The Difference Between Natural Gas And Propane
We are using the term natural gas to distinguish it from propane gas which is for entirely different grills. Some propane grills have converter kits so you can use your natural gas stub-out and leave those canisters behind, but it is not safe to convert it yourself. It is always recommended to use one supplied by the manufacturing company for your specific grill.
Natural gas is the same gas you have for your water heater and probably a gas stove, furnace, or fireplace in your house. It is provided as a utility so if you arent currently using it you will set that up first. If you have a natural gas line that goes outside to be used for pool heating or grilling, you will see a capped stub out protruding from an exterior wall.
Connecting Gas Grill To House Propane Supply
Connecting your propane gas grill to your house propane supply is a great way to ensure you can cook dinner anytime without running out of gas. This can be a fairly straight forward home improvement project if you have an accessible gas line near the grill.
In my case I had the plumbers run a gas line outside just under the deck when we built the house. They ran the gas line outside and left it with a shut-off valve so that I could connect it to my grill.
First off I want to caution you not to mess around with your gas lines if youre not 100% sure what youre doing. Also, you should check with your local code officials before you start a project similar to this. In this post Im only showing you how to run a flexible gas line from the shut-off valve to the grill.
Water Heater And Furnace Gas Line Installation
Installing a gas line to power a water heater and furnace typically costs $350 to $600. In addition, furnace replacement costs$2,000 to $5,400 on average. If you’re upgrading from electric to gas, water heater installation costs$600 and $1,800.
Several other costs may need to be covered, including a permit and inspection from $50 to $300.
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Questions And Research Before Hiring
The following are the initial questions to ask professionals who you are considering hiring.
You should be able to go online to verify their qualifications and licensing information. Make sure to record the following information for reference later:
- Company name
How To Properly Connect A Gas Grill To A Propane Tank
If you are changing from a previously spent tank you need to first make sure to close the valve on the grills gas line as well as the propane tank itself. This will ensure that trace amounts of gas dont escape.
Step 1: Remove the old propane tank to a safe distance.Step 2: Carefully remove the perforated plastic seal from the new propane tank.Step 3: Connect the grills gas hose to the new propane tank by pushing the coupler into the tank and firmly hand tightening the knob.Step 4: Open the propane tanks valve.Step 5: Open the lid of the grill and test fire each burner to ensure that the propane connection is operating correctly and at full pressure.
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Cost To Install Gas Line For Fireplace
The total cost to install a gas fireplace including the gas line is $2,300 to $4,000. If you have already purchased the fireplace, expect to spend $12 to $25 per linear foot to run a line from the manifold. Once installed, operational costs for a natural gas fireplace run $0.70 an hour, while using propane costs $2.30 an hour.
How To Properly Connect A Natural Gas Line To A Natural Gas Grill
Its important to note that natural gas cannot burn safely in a propane element or vice versa. There are some grill manufacturers who offer conversion kits that will let you switch from one type of gas to another. However, they do require a fair amount of extra installation.
You also need to make sure that you have natural gas available on your deck or patio. This is not the sort of thing you can do on your own. If you have fallen in love with a specific natural gas grill, but you dont have a natural gas line running to that location, you will need to either contact your municipal provider or a licensed gas fitting company.
Once you have a secure gas line plumbed to your preferred location the process of installing your natural gas grill is relatively easy. Most manufacturers will even provide a 10 to 12-foot long natural gas hose with the initial purchase.
Step 1: Carefully remove the safety cap on the line with a pipe wrench.Step 2: Dry fit the connections to make sure everything is seating properly and there arent any cross-threading issues.Step 3: Apply sealant or sealant tape and then firmly connect the natural gas hose to the fitting. This should lock them in place.
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Not Making Sure Everything Lines Up Properly
Homeowners who have successfully installed a gas grill by themselves suggest that you double check to make sure everything lines up properly so there wont be kinks in the gas lines. Follow the instructions that come with the grill. Be especially careful with measurements if youre installing the grill or any components in a frame, and that everything is square and level. You dont want to have to re-cut the holes for the gas line or end up with the weight of the barbeque and it will be heavy resting on its skirt, which is not designed to support it.
