Regulatory authority, propane companies reach agreement to replace defective cylinders
Old propane cylinders or those in poor condition soon will be replaced by new ones, following an agreement between the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) and the country’s four distribution companies.
Negotiations began after ARESEP in February disclosed the results of a gas quality evaluation showing that 61 percent of the cylinders currently in use lack appropriate information, and 23 percent have some kind of physical damage including leaks, dents or corrosion.
A separate study disclosed last month by the Costa Rican Consumers Association, a consumer rights group, also noted the risk of explosion by most of the cooking gas cylinders currently used in homes here.
Firefighters responded to a total of 5,363 emergencies related to gas leaks in 2014, with 91 percent of those occurring in homes.
As part of the agreement, each company will set up a phone number for customers to file a complaint. Companies will address the request as quickly as possible, regardless of where the cylinder was purchased.
ARESEP’s Energy Manager Juan Quesada Espinoza said propane companies pledged to unite efforts to promote safer use of propane in the country. If a company fails to address complaints properly, users can file another complaint at the agency’s free line: 8000-ARESEP (8000-273737).
Following are the phone numbers for propane companies to request the replacement of defective cylinders:
Gas Nacional Zeta: 800-938-2427
Gas Tomza / Envasadora Super Gas GLP: 2201-6000
Petrogas & Solgas: 800-Petrogas o 2573-7212
You may be interested

Nearly 100 locations now offer antigen tests for travelers in Costa Rica
Alejandro Zúñiga - February 26, 2021Several countries, including the United States, require that returning travelers test negative for the coronavirus. More than 100 labs in…

Costa Rica Covid-19 information from the U.S. Embassy
The Tico Times - February 26, 2021The United States Embassy on Friday issued a summary of Costa Rica's coronavirus measures that our readers may find helpful.…

Costa Rica will (finally) support contactless payments on public transport
Alejandro Zúñiga - February 26, 2021Costa Rica's next step toward modernizing its public transport system will be to allow contactless payments. The Railway Institute (INCOFER)…