combustion emissions into the room being heated, which makes it super-important to pick the right size for the area.

Remember, a portable gas heater should never be installed in a room smaller than its rated capacity as emission volume in a small space may be a safety issue. You can pick up a portable gas heater for $400 – $1,500.

Flued gas heaters are generally more expensive and are often installed in existing fireplaces with a chimney vent available.

But they can also be installed as a fire box in any area of the home as long as a flue is part of the process, which extracts emissions upwards and outwards from the area being warmed.

Look for features like a thermostat, child lock or cleaning alerts to ensure winters at home are safe, warm and energy-efficient – and expect to pay around $1,200 to $2,200 (excluding installation).

There’s also the option of installing a more elegant gas fireplace in your home, but keep in mind this will likely cost upwards of $5,000 (excluding installation).

The people’s choice

The ProductReview community continually shares feedback on ovens, gas cooktops, gas hot water systems, and gas heaters. Check out what ranks highest with the Australian community via ProductReview.

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Kleenheat took top honours in the “Energy provider” category in the 2021 ProductReview Awards – representing the best and most reliable purchasing choices available to Australian energy consumers in 2020.