Despite the advantages that gasification of an apartment provides, the consumer is tired of paying for unclear services provided by gas distribution companies, being frankly perplexed by the strange requirements of the gas service or maintenance, in which even minimal work is not performed in accordance with Resolution No. 410.
People have a question about whether gas is really needed in an apartment and maybe it’s time to stop paying for something that causes irritation and financial waste when there is an alternative. Due to the availability of alternative options, it is understandable that people are reluctant to deal with solutions to problems with gas equipment and gas pipelines. This alternative was the replacement of a gas stove with an electric hob. By replacing a gas stove with an electric one, you will be able to remove gas equipment.
In an apartment in a new building, fumes and a lack of oxygen in the kitchen are not something you want to feel every morning when preparing breakfast, and if you have small children, an open fire creates even more danger.
When you buy an apartment, you receive a ready-made solution - there will be a gas or electric stove and you cannot change this choice, but this is not true.
In this article we will get the necessary answers to three questions that arise in such situations - is it possible to refuse, how to formalize the refusal, and whether the game is worth the candle.
Who is responsible for gas supply and maintenance of gas equipment in MKD
According to the provisions of the legislation of the Russian Federation, the subscriber is obliged to ensure that the condition of the in-house gas equipment (VDGO) meets the technical requirements, and to promptly conclude an agreement on its maintenance and emergency dispatch support.
The subscriber can be the owner of an apartment in an apartment building or the provider of a gas supply utility service:
- HOA,
- management organization,
- Housing cooperative,
- LCD,
- another specialized cooperative.
VDGO includes:
- gas pipelines of a residential or multi-apartment building, which are connected to the gas distribution network, group or tank cylinder installation, and provide fuel supply to the connection point of gas equipment;
- the equipment itself;
- gas meters.
Gas pipelines in the apartment building up to the first shut-off and control valves on the branches of the intra-apartment distribution from the risers belong to the intra-building gas supply system and are considered the common property of the owners of the premises in the apartment building.
The consumer’s obligation to enter into an agreement for the maintenance of VDGO is provided for in clause 93 of the Rules for the supply of gas to meet the household needs of citizens, approved by .
In accordance with clause 3 of the Rules, gas supply means the fulfillment by the supplier (gas supplying organization) of the obligations specified in the contract. They are expressed as a set of actions to supply natural gas through the gas distribution network or liquefied hydrocarbon gas from a tank or group cylinder installation to the property line of gas distribution (connected) networks.
Find out in more detail what nuances the maintenance of gas equipment has for MKD.
Some disadvantages of such changes
But not everything is so simple with these products: experts call them the most energy-consuming household appliances for the kitchen, although many have class A. For all the positive qualities of the newest electric stoves, they also have negative sides.
- If you buy a modern electric stove with a glass-ceramic coating, you will need to use special cookware. For durable contact with such a surface, only dishes with a perfectly flat bottom are suitable.
- Certain difficulties and technical nuances during installation: you need to involve specialists. Not all users can install a special cable with the required cross-section from the switchboard to the location of the new stove, or install a powerful 380 V outlet on their own.
- Sudden power outages will leave you without hot food for a long time.
- Blue fuel in any region of the Russian Federation is much cheaper than electricity, even when it is paid at a reduced rate - you will have to put up with rising utility bills.
- Electric stoves of the new generation are a very serious technology that requires appropriate treatment. When working with it, you must follow all the requirements of the operating instructions, otherwise damage to the stove cannot be avoided.
The legislative framework
Gas supplies to the population and the procedure for maintaining gas equipment in apartment buildings are regulated by the Rules for the supply of gas to meet the household needs of citizens.
Issues related to payment for the maintenance of common property in apartment buildings, including the in-house engineering system that supplies gas to residential apartment buildings, are regulated by the provisions.
The general gas supply policy, powers in the field of regulation of gas prices, guarantees of payment for supplied gas and services for its transportation are reflected in the Federal Law.
Find out more about how to conclude a contract for servicing gas equipment.
Due to the fact that emergency situations are increasingly occurring on the territory of the Russian Federation when residents of apartment buildings use gas, a special bill has been developed and submitted to the State Duma to reduce the risk of their occurrence. The goal of the initiative is to prevent accidents when using gas at home and to pass a law banning gas in apartment buildings.
The document proposes to introduce a ban on the design and construction of apartment buildings that provide for the use of gas in residential premises. It is also proposed to prohibit the gasification of residential premises after major repairs of apartment buildings.
