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