If I change GAS to regulated market, do I have to pay a new check?

I receive dozens of messages with this question. As you have already noticed, if you are an EDP or GALP customer (we still don’t know the value of the increases from others) as of October 1, the price of gas will almost triple. 20 bill becomes 60, from 50 to 150, from 300 to 900 euros. This is serious.

As I explained to you in this article hereIf you did your calculations and did not pay to continue with your company because you have other discounts that are very important to you, the best decision is to change as soon as possible to the regulated market. We still don’t know how it’s done, because the government hasn’t explained it yet. you must wait.

But do I have to pay 60-80 euros or more for a change?

This point is very important. The answer is yes and no. It depends on how long it has been since the last gas check in your home. I expect that dozens (if not hundreds) of you will have to pay a new gas check if you want to change your gas supplier, regulated or not.

But I want you to understand one simple thing: No one has to pay a new gas check just to switch gas companies. Inspections are mandatory every x years, whether you change supplier or not. What happens is that many of us did not do it in time and now, in accordance with the law, the supplier (whether regulated or not) to enter into a new contract is obliged to require a valid certificate of inspection.

If you have the contract and it is valid (within the legal validity period), you change your contract and you don’t have to pay anything. If it is outdated or if you cannot find it or if you never have it (at a time when the document was not mandatory), then you will have to pay a new check even before you go to the regulated market (or another company).

Will there be room for your examination?

This is one of the biggest problems I foresee. As soon as it becomes possible to return to the regulated gas market (we still do not know how), there will be a flood of requests for such inspections. Will companies be able to respond to tens of thousands of requests in the first few weeks? I doubt it very much.

That is, if you are not very attentive and have already requested a check, you may have to wait several weeks, or a month, or longer, before you can switch to a regulated market. And in the meantime, you’ll pay ridiculous prices.

Perhaps the government, being aware of this problem, will create some kind of exemption / postponement / any other solution to prevent the bureaucracy from preventing the savings of the Portuguese who want to change the resource immediately so as not to fall victim to these terrible increases.

I also want you to understand that these increases are not corporate greed. They cannot buy gas at 300 and sell it at 35. It is one of the consequences of the war. We take it on the table.

Who has to pay for a new examination?

This link contains all the information from the General Directorate of Energy and Geology on the topic:

https://www.dgeg.gov.pt/pt/areas-setoriais/energia/combustiveis/instalacoes-de-gas-em-edificios/

I will summarize for you what is in law.

Gas installations (IG) are subject to Periodic inspectionsOn pain of cutting off the gas supply.

In cases of diversion, changes to the IG, gas leakage, or interruption of supply due to a serious defect, the IG is also subject to Exceptional Inspections. Meaning, whenever you have a gas problem or change equipment, you are required by law to order a new inspection. Changes many water heaters, stoves, etc. And they don’t. It is illegal and very dangerous.

Change of gas supplier and change of ownership in the contract gas supply It does not mean an exceptional examinationprovided there is a valid examination statement or, alternatively, an examination report with approval of results, approval of installation.

All geographical indications shall be subject to periodic examination at the following frequency:

In short, look and see – over time – the valid inspection permit in your home that approves the installation and that allows you to verify that any gas appliances, ventilator exhaust systems and combustion products have not been replaced. of gas appliances.

When changing a supplier, you do not have to perform a new inspection if the customer provides a valid inspection certificate and a declaration confirming that no structural changes have been made to the natural gas installation – Conformity confirmation of installation. You can print this announcement on the EDP website, for example, using the link in the previous sentence.

When changing ownership of a gas contract, a new inspection is also not paid if the customer presents a valid inspection certificate and a statement proving that no structural changes have been made to the natural gas installation.

Periodic inspections should be carried out by:

• 5 in 5 years: in establishments over 10 years;
• 3 in 3 years: in gas installations in companies and institutions.

In order not to have to pay for this new check, you must have these two valid documents with you (to upload when you move to the regulated market):

• A valid inspection certificate issued by the Natural Gas Inspection Authority – If the inspection certificate provided is no longer valid, a new inspection is necessary. The examination report does not replace the examination certificate.
• Conformity declaration for natural gas facility who certifies that, to the best of his knowledge, no changes have been made to the layout, section or nature of the piping (in the common parts or within the housing), or that the installation components have been replaced by others of a different type.

What do I do?

Compliance with the law. If you find your gas check is too late, do it right away this month so you don’t have to wait weeks after October. If the check is up to date (every 5 years, after the first 10 years) you don’t have to worry about paying these expenses (which you will pay later, supplier change or not).

So, if you’ve never thought about this aspect of natural gas checks, expect an extra expense in October of €60, €80 or another amount depending on your situation and/or the company you hire to do the check, if you want to switch to regulated. It is your responsibility, not the responsibility of the gas company to move to. Go and see your papers.