Many Australian homes were originally designed to use a combination of gas and electricity.
The cooktop may run on gas, the hot-water system may be gas-powered, while the rest of the home relies on electricity.
As these appliances reach the end of their useful life, more homeowners are choosing to replace them with electric alternatives. A gas cooktop may be replaced with an induction or electric cooktop, while an ageing gas hot-water system may be replaced with an electric or heat-pump unit.
Once the final gas appliance has been removed, an important question remains:
What happens to the old gas service?
Removing the appliances is only one part of the transition. The unused gas connections must also be safely disconnected and capped, and the homeowner may need to arrange for the gas account, meter and network connection to be dealt with separately.
When Does a Home Become Fully Electric?
A home becomes fully electric when every appliance within the property operates using electricity rather than natural gas or LPG.
In many North Brisbane homes, the final gas appliances are commonly:
- The kitchen cooktop
- The continuous-flow or storage hot-water system
If the gas cooktop is replaced with an electric or induction model and the gas hot-water system is replaced with an electric unit, the home may no longer need an active gas supply.
This can simplify the household’s energy arrangements by removing an entire service that is no longer being used.
Why Are Homeowners Replacing Gas Appliances?
The decision to move away from gas does not need to be part of a large renovation or an immediate whole-home conversion.
For many households, the transition happens gradually as existing appliances need to be replaced.
A homeowner may decide to replace a gas appliance because:
- The existing appliance has failed or is becoming unreliable
- The kitchen is being renovated
- They prefer the control and appearance of an induction cooktop
- The gas hot-water system has reached the end of its service life
- They want to install a heat-pump or electric hot-water system
- They already have rooftop solar and want to use more electricity generated at home
- They want to simplify the property to a single household energy source
- Gas is only being retained for one remaining appliance
When the final gas appliance is being replaced, it is worth considering the entire gas service rather than viewing each appliance connection in isolation.
What Happens to the Gas Cooktop Connection?
Removing a gas cooktop involves more than lifting the old appliance out of the benchtop.
The gas supply to the appliance must be safely disconnected by an appropriately licensed gasfitter. The redundant gas line is then securely capped so gas can no longer flow through the appliance connection.
The electrical requirements for the new cooktop must also be assessed before installation.
Depending on the model and the existing electrical system, an induction or electric cooktop may require:
- A dedicated electrical circuit
- New cabling
- Switchboard capacity to support the appliance
- An isolation switch
- Installation by a licensed electrician
These requirements should be considered before the old gas cooktop is removed. Good coordination between the gasfitter, plumber, electrician, cabinetmaker and benchtop installer can prevent unnecessary delays during a kitchen renovation.
What Happens to the Gas Hot-Water Connection?
When a gas hot-water system is replaced with an electric alternative, the old unit must be disconnected from its water and gas services.
The gas supply serving the old hot-water system is capped, leaving the connection safely redundant.
The replacement hot-water system must then be selected according to the needs of the household and the requirements of the property.
Possible electric replacements may include:
- A conventional electric storage hot-water system
- A heat-pump hot-water system
- Another suitable electric water-heating solution
The correct option will depend on factors such as household size, available installation space, existing electrical capacity, hot-water demand and budget.
The plumbing and electrical sides of the replacement should be planned together. A plumber can assess the water connections, location and hot-water requirements, while a licensed electrician handles the electrical connection and any necessary circuit work.
Can the Old Gas Pipes Simply Be Left in Place?
Redundant gas pipework does not necessarily need to be physically removed from every wall, ceiling or underground section of the property.
In many situations, the appliance connections can be correctly disconnected and capped by a licensed gasfitter, leaving the unused pipework safely redundant.
However, the appropriate approach depends on:
- The layout of the existing gas system
- The location of the remaining pipework
- Whether any gas appliances will remain
- The condition of the pipework
- Future renovation plans
- Whether the gas meter and network connection will be retained
A licensed gasfitter should assess the existing system and determine where it should be isolated and capped.
Capping the Appliance Lines Is Not the Same as Removing the Gas Meter
There is an important difference between disconnecting the appliances inside the property and dealing with the external gas supply.
RJT Plumbing & Gas can disconnect the old gas appliances and safely cap the relevant gas lines within the property.
The gas meter, network connection and retail account are generally managed through the homeowner’s gas retailer and network provider.
Once the final gas appliance has been removed, the homeowner should contact their gas retailer to discuss the available options.
These may include:
- Disconnection: Gas delivery is stopped, but the service may potentially be restored later.
- Abolishment: The gas connection is permanently removed.
The process, availability, timeframe and cost can vary depending on the retailer, network and property.
Will Gas Supply Charges Continue After the Appliances Are Removed?
Removing the gas cooktop or hot-water system does not necessarily close the gas account automatically.
If the property remains connected to the gas network, the household may continue to receive daily supply charges even if no gas is being used.
This is why homeowners should contact their retailer after the final gas appliance has been removed.
