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Q&A

Read the answers to the most frequently asked questions.

What is natural gas and what are its benefits?

What is natural gas?
Natural gas is a fuel of natural origin, which is a mixture of gases: methane, other flammable gases, and non-flammable compounds.

It is odorless, colorless, and lighter than air. In order for it to be perceptible by humans, fragrances are added to it, giving it a characteristic scent.

Natural gas is a fuel characterized by an much lower content of pollutants than other fuels; therefore, the environmental risk associated with its use is relatively low.

The quality of natural gas supplied to the customer is determined by regulations—particularly the Polish Standard (PN-C-04750), according to which one cubic meter of gas under normal conditions is defined as the amount of dry gas contained in a volume of 1 m3 at a temperature of 0 °C and a pressure of 101.3 kPa (760 mmHg).
What are the advantages of natural gas?
  • The use of natural gas brings benefits that make an activity more economical—reducing production costs from energy needs.
  • Modern gas devices enable easy regulation and automation of the combustion process, which allows for high energy efficiency. We can use gas to heat rooms or water, or to prepare meals conveniently, without unnecessary effort.
  • Natural gas saves space—as natural gas consumers, businesses do not need special rooms for fuel storage. With this, you can forget about the hassles of fuel supply, storage, and stockpiling.
  • Natural gas is always at the customer’s disposal (around the clock for the same price). An additional advantage is the fact that customers pay for the fuel that is used.
  • By using natural gas, you can maintain accurate and consistent parameters of the production process. This reduces production costs and increases market opportunities.
  • Natural gas is burned without smoke or soot, which reduces the burden on the environment and eliminates the need for cleaning.
  • Customers can fully control the amount of gas consumed and adjust it to their individual needs. The heating power can be adjusted to the temperature outside and inside the heated rooms.
  • The design of gas-fired appliances is relatively simple, which increases their reliability and allows for easy maintenance.
  • Well-maintained gas appliances are completely safe and convenient to use.
  • Natural-gas-powered devices are practical, convenient, economical, and environmentally friendly. With a well-developed network of local gas works and service plants, the use of natural gas is convenient and safe.
How is natural gas different from LPG?
Natural gas is a fuel of natural origin which is a mixture of different gases: methane (CH4) and, in smaller amounts, other flammable gases and non-flammable compounds. It is odorless, colorless, and lighter than air. In order for it to be perceptible by humans, fragrances are added to it, giving it a characteristic scent. The main component of LPG is propane (C3H8). Unlike natural gas, LPG is heavier than air.
Is it possible to use natural gas and LPG in the same building?
It is not allowed to use natural gas and LPG in the same building at the same time, according to § 157 Item 6 of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of April 12, 2002, (Journal of Laws of 2002, No. 75, item 690) on the technical conditions to be met by buildings and their location, with exceptions provided for in this regulation.
Can there be different types of natural gas in my home?
No, that is not possible. Although there are two types of natural gas supplied to customers—high-methane gas and nitrogen-rich gas—each of them is sent through a different network of gas pipelines.
Who approves the prices of gas distribution services?
Pursuant to the Energy Law, the Distribution Service Provider’s Tariff is subject to approval by the President of the Energy Regulatory Office. Once they are published in the ERO Bulletin, the approved tariffs take effect after at least 14 days has passed.
What can be improved at home to make heating as efficient as possible?
The consumption of thermal energy largely depends on the building’s insulation. Significant temperature differences and air movement cause heat to escape from heated rooms. The poorer the room’s insulation, the greater the heat loss.

Home insulation should include:
  • wall insulation,
  • improved thermal insulation on a flat roof,
  • improved insulation of the floor above a basement, and
  • modern window and door joinery.

At the same time, bear in mind the heat losses from ventilating buildings. These can be limited by using air recuperators, in which the heat coming out of the building along with the used air is partially transferred to the air supplied to the rooms.

Tips for efficient heating:
  • Open the windows during the day so that the sun can heat the rooms.
  • Do not cover radiators with curtains, furniture, or casings ( this causes heat to be trapped near the heater).
  • Ventilate the apartment briefly but thoroughly, and turn off the heating when doing so.
  • Use thermostats to lower the temperature while the residents are away.
  • Regularly check heating devices.

