When we built the house, I had the plumbers run a gas line outdoors, just beneath the deck. They ran the gas line outside and installed a shut-off valve so I could hook it up to my barbecue.
First and foremost, I would advise you to avoid tampering with your gas lines if you are unsure of what you are doing. You should also verify with your local code officials before embarking on a job like this. I’ll simply show you how to run a flexible gas line from the shut-off valve to the grill in this post.
Step 1Remove Grill Regulator
The old regulator and supply line on your propane barbecue must be removed first. As you can see in this shot, the line running from the propane tank on my barbecue has a regulator attached to it before connecting to the bottom of the grill. Because I’ll be connecting the grill to the house propane supply, which already has a regulator to lower the pressure, I’ll be removing the regulator entirely.
As you can see, I’ve removed the grill regulator fully and will save it in case I need to transport the barbecue and connect it to a portable propane tank. Examine the fitting that connects the regulator hose to the grill, since you’ll need the identical fitting on your new gas line.
Step 2Connect Flexible Gas Line To Grill
I went to my local propane provider and had a 12 foot rubber gas line made for me. They provided the fittings I required to connect the gas line to the grill as well as the shut-off valve beneath the deck. Because I had no experience with gas lines, I chose to have them install one. As you can see in the second shot, I’ve connected the new gas line to the same spot on the grill where the old one was.
Step 3Connect Gas Line To Gas Shut Off Valve
Next, I dug a hole on the deck, ran the gas line beneath it, and attached it with brackets to the framing. I connected the new gas line to the existing gas shut-off valve. I connected the fittings and double-checked that everything was secure.
Finally, I turned on the gas and used a soapy water solution to check for leaks in the fittings. The barbecue grill is fantastic, and we no longer have to worry about running out of gas while cooking dinner or hosting a party.
Do I need a regulator for my propane grill?
Is a gas regulator required? A gas regulator is installed on every gas grill to control the flow of gas to the device. A regulator problem could be the cause of your gas grill not getting hot enough or not heating up at all. In that situation, your gas grill regulator will need to be replaced rather than repaired.
What does it cost to install a gas line for a grill?
Installing a gas line for a kitchen stove costs $15 to $25 per linear foot on average. Total costs range from $200 to $1,000 or more depending on the length of piping needed to connect to the main gas supply, which typically averages 30′.
Cost To Convert Electric Stove To Gas
For an existing gas line, converting an electric stove to gas costs around $400. It takes less energy to switch to a gas stove. The food cooks more evenly and takes less time to heat and chill on the gas burners.
Cost To Run Gas Line For Grill or Fire Pit
Running a gas line from the main gas line to a barbecue or fire pit costs $20 per foot, or $200 to $700 on average, depending on the length. A natural gas connection for a barbecue costs $99 to $600 to install, while a fire pit in the backyard costs $300 to $1,400.
Cost To Run Gas Line To Dryer
The cost of running a gas line to a dryer ranges from $150 to $1,000, with an average of $352 including the new line’s connection to the dryer. Although gas dryers are more cost-effective than electric dryers, the initial cost of a gas dryer, including the cost of the dryer, is generally higher.
Cost To Install Gas Line For Fireplace
The overall cost of a gas fireplace installation, including the gas line, ranges from $2,300 to $4,000. If you already own the fireplace, running a line from the manifold will cost $12 to $25 per linear foot. Natural gas fireplaces cost $0.70 per hour to operate once installed, while propane fireplaces cost $2.30 per hour.
Water Heater and Furnace Gas Line Installation
A gas line to power a water heater and furnace usually costs $350 to $600 to install. Furthermore, furnace replacement costs anywhere from $2,000 to $5,400 on average. Water heater installation costs between $600 and $1,800 if you’re switching from an electric to a gas heater.
A permit and inspection, which can cost anywhere from $50 to $300, may be required.
Cost To Add Gas Line To Pool Heater
A new gas line for a pool heater can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,400, depending on the connection and length of the new gas line. The connection alone costs between $173 and $297, without including any callout expenses.
Pool heaters are an excellent technique to fast heat a pool for a limited period of time. They do a better job of maintaining the pool’s temperature than other types of heaters. As a result, gas pool heaters are perfect for pools that aren’t used frequently.
Generator Gas Line Installation
The average cost of one of the most prevalent types of generators (the home standby) is between $3,000 and $6,000, or around $4,500 on average, including the cost of the gas connection. The price depends on the generator type and how much of the house is linked.
Cost To Run Gas Line To Garage
Running a gas line to the garage costs $8 to $16 per linear foot on average. The cost is comparable to the cost of installing an outside gas line. The true determining factor is the distance to the garage.
Natural gas or propane: which is less expensive?
While choosing a fuel for your home, consider its safety, cost, efficiency, and environmental impact when making your decision. For each of the aforementioned concerns, you’ll find everything you need to know about the benefits and drawbacks of natural gas and propane.
Safety
Both fuels are extremely combustible and should be handled with extreme caution. However, because of the infrastructure (and bureaucratic red tape) associated with natural gas pipes, leaks can be difficult to detect and repair. This is because, before taking action, utility firms and the public utility commission must agree on how to fund repairs or upgrades.
In San Bruno, Calif., for example, a natural gas pipe controlled by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) exploded in 2010, killing eight people. The gas pipe was found to be damaged after an inquiry, and PG&E had previously been ignorant of the damage.
Although propane tanks have the potential to explode, this is a much less common scenario. Because propane tanks aren’t connected to a large network of gas lines, the impact is minimal.
Furthermore, while some natural gas suppliers add a sulfur fragrance to make it easier to notice a leak, natural gas leaks can be difficult to detect because the fuel is odorless in its natural state.
Propane is considered a safer heating fuel due to the severity of a mishap, however rare it may be.
Environment
Despite the fact that natural gas is a greenhouse gas, it produces half as much emissions as coal. Even yet, it has a higher toxicity than propane, which is neither hazardous nor harmful to the environment. If propane were to leak into the earth, it would have no effect on the water or soil in the area.
Nonetheless, both are still considered environmentally beneficial fuels. But, for this round, we give propane a