Free Or Cheap Main Gas Line Installations
Free or cheap main gas line installs are offered by some gas companies as well. Before contacting your gas supplier, get details on the following to see if you qualify for a free or low-cost installation.
- Distance of Installation Short distances up to 100 feet with a connection to a gas run heating system may be free of charge which includes the gas line and meter.
- Multiple Houses For example, in rural areas connection costs can be split or reduced by having multiple houses connected at one time.
- Edge of property Rural areas sometimes offers connection to the edge of a property for free, though the other costs apply to the rest of the property.
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How Do I Connect A Natural Gas Grill To My House
To connect a natural gas grill to your house, you need to hire a professional. Working with gas lines is dangerous, so do not attempt this without a professional present. A plumbing or heating contractor or a licensed gas fitter are your best options to install your natural gas grill.
If you have some experience and plan to pursue the gas grill installation yourself, be sure to have it inspected by a professional before use.
There are two main ways to power your grill: propane or natural gas. Natural gas has several advantages when compared to propane.
- Cost-effective natural gas is often less expensive than propane, which will save you money over time.
- Safe Unlike propane, which is denser than air, natural gas is lighter than air. It rises, which prevents any dangerous buildup of gas from occurring.
- Convenient No need to buy bulky propane tanks and hook them up to your gas grill. Also, you wont have to refill natural gas like you do with propane, which makes it a reliable option.
- Portable As long as you have the right cord to connect your grill to the home gas line, you can install your gas grill anywhere in the yard.
If you are looking to invest in a natural gas grill, then check out this article for our detailed step-by-step breakdown of the installation process. Refer to the video below to help with the installation.
Reasons Why You Shouldnt Connect Your Barbecue To Your Gas Line
Published in Plumbing Tips, 13th Apr 2018
In Australia, land of the barbie, almost every house has a barbecue of its own. These barbecues run on gas, which typically requires an individual liquid propane gas tank .
Although gas tanks are the most easy and efficient way to set up your home barbecue, some locals in Melbourne are now attempting to connect their grills to their homes natural gas lines. Their main justifications are that they want to avoid the hassle of lugging home and having to refill their gas tanks, and that they are trying to minimise the eyesore of a large gas bottle in their yard.
While the decision to swap your barbecue from LPG to your homes natural gas line may sound like a good idea in theory, it gets a big red flag from us. When you compare the two options, you may actually find that LPG wins every time.
Here are the top six reasons to avoid doing so:
The biggest reason why is because barbecues that require LPG run completely differently than items that use the natural gas in your home gas line. They operate at different pressures and temperatures, and utilise differently sized, injectors / valves. You cannot connect your barbecue to your natural gas line without doing some sort of complicated conversion.
Another thing many people dont realise is that you must install an additional gas line directly to your grill if you want to cater for the extra load to your domestic gas system.
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Can I Hook In My Own Natural Gas Grill
You definitely can hook up your own natural gas grill if you have all the right tools for it. If you dont have prior knowledge of plumbing or you are not familiar with the tools, we recommend hiring a professional to do the job.
As its natural gas, a small accident can be very detrimental and no one should take a risk.
A plumbing or heating contractor can easily install your gas grill. Its always better to go natural as it saves a lot of money and energy in the long run.
You wont have to refill those bulky propane tanks. As you wont have to move around the tank at all, its safer too.
Bbq Gas Lines Installation
The outdoor grilling season sees many of us replenishing the portable liquid propane tank on an outdoor grill several times. This is not only inconvenient but also expensive. Either you are using propane gas or natural gas, a good option is having BBQ gas lines installation to provide a place to plug into that fuel source. Its especially useful if you have a custom outdoor kitchen area where changing tanks is inconvenient.
There are tons of household tasks you can do yourself to save money. However, playing around with gas should not be one of them. Leave this task to a gas furnace professional as MidCity Plumbers. We have years of experience and knowledge to perfectly connect gas lines for outdoor BBQ.