The retailer can explain what needs to happen to:
- Close the retail gas account
- Stop ongoing supply charges
- Disconnect the gas supply
- Arrange permanent abolishment where required
- Remove or deal with the existing gas meter
Do not assume that capping the internal gas lines will automatically cancel the account.
Should the Gas Supply Be Disconnected or Permanently Abolished?
The right choice depends on the homeowner’s future plans for the property.
A disconnection may be considered where there is a reasonable possibility that gas could be restored in the future.
Permanent abolishment may make more sense where the property has been intentionally converted to a fully electric home and there are no plans to install another gas appliance.
Homeowners should speak directly with their retailer about the options available at their address before making a final decision.
Why Gas Disconnection Is Not a DIY Job
Gas work carries serious safety risks and should never be treated like a basic appliance swap.
Improperly disconnected or inadequately capped gas pipework can create the risk of a gas leak, fire, explosion or carbon monoxide exposure.
Gas work in Queensland must be carried out by someone who holds the appropriate gas work licence or authorisation for the work being performed.
A licensed gasfitter has the training and equipment needed to:
- Safely isolate the gas supply
- Disconnect the existing appliance
- Cap the redundant connection correctly
- Test the gas system where required
- Identify any existing faults or unsafe conditions
- Complete the required compliance documentation
Homeowners should not attempt to disconnect a gas cooktop, hot-water system or household gas service themselves.
Plan the Electrical Side Before Removing the Gas Appliance
Going fully electric requires coordination.
Before the gas appliances are disconnected, confirm that the electrical system can support their replacements.
An electrician may need to assess:
- The capacity of the existing switchboard
- The available electrical supply
- Whether dedicated appliance circuits are required
- The cable route to the new appliance
- Whether switchboard upgrades are necessary
- How the new hot-water system will be controlled
This is particularly important when installing an induction cooktop and electric hot-water system at the same time.
Planning the entire conversion before work begins helps avoid a situation where the gas appliance has been removed but the electrical replacement cannot yet be connected.
A Good Time to Review the Entire Property
Removing the final gas appliances can also be an opportunity to review other parts of the property’s plumbing and energy system.
This may include:
- Assessing the age and condition of the hot-water system
- Choosing the correct hot-water capacity for the household
- Checking water pressure and flow
- Reviewing the location of the replacement unit
- Inspecting exposed water and gas pipework
- Planning future kitchen or bathroom renovations
- Considering how rooftop solar could support the new electric appliances
Replacing appliances individually without considering the broader system can lead to missed opportunities, unsuitable equipment or unnecessary work later.
Making the Final Transition Away From Gas
When a property only has one or two gas appliances remaining, replacing them can be the final step towards a fully electric home.
The transition generally involves:
- Selecting suitable electric replacement appliances
- Checking the electrical capacity of the property
- Coordinating the plumber, gasfitter and electrician
- Disconnecting and removing the old gas appliances
- Safely capping the redundant gas connections
- Installing and commissioning the electric replacements
- Contacting the gas retailer about the account, meter and supply connection
Handled properly, the old gas services can be safely retired without leaving homeowners uncertain about what remains connected or what still needs to be arranged.
Converting Your North Brisbane Home to Fully Electric?
RJT Plumbing & Gas can assist with the plumbing and gasfitting work involved in replacing gas cooktops and gas hot-water systems with electric alternatives.
Reece can assess the existing services, disconnect the old gas appliances, cap the redundant gas lines and help plan the hot-water replacement that suits your household.
RJT Plumbing & Gas services North Lakes, Griffin, Mango Hill, Kallangur, Murrumba Downs and surrounding North Brisbane suburbs.
Thinking about removing the final gas appliances from your home? Contact RJT Plumbing & Gas to discuss the safest and most practical way to make the transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the gas line when a gas cooktop is replaced with an electric cooktop?
The gas cooktop must be safely disconnected by an appropriately licensed gasfitter. The redundant appliance connection is then securely capped so gas can no longer flow to the old cooktop.
Can old gas pipes remain in the house after going fully electric?
In many cases, unused gas pipework can remain in place after it has been correctly isolated and capped by a licensed gasfitter. The appropriate method depends on the layout, condition and future use of the gas system.
Does capping the gas pipes automatically close the gas account?
No. Disconnecting appliances and capping internal gas lines does not necessarily close the retail gas account. The homeowner should contact their gas retailer to discuss closing the account and arranging disconnection or permanent abolishment of the gas supply.
Will I still pay a gas supply charge if I no longer use gas?
A daily supply charge may continue while the property remains connected to the gas network, even if no gas appliances are being used. Contact the gas retailer to confirm what is required to close the account and stop ongoing supply charges.
Do I need an electrician before replacing a gas cooktop with induction?
An electrician should assess whether the switchboard, electrical supply and existing circuits can support the proposed induction cooktop. Many induction cooktops require a dedicated circuit and new electrical cabling.
Who can disconnect a gas cooktop or gas hot-water system in Queensland?
Gas work in Queensland must be completed by someone who holds the appropriate gas work licence or authorisation for the work being performed. Homeowners should not attempt to disconnect gas appliances themselves.