Exceptions are cases when, due to climate conditions, it is impossible to use another energy resource and it is not possible to ban gas in an apartment building without reducing the quality of living conditions.
Impeccable design
SMEG products are made in Italy from durable and environmentally friendly materials. Bright, memorable design is a characteristic feature of premium technology. Hobs are produced within several design collections: Coloniale, Cortina, Linea, Classica, Victoria, Dolce Stil Novo. The variety of colors is impressive, the following colors are available: white, black, silver, stainless steel, cream, copper, anthracite, oats, brass. The most demanding client will be able to choose the ideal option for any classic or modern interior.
The collaboration of Italian brand specialists with outstanding contemporary designers and other companies has resulted in the creation of exclusive products. The line of retro equipment “50s style” has become the hallmark of the brand, recognizable and revered all over the world. In collaboration with a famous car manufacturer, the SMEG Fiat 500 designer minibar was created, available in different colors.
The result of the collaboration with Dolce&Gabbana was a special series of Art refrigerators (more than 100 models), as well as the one-of-a-kind collections Divina cucina and Sicily is my love.
Why is it necessary to turn off the gas?
The need to turn off the gas supply in an apartment in an apartment building may arise for various reasons:
- departure of residential premises owners on a long business trip;
- intention to make a major overhaul with complete redevelopment;
- moving to another apartment and mothballing the previous home.
Refusal to use gas in an apartment may be due to the desire to equip the kitchen with an electric stove or install an electric boiler or direct-flow water heater instead of a gas water heater.
Do I need to replace my gas stove at all?
Electrical equipment is safer; such stoves produce less soot. Many modern models of electric stoves are equipped with a large number of built-in automatic programs, which simplifies the cooking process.
Electric model
But it turns out that making such a replacement is not at all so easy. After reading about all the difficulties that you will have to face, you can decide for yourself whether you need to change your gas stove. Such reinstallation is one of the most difficult manipulations to renovate an apartment. Let's figure out why this happens.
Procedure for turning off the gas
In accordance with clause 51 of the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 21, 2008 No. 549 “On the procedure for supplying gas to meet the household needs of citizens,” the subscriber has the right to unilaterally terminate the gas supply agreement. The main condition is full payment to the supplier for the gas consumed and the costs associated with the work to disconnect the gas equipment.
It is possible to re-equip your home and install electric equipment instead of gas equipment if you follow a certain procedure and notify all interested authorities of your decision.
Unauthorized actions are considered a violation of the law, and therefore are fraught with large fines, and if an emergency situation occurs in the house, even more serious consequences.
To prevent this from happening, you should contact competent organizations in advance. An employee of the management company or HOA will tell you how to refuse gas in an apartment building in a legal way.
Who to contact to turn off the gas
If the consumer decides to stop consuming gas in the apartment, it is worth visiting the management company that services the house. There they will explain to him what an application must contain to replace a gas stove with an electric one, as well as how to quickly and easily carry out the shutdown procedure.
The next step is to contact the customer department of the territorial administration of Gorgaz with an application. You need to have with you:
- passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
- a document confirming ownership of the residential premises in which gas appliances are installed;
- receipts certifying the absence of arrears in payment for consumed gas.
Do I need the consent of the management company and all apartment owners?
Before turning off the gas supply to the apartment and switching the housing to electricity supply, you need to obtain permission from the company managing the housing stock to which the apartment building belongs.
In addition, it is necessary to obtain the consent of all owners of the apartment if it is in common joint or shared ownership.
How long does the outage last?
The shutdown process consists of several stages, which include:
- a visit to the apartment by representatives of the gas service;
- drawing up a sketch;
- conclusion of a contract for the implementation of work;
- issuing an invoice for payment.
Then the actual dismantling of gas equipment is carried out, during which certain sections of gas pipelines are cut off and welded tightly.
Usually it takes up to 5 days to approve documents, and up to 20 to wait for the team to leave.
As a rule, simultaneously with the dismantling of gas equipment, the apartment is switched to electricity supply. This procedure also involves a number of actions that will extend the gas shutdown period.
How much does shutdown work cost?
You can get acquainted with the prices for the dismantling of gas appliances on the official website of the territorial branch of Gorgaz at the location of the apartment building in which the apartment being disconnected is located.
The total cost includes payment for the team to travel to the work site, as well as for trimming the lowering of the gas appliance (disconnection from the gas supply).