Use and quality of gas

What should I do if the flame in the burner goes out?
In such a situation, the defective device should not be used. The flame going out may be caused by a dirty or wet burner, for example. Another cause may be an incorrect gas–air mixture or low gas pressure in the system. In such case, maintenance should be performed (only by authorized persons).

If, however, the burner persistently goes out, call the Gas Emergency Service (dial 992), which will check whether the reason for the flame going out is low gas pressure in the system or damage to the gas meter.
The flame tapers off in my appliances. Why?
The flame tapering off is caused by an incorrect natural gas–air mixture. Such malfunctions can only be removed by a technician with appropriate authorizations and qualifications.
What color should the burning natural gas be?
It should be light blue in color, which indicates that the combustion process is running correctly. If, for instance, a slight admixture of orange or yellow is visible, it indicates incorrect combustion and increased gas consumption.

The causes of disturbances in the gas combustion process are usually dirty burners or contaminants in the gas system. In such cases, it is important to carry out appropriate maintanence, which can only be performed by people with special qualifications.
The flame is a strange color and burns differently than usual. Does this suggest poor-quality gas?
The flame of properly burning natural gas should be light blue in color. A yellow or orange color indicates incomplete combustion, which increases gas consumption. Small filings or dirt in the system can change the color of the flame, similar to dirty burners or—when using gas cookers—dirty surfaces of pots.

A flame of a different color indicates incomplete combustion of the gas, not poor-quality gas. In such cases, maintenance activities should be performed (only by authorized individuals).
I get the impression that the kettle takes much longer to heat up than it used to. Why?
This can be caused by many factors, e.g., the condition of the nozzles and the efficiency of the gas combustion process (depends on the amount of air sucked in by the burner). If the wrong amount of air is supplied, it can cause the gas to burn incorrectly. In this situation, the energy carried by the gas cannot be fully used. That is why it is so important to keep the stove in proper working condition and to have it inspected, cleaned, and adjusted at least once a year by qualified specialists.

The efficiency of the heat transfer process is also an important factor which influences the heating time. It depends on the size and shape of the vessel to be heated and the condition of the surfaces of its walls. For example, kettles become covered with limescale during use, which has a lower thermal conductivity, resulting in higher energy losses.

It is also important to choose an appropriately sized burner for the vessel. The heat accumulated in the flames outside the vessel cannot be used effectively. Drafts also reduce the efficiency in using the heat generated during gas combustion.
Is there a simple method to check gas quality at home?
No, there is no such method. The qualitative analysis of gas uses instruments—for example, chromatographs—that require special training to operate. However, it is worth knowing that automatic analyzers are installed in the transmission network, which analyze the composition and quality of the gas on an ongoing basis.

Gas installation

What conditions should be met in the room for a central gas heating boiler to be installed?
Detailed conditions for rooms with gas devices are specified in the technical and construction regulations contained in the Construction Code, which must be strictly observed. The boiler can be located in the basement, on the top floor, or in another part of the house, provided that the conditions are met regarding their height, volume, ventilation, and flue gas exhaust.

The volume of the room must meet the requirements resulting from the boiler’s power and ventilation needs. The room should have separate pipes of an appropriate diameter: exhaust gas and ventilation (with the exhaust grate as close to the ceiling as possible) pipes and a constant air supply (intake grate) that ensures proper gas combustion in the boiler. The ventilation and supply grilles must not be covered by anything!
Do I need special permits to install a gas system in my apartment/house?
According to the Construction Code, the construction of a gas installation requires a building permit. Work such as the construction of gas connections and installations on the property and in the building can be performed by a company that has the appropriate qualifications (most often the companies performing the installation also offer design services).
I live in a multi-family building and I use natural gas heating in my apartment. Can my neighbor still use a propane/butane gas stove?
Unfortunately, they may not. That is in violation of the applicable regulations (Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on technical conditions to be met by buildings and their location, Journal of Laws No. 75, item 690 of 2002). However, such a solution is acceptable when a natural gas boiler room that is common to all apartments is fitted in a multi-unit building; gas cookers with propane/butane cylinders can then be left in apartments.
Is a building permit or renovation permit necessary to install an internal gas system?
When building an internal gas installation, a permit is required; in the case of a renovation, it should be reported to the appropriate state administration authorities (city or municipality office or starosta).
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