When you move into a new flat or house, one of the first practical questions is where your cooking gas comes from. The answer to town gas vs LPG in Singapore is usually decided by the building, not by you, but it affects how you open an account, how you pay, which stove you can use and what to do if the gas runs out. This guide compares the two for renters and buyers, so you know what you are dealing with before your first meal.
This is about the gas supply itself. If you are still deciding whether to cook on gas at all, see our honest guide to induction vs gas cooktops.
What Town Gas and LPG Actually Are
Town gas is piped gas delivered through an underground network straight to your kitchen, much like water. In Singapore it is produced from natural gas and supplied by the town gas retailer, City Energy, while the pipe network is operated by SP Group. Most HDB flats and many condominiums are connected, and you simply turn on the stove.
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is a mix of propane and butane stored under pressure in steel cylinders. A licensed dealer delivers full cylinders to your door and takes away the empty ones. LPG is common in landed homes and some older or smaller buildings without a town gas connection, and in many commercial kitchens.
The two gases burn differently, so stoves, ovens and water heaters are built for one or the other. That single fact drives most of the practical differences below.
Side by Side: Town Gas vs LPG
| Factor | Piped town gas | LPG cylinder |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Most HDB flats and many condos; depends on the building | Homes without a town gas connection, often landed or older properties |
| How you get it | Account opened, gas flows continuously | Order cylinders from a dealer and have them delivered |
| How you pay | Usage metered and billed with your utilities | Pay per cylinder on delivery or per dealer terms |
| Running out | Does not run out unless supply is disrupted | Cylinder empties; you need a spare or a quick reorder |
| Space needed | Only a meter and pipework | Floor space for the cylinder, kept upright and ventilated |
| Appliances | Must be town gas compatible | Must be LPG compatible, with the correct regulator |
Setting Up Town Gas When You Move In
For most newcomers in HDB flats and condos, town gas is the default. Typical steps:
- Open your utilities account. Electricity, water and town gas are usually handled together when you open a utilities account with SP Group. If the gas supply was turned off, you may need to arrange a turn-on appointment.
- Be home for the turn-on if required. A technician may need access to the meter and to check the connection. Bring your tenancy agreement or proof of ownership if asked.
- Check your appliances. If the previous occupant left a hob, look for a label stating the gas type. A stove meant for LPG will not work safely on town gas without professional conversion.
- Read your bill. Town gas usage appears on your monthly utilities bill. Gas tariffs are reviewed periodically and can go up or down, so check the current tariff on the SP Group or City Energy website rather than relying on old figures.
Renters: your tenancy agreement should say who holds the utilities account, you or the landlord. If the landlord keeps the account, clarify how gas is charged to you. Ask, too, who is responsible for repairs to the hob and gas pipes.
Living With LPG Cylinders
If your home has no piped gas, you will rely on cylinders. It is straightforward once you have a routine:
- Find a dealer. Ask your landlord, neighbours or the previous owner which dealer they use. Choose a licensed supplier and save their number somewhere easy to find.
- Keep a spare. Many households keep one cylinder in use and one full spare, so cooking is not interrupted when the first runs empty. A cylinder that feels light or a flame that weakens is a sign to reorder.
- Store cylinders properly. Keep them upright, in a well-ventilated spot in the kitchen, away from heat sources and electrical switches, and never in a bedroom or enclosed cabinet without ventilation. Do not store more cylinders than you need; the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) sets fire safety rules on LPG storage, so check its guidance if unsure.
- Let the dealer connect it. Delivery staff typically connect the new cylinder and check for leaks. Ask them to show you how to close the cylinder valve.
- Inspect the hose and regulator. Look for cracks, hardening or loose clips. Replace worn parts through your dealer or a licensed gas worker.
Switching Between Town Gas and LPG
Buyers renovating a home sometimes ask whether they can switch.
From LPG to town gas. This is only possible if town gas pipes reach your building or street. Contact SP Group or City Energy to ask whether a connection is available for your address and what it involves. Any new piping or appliance connection must be done by a gas service worker licensed by the Energy Market Authority (EMA).
From town gas to LPG. In most HDB flats and condos this is not practical or permitted, as the building is designed around piped supply and cylinder storage raises fire safety issues. Check with HDB or your condo’s management (MCST, the Management Corporation Strata Title that runs the estate) before considering it.
Changing appliances. When you buy a new gas hob, oven or water heater, tell the shop which gas you have. Some models can be converted with different burner parts, but this must be done by a licensed gas worker, never as a DIY job. Fitting the wrong appliance can produce poor flames, soot and dangerous carbon monoxide.
Safety Basics for Either Gas Type
Both supplies are safe when used properly. Good habits include:
- Turn off the hob, and the cylinder valve for LPG, when you finish cooking or go away for a long trip.
- Never leave a lit burner unattended, especially with children around.
- Keep the kitchen ventilated, with a window open or the hood running.
- Get gas appliances and pipes checked by a licensed worker if they are old or behave oddly.
- Do not hide gas pipes or meters behind fixed carpentry without proper access.
If you ever smell gas, do not switch on lights or appliances, open the windows, turn off the supply if it is safe to do so and leave. Our guide on what to do if you smell gas in your kitchen walks through the steps and who to call.
Which Suits You?
You rarely get to choose, but each has its strengths:
- Town gas suits most people in HDB flats and condos: no deliveries, no storage, metered billing and a supply that does not run out mid-cook.
- LPG works well for landed homes without piped gas, and some cooks like its strong, steady flame. The trade-off is managing cylinders and storage.
Before you sign a lease or buy, ask the agent or owner which gas the home uses and whether the existing appliances match. It is a small question that saves a frustrating first week.
Explore more: Induction vs Gas Cooktops: An Honest Singapore Guide · What to Do If You Smell Gas in Your Kitchen
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out whether my flat uses town gas or LPG? Ask the landlord, agent or previous owner, and look at the hob for a label stating the gas type. A gas meter and fixed pipework in the kitchen point to town gas, while a cylinder in the corner means LPG. If you are still unsure, SP Group or City Energy can confirm for your address.
Is town gas cheaper than LPG? It depends on how much you cook and on current tariffs, which change from time to time, so no single answer holds for everyone. Town gas is metered and billed with your utilities, while LPG is paid per cylinder. Check the latest tariff on the SP Group or City Energy website and ask your dealer for their cylinder price.
How long does an LPG cylinder last in a home kitchen? It varies with household size and how often you cook, so there is no fixed answer. Learn your own rhythm over the first few cylinders, and keep a full spare so cooking is never interrupted. A cylinder that feels light or a weakening flame is the cue to reorder.
Do I need a licensed worker to install or move a gas hob? Yes. Connecting, relocating or converting gas appliances and pipework should be done by a gas service worker licensed by the Energy Market Authority. DIY work risks leaks, soot and carbon monoxide, and a hob built for one gas can burn dangerously on the other.
What do I do with the gas supply when I move out of a rented home? Settle your final utilities bill and close or transfer the account with SP Group, depending on who holds it under your tenancy agreement. For LPG, arrange for the dealer to collect any cylinders you are holding. Agree with the landlord beforehand who handles the final gas charges.
Official sources: Energy Market Authority