Where to begin
First of all, you need to pay attention to the capabilities of the electrical network. Typically, for electric stoves, a power of 10 kW is considered sufficient (minimum - 8). In old-plan houses, the average load is up to 5 kilowatts. The owner of the apartment will need to contact Energosbyt at his place of residence and inquire about the likelihood of increasing electricity capacity. If a higher load is not possible, you will have to purchase a new cable yourself and negotiate with power engineers to have specialists install it.
Advice! An alternative could be a low-power (2 - 2.5 kW) electric stove with two burners.
How to connect an electric stove
Having decided to turn off the gas in the apartment and connect the electric stove, it is worth keeping in mind that installing electrical appliances instead of gas ones is a refurbishment (refurbishment) of residential premises. According to Art. 26 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, these actions are carried out in compliance with the requirements of the law in agreement with the local government body and on the basis of the decision taken by it.
When submitting an application for refurbishment, one of the important documents is a project for the refurbishment of residential premises prepared and executed in accordance with the established procedure.
Since gasified houses are allocated the maximum permitted electrical power, the conversion project must confirm that its increase will not lead to a short circuit and a fire.
Energosbyt specialists will help determine whether it is possible to refuse gas in the apartment and install an electric stove. They will evaluate whether it is possible for the consumer to increase energy consumption and whether the home’s energy network can withstand the commissioning of an electric stove.
You may need to install new wiring at your own expense, otherwise the kitchen equipment will not be replaced. The procedure for replacing the stove must be coordinated and approved by gas service specialists. The fact of replacement is recorded by the housing inspectorate.
Pros of redevelopment
Comparing electric and gas stoves, you can identify many advantages of the first option. Modern electric stoves are very convenient to use - with their help you can prepare not only food for every day, but also culinary masterpieces of particular complexity. By replacing a gas device with an electric one, you will also notice other advantages.
- There are no pipes and a huge gas meter that do not add ambience to the interior of the kitchen.
- According to health officials, the electric stove is safer for the health of users. During its operation, oxygen is not burned out of the air in the room, so you can install a less powerful exhaust system.
- A very convenient and practical oven with grill installation, which has more functionality. It is easy to clean; there is no need to check whether the burner has gone out to prevent a dangerous accumulation of the gas mixture inside the device.
- Simple adjustment of cooking temperature conditions - this process in electric stoves is supported by automation.
- All dishes are prepared faster and with excellent quality.
How to connect gas after a shutdown
Disconnection of a subscriber from gas supply can occur not only at his request, but also at the decision of the service provider if the consumer has violated the terms of the contract or has not paid for the gas consumed for 2 months.
The gas supply can be restored only after the reasons that led to the suspension of the service have been eliminated.
Having repaid the debt, the subscriber must come to the supplier’s office and submit information about eliminating the reasons for the disconnection. It is advisable to draw up the application in 2 copies and indicate that all obligations have been fulfilled.
Gas supply, in accordance with paragraph 48 of the above-mentioned Decree No. 549, must be resumed within 5 days from the date the supplier receives a written notification that the reasons have been eliminated.
Payment receipts must be attached to the application. The subscriber pays for all work on disconnecting/connecting gas appliances.
Redevelopment development
To change a gas appliance to an electric one, you will need a new floor plan. All changes must be made to the technical passport. The project must be completed before all work begins.
Great luck for the owner who decides to replace the hobs will be the failure of the entire entrance (or better yet, the house) from gas appliances. In this case, dismantling the slabs and pipes will be easier. But, as practice has shown, many residents do not consider it necessary to switch to an electrical installation.
conclusions
Gas supply in MKD apartments can be terminated not only by the decision of the service provider, but also at the request of the consumer. In this case, turning off the gas and transferring the apartment to electricity supply is carried out with the permission of the management company and in agreement with all owners of the premises.
The project must also be approved by official authorities. Energosbyt specialists will explain to the applicant whether it is possible to turn off the gas in one apartment in a multi-storey building and switch to electricity supply.
Do I need permission?
Everything that is written in the apartment passport, when moved or replaced, relates to redevelopment, therefore any technical changes must be approved by the relevant authorities with the issuance of official permission.
Important! Each owner who has unauthorizedly made various reinstallations is subject to administrative penalties (Law of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, Art. 29).
The gas stove must be indicated on the plan of the technical inventory bureau (BTI), registered in the registration certificate of the house and apartment, therefore, it is necessary to notify the relevant organizations about replacing it with another product, and coordinate this redevelopment with them.
