Installing natural gas

Installation of natural gas

1. Supply pipe between street and house
   The natural gas supply company is responsible for connecting your house to the pipeline in the street. Wherever possible, the pipe to the house is channelled underground, which means that only two holes need to be dug – one in the street and a second by the entry point into your house. A heat meter is installed inside the house.
   
2. Installation of central heating pipes and radiators
   New radiators with thermostatic valves are fitted.
   
3. Installation of natural gas boiler
   A natural gas boiler doesn’t take up much space and is typically installed in the utility room or basement. The boiler is connected to the natural gas supply pipe and the central heating pipes.
   
4. Installation of hot water tank
   The hot water tank supplies hot water to the taps and bath. Cold water is heated by the boiler in the same way as the water for the radiators. The tank can usually be connected to the existing hot water pipes. The tank typically takes up the same amount of space as the boiler.
   
5. System ready
   The heating system is filled with water and tested for leaks. The system is then started up and the installer will perform a full system test for all functions. They will then show you how to operate the system.

Definitions and terms

• Supply pipe and meter cabinet 
  A supply pipe is the pipe that supplies a house with natural gas from the pipeline in the street. The natural gas supply company’s technicians install the supply pipe and the meter cabinet, which should be either freestanding or fitted to an outside wall.
  
• Natural gas boiler and circulator pump
  A natural gas boiler heats the central heating water in a sealed burner chamber. The heated water is then circulated through the pipes to the radiators.
  
  The system is based on a feed and return layout with one pipe feeding the hot water to the radiators and a second pipe sending the cooled water back to the boiler, where it is reheated.
  
• A-rated circulator pump not necessarily included
  Buying an A-rated gas boiler with a built-in circulator pump does not guarantee that the circulator pump is also A-rated. However, the Trust is working with the Danish Gas Technology Centre to produce a special electricity consumption label for natural gas boilers. In future, gas boilers with A-rated electricity consumption will be able to use the Trust’s Energy Saving Label. Work on this issue is expected to be complete by mid 2008.
  
• Air inlet and exhaust gases
  Natural gas requires oxygen for combustion, which is why air must be ducted into the boiler. The air and exhaust gases must also be discharged from the house. The inlet and exhaust pipes are combined in one flue which runs between the boiler and the chimney. This is known as a balanced flue system.
  The flue comprises one pipe nested inside the other. Fresh air for combustion is drawn in through the outer pipe. The inner pipe discharges the exhaust gas and also heats up the fresh air on its way into the boiler, thereby extracting every last bit of energy from the gas.

Safety
Gas accidents rarely occur in Denmark but, when they do, they’re usually caused by badly serviced boilers. Make sure that your boiler is inspected in accordance with the regulations – at least every 2 or 3 years.

• Carbon monoxide poisoning: Natural gas requires oxygen for combustion, but if the oxygen level is too low then extremely poisonous carbon monoxide is produced. This can happen if the air inlet or exhaust flu becomes blocked, or if the burners in the boiler are very dirty.
  
• Fire and explosion: Because natural gas is lighter than air, small gas leaks quickly disappear through the ventilation outlet. Natural gas has an odorant added to it which is easily detectable. This means that you will quickly be able to smell any leaking gas. In the event of such a leak, you should air the room as quickly as possible.