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Can You Join A Propane Grill To A Natural Gas Line
You can hook up a propane grill to your natural home gas line. Some grills come with a built-in adapter that provides a smooth transition from one fuel type to another. Others need an extra adapter for it.
You should never hook your propane gas grill to your natural gas without converting it at first. Otherwise, it can turn into a fire hazard. To convert, you need certain tools and instruments. You can hire someone to do the task for you.
It is important to note that not all propane grills can convert to a natural line. Check the user manual of your grill or contact customer service to know whether your grill is compatible with switching.
New Gas Meter Install Cost
The average cost for a new residential gas meter ranges between $200 and $300, while installation labor adds $100 to $300. Many time you won’t have to pay anything because gas companies own, maintain, and install the lines and meters up to your home.
Gas Meter Installation Cost
| Install Labor | $100 $300 |
Installation and replacement costs are often comparable, though replacement typically will not require additional charges, such as application fees. New meters must meet regulations and code requirements for their placement, and gas providers may require a unique meter for their services, limiting your choices.
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Does A Natural Gas Grill Need A Regulator
For safety reasons, invest in a regulator for your natural gas grill. Natural gas grills require a pressure rating of 4 WC .
When you run the gas to different appliances like your water heater, furnace, or gas grill, pressure regulators decrease the PSI so that your gas lines remain intact. This is why its important to regulate the pressure running to your gas grill. Natural gas is supplied by your city or county at a specific pressure. Consult your contractor to determine this pressure.
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Situation : Connections To Soft Copper
Connections for flexible soft copper are made by flaring the end of the soft copper tubing with a special flaring tool and installing flare fittings that have a matching cone-shaped meeting surface. Common sizes of flare fittings are 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, and 5/8 inch.
- Match flare fittings to the outside diameter of the soft copper you’re connecting to.
- Note: The photo below shows a soft copper line that’s kinked and should be replaced. There are two options:
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The Benefits Of A Natural Gas Barbeque Hook Up
Having a natural gas line for your barbeque is very convenient. Instead of worrying about your propane running out in the middle of cooking dinner, youll have a non-stop supply from your utilitys natural gas line. Once installed, your hook up will be located near where your grill is. When you want to use the barbeque, simply turn on the valve, light the grill and away you go.
The natural gas you use for your barbeque will be cheaper than how much youll pay for propane. Youll experience substantial savings over the years, not to mention the headache of having to fill or swap your tank.
Natural gas is lighter than air, and it rises. Propane is heavier and tends to build up when it is used. This factor makes natural gas a safer fuel to use compared to propane. You dont have to worry about built-up gas igniting unexpectantly. It also burns cleaner than propane, which means fewer toxins are released in the air and in your food.
Propane also gives off a wet heat, which can change the texture of the food you are cooking. Some people think this type of heat has a negative impact on the food and prefer how natural gas cooks instead.
This article will discuss the cost of having a professional gasfitter hook install a line out for your barbeque. Before getting to that, we will cover some important information.
Youll Need Your Local Plumber On This One
The following video from This Old House will give you a good idea of how much goes into the process of connecting a natural gas line. We want to stress, as the video does, that this is not a do-it-yourself job. Many of our friends and customers know us not only as plumbing contractors but as a resource for DIY tips. We love to empower our Columbus community, but safety comes first. For this particular project, you need a license.
The biggest question is whether or not your home has a gas supply. If it does, thats great news! More than likely, your local plumber can set up a gas line to your grill no problem. Plumbing One would love to help get you connected and grilling with confidence this season.
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Pretending The Food Tastes Great When It Doesnt
Last but not least, before buying or installing a natural gas grill, find out from others in your vicinity whether they are pleased with the taste of food prepared on their gas grills. In some places the type of odorant added to natural gas so you can smell leaks sometimes imparts an unpleasant taste to food cooked on a natural gas grill. If thats the case, get a propane, charcoal, or even an electric grill designed for outdoor use.
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