LP Versus Natural gas cost?
- Thread starter P Dubya
- Start date
samert111
Well-known member
Yes, your Reznor heater should be able to be converted and yes NG is much cheaper than LP.
For my 2300 SF house on LP I was paying $2400 per year 3 years ago and now on NG I'm paying just over $1000 so the savings is more than 50% for me here in Michigan.
For my 2300 SF house on LP I was paying $2400 per year 3 years ago and now on NG I'm paying just over $1000 so the savings is more than 50% for me here in Michigan.
rlitman
Well-known member
Propane prices tend to be based on your tank size and level of consumption, and follow oil prices. If you've got a -huge- tank, and use a lot, you may be paying only a little more per amount of heat output than oil. Natural gas is still cheaper (today).
samert111's point is very true. In most cases NG can be less than half the price of propane. You can look up your local NG supplier's rates, and if you post those, along with your average propane cost, I'm sure someone here will convert those numbers into an apples to apples comparison for your exact situation, but I'm already pretty sure NG will be much cheaper.
The question is how much cheaper, and how long will it take break even on the investment of installing NG.
One thing I can say, is that many NG suppliers give a good discount to the excavation and installation costs, just to gain a new customer. They see it as an expansion of their service area, as they will continue to have a pipeline into the building, long after you no longer own it. The installation might not be viable if it's too far, but right across the street shouldn't be too horrible.
samert111's point is very true. In most cases NG can be less than half the price of propane. You can look up your local NG supplier's rates, and if you post those, along with your average propane cost, I'm sure someone here will convert those numbers into an apples to apples comparison for your exact situation, but I'm already pretty sure NG will be much cheaper.
The question is how much cheaper, and how long will it take break even on the investment of installing NG.
One thing I can say, is that many NG suppliers give a good discount to the excavation and installation costs, just to gain a new customer. They see it as an expansion of their service area, as they will continue to have a pipeline into the building, long after you no longer own it. The installation might not be viable if it's too far, but right across the street shouldn't be too horrible.
39portlander
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2012
- Messages
- 34
Your Reznor should have come set up for Natural gas and converted by your installer. All the equipment I install comes set up for natural and have to buy and convert the appliance to propane. Thinking your installer might have left the spring and orfice in the plastic bag with the service/install packet like I do.
In Maine Natural is cheaper than propane, the price is reflective due in part to getting a guy out to fill your tank when needed. I think most heating equipment in New england any way, will be dominated by Natural gas with in the next few years, oil is going away quickly. In Maine, they cannot dig the gas lines quick enough and I don't see the U.S. drilling any time soon
In Maine Natural is cheaper than propane, the price is reflective due in part to getting a guy out to fill your tank when needed. I think most heating equipment in New england any way, will be dominated by Natural gas with in the next few years, oil is going away quickly. In Maine, they cannot dig the gas lines quick enough and I don't see the U.S. drilling any time soon
Just a little more information.... I just recently purchased this place so I know very little about it, cant find any parts that have been left over from a previous orifice conversion... Getting the gas to the shop would be no problem for me as my business is excavation and directional boring.... I know the shop needs new insulated doors but I have been shocked at how much LP I have used so far and it has been a very mild winter so far.... Thanks for the replies!!
39portlander
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2012
- Messages
- 34
P Dubya your in, if your in that line of bus. you got to know some rep.heating guy's who can help you out. grainger may stock reznor in your area, fw webb rep's them. Most kit's, will run between 20-40$.
Depending how old the unit is, have your gas/heating tech. inspect the heat exchanger and bubble solution the gas pipeing. You may have a small weep @ a fitting/s.
If you can't find any one in your area, go to Dan Hollohan's web site Heatinghelp.com. There is a list of reputable tech's by state/town/city ect. This web site is another great resource for heating/A.C. ?'s.
Depending how old the unit is, have your gas/heating tech. inspect the heat exchanger and bubble solution the gas pipeing. You may have a small weep @ a fitting/s.
If you can't find any one in your area, go to Dan Hollohan's web site Heatinghelp.com. There is a list of reputable tech's by state/town/city ect. This web site is another great resource for heating/A.C. ?'s.
Last edited:
HoosierBuddy
Well-known member
A couple of thoughts on the LP to NG conversion.
Natural gas is cheaper than LP.
Contact the gas company. They generally run the pipe all the way to your building wall and set the meter there. Costs will vary, but that part may be free.
You will get a monthly customer charge with NG service, which you don't have with propane. This might be in the $10 to $20 range as an estimate...and you pay it every month regardless of gas usage.
Many NG utilities require a deposit for some customers...and likely almost all new commercial customers to protect them against loss if you go out of business, declare bankruptcy, or otherwise don't pay your bill. In Indiana, gas deposits must generally be returned to the customer after 1 year of good pay, and bear interest if held longer (let's say in a situation of not-so-good-pay).
Besides your appliances, you also have to figure out if your piping can be used for NG. In many cases, copper is not allowed for NG (ask the gas company...some do allow it). Also, since NG runs at a lower pressure than LP...sometimes old LP lines can't be used because they are undersized for NG. Black steel (aka maleable iron) is the prefered material for interior NG lines.
Good Luck!
Phil
Natural gas is cheaper than LP.
Contact the gas company. They generally run the pipe all the way to your building wall and set the meter there. Costs will vary, but that part may be free.
You will get a monthly customer charge with NG service, which you don't have with propane. This might be in the $10 to $20 range as an estimate...and you pay it every month regardless of gas usage.
Many NG utilities require a deposit for some customers...and likely almost all new commercial customers to protect them against loss if you go out of business, declare bankruptcy, or otherwise don't pay your bill. In Indiana, gas deposits must generally be returned to the customer after 1 year of good pay, and bear interest if held longer (let's say in a situation of not-so-good-pay).
Besides your appliances, you also have to figure out if your piping can be used for NG. In many cases, copper is not allowed for NG (ask the gas company...some do allow it). Also, since NG runs at a lower pressure than LP...sometimes old LP lines can't be used because they are undersized for NG. Black steel (aka maleable iron) is the prefered material for interior NG lines.
Good Luck!
Phil
rlitman
Well-known member
Well said!