New Gas Service Line Installation With ATCO Gas

Updated on
min reading

Getting a new gas service line isn't complicated, but can take up to three months depending on your project and where you live. Our guide will walk you through the steps of getting a new gas line installed with ATCO Gas so that you don't have any surprises.

We recommend that you enlist the help of a licensed HVAC professional when getting gas service set up. You can find a list of licensed HVAC contractors on the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) website.

A Word About Timing

Installing new gas service connection does take some time. If you live in an urban area, you should expect the whole process to take at least four to six weeks. If you need new gas service in a rural area, you should allow up to three months for your new gas service to be installed.

Weather (particularly frost) and the need to apply for external approvals and permits can slow the process, so make sure to provide plenty of time if you are applying for new gas service in the fall. Be aware that frozen conditions may delay the installation process by at least five working days, and may involve higher costs.

Review New Service Line Requirements

Your site must meet certain criteria for ATCO Gas to install new gas connection. These include:

  • The street address must be clearly visible from the road
  • The foundation walls of the site should be backfilled, and the site must be within 150 mm of final grade
  • Privately-owned utilities within the property boundaries must be clearly marked (ATCO Gas will make arrangements to locate utility-owned facilities)
  • The service line route must not be obstructed by building materials or any other debris that would obstruct installation
  • All other underground utilities (e.g. water lines, power) should be installed
  • The location of the gas riser on the building must be clearly marked

Apply for New Service

Your first step is to make a request for new service from ATCO Gas. To do this, you will need to contact your nearest ATCO Gas agency office. Not all of the agency offices are able to handle new service line requests, so make sure that you call in advance to confirm. Make sure to ask an ATCO Gas representative about prepayment requirements, as you will be required to submit prepayment of at least some of the installation costs with your service request. When you submit your service request, you will need to provide the following information:

  • Contact person and phone number
  • Prepayment
  • Site ready date
  • Plot plan (with full civic address & legal description)
  • The square metre total development floor area of your house, plus any additions (if planned)
  • A site plan that shoes the proposed gas meter location and service alignment (right or left)
  • Your total planned gas load (in Btu) (taking into account energy use by your furnace, hot water heater, dryer, fireplace, range, in-floor heating, garage heater, etc)

You will submit your completed application at your nearest ATCO Gas agency office (or the nearest one that handles new service requests). If you require new service in Calgary, you can submit a form online, which you can find on the ATCO Gas website.

If you are submitting a new service request for a rural property, you will need to submit the following documents in addition to the service request

  • A current copy of the Certificate of Title
  • A copy of the real property report or of the legal plan
  • A site plan that indicates lot lines, quarter lines of property, roadways, buildings, driveway, the septic field, wells, secondary utilities, any future plans, and the north arrow

Get a Site ID & Choose an Energy Retailer

In order to enroll with an energy retailer for your gas supply, you will need to have a site ID. ATCO Gas will generate a site ID automatically after having received your completed application. You should wait at least five (5) business days (but not considerably more than 5 days, so that the entire process doesn't get delayed) before enrolling with an energy retailer. In Alberta you have a choice of who provides your natural gas supply, so it is a good idea to shop around in advance so that you know what your options are. You will need to have enrolled for gas supply with a retailer in order to have your gas meter installed.

New Service Installation

An ATCO Gas representative will likely make a site inspection before installation of your gas service, to verify that all of the requirements are met and that there are no further complications to the installation that need to be taken into account. ATCO Gas will install your meter once the service line installation has been completed and the house line has been approved by the local authority, and after ATCO Gas has received notice of enrolment from your chosen energy retailer.

ATCO Gas will install the meter and gas connection line, but you (the customer) must arrange for a qualified professional to light your gas-fired appliances.