propane to gas...

We have an all propane house....furnace, hot water heater, stove, fireplace logs. Gas is coming down our street. If we sign up right away and get one appliance hooked up to the gas they will waive the tap in fee of $550. We know we would like to switch over but it's a huge expense that we weren't planning into our budget (especially w/the holidays coming). Our fireplace is tied into the house right by the main line coming in (propane) the other appliances are all tied into one line going accross the basement. We were thinking we could switch over just the logs for now and leave the rest on the propane until next winter (we have almost a whole tank of propane). We've gotten mixed word on whether or not we can switch over the logs from propane to gas. They are the comfort glow-unfortunatly I can't find a phone number in my paper work.

Can anyone help me?

 

Hello Gia and Welcome to my Gas Appliances topic.

Have to be honest with you. I cannot offer you an unbiased answer. I work in the natural gas industry. For one of the nations largest natural gas utilities. The final choices will be what ever you elect to do but I can offer you some suggestions.

What I recommend is jump at the chance to get connected regardless of costs. Connecting to an unending supply of gas has to be a vast improvement to the value of the house and a huge convience. Failure to do so now will cost far more later.

Most, if not all natural gas companies will provide the conversion of the appliances either for free or at a nominal, at cost price. Contact the utility and inquire.

If they provide the conversion to all appliances, regardless of costs to you, take it and let them do all the conversions of the major appliances. Doing so is a wise idea, in my opinion.

If the sole appliance has to be selected to use up the remaining propane, let it be the fireplace. These appliances are the least expensive and easiest to convert or replace with a natural gas unit when the time arrives.

Baring in mind that the fireplace has to be on a seperate supply line from the natural gas. Which means the main house supply line will be for natural gas, while for the time being until the propane is used up, the fireplace will remain seperate.

Which means a licensed plumber will be needed to seperate the lines per local building and safety codes. Once the propane is used up, the two seperate lines will than need to be connected together, the fireplace appliance either converted or replaced.

If it where me, I'd take out the fire place appliance now. Cap the line and allow all natural gas to be the main source of energy. Later, when financial resources become available, replace the fire place appliance with a new natural gas unit.

Hope all this offers you some insights and helpful advice.
In my opinion and best professional advice, take advantage of the opportunity while it is present.

I have yet to meet anyone whom has done so at the time of the offering and whom was unhappy they did so.

I have meet many whom wished they had taken advantage of the opportunity when it was presented, but had not done so.

Regards & Good Luck. Sharp Advice
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