GAS Califonts NZ

Yes. In New Zealand, all permanent gas installations must be carried out by a certified gasfitter by law. This ensures that your califont is correctly flued, has adequate ventilation, and meets the NZS 5261 safety standards. A professional installation not only ensures the safety of your family but is also required to validate your product warranty and comply with most home or vehicle insurance policies.

For portable, non-permanent camping units, professional installation isn’t required, but we always recommend following the safety manual strictly.

The primary difference is how the unit handles exhaust gases. Outdoor califonts are designed to be mounted on an exterior wall where they can vent directly into the open air. Indoor califonts are installed inside a kitchen, laundry, or bathroom and must be flued to the outside using a dedicated pipe system to safely remove combustion gases. Indoor units also have specific room-size and ventilation requirements to ensure there is enough oxygen for the burner to operate safely.

A califont is an ‘instantaneous’ system, meaning it only heats water when you turn on the tap. Traditional hot water cylinders suffer from ‘standing heat loss’ because they constantly reheat a large tank of water 24/7, even when you aren’t using it. By switching to a califont, you eliminate this wasted energy, significantly reducing your LPG consumption. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to provide hot water for off-grid baches, tiny homes, and RVs.

Califonts require a minimum water flow rate (measured in litres per minute) to trigger the gas burner to ignite. If your water pressure is too low, which is common in gravity-fed systems or small baches, the unit may not ‘click’ on, or the water temperature may fluctuate. If you have low pressure, we recommend pairing your califont with a 12V or 240V pressure pump to ensure a consistent flow and a reliable, hot shower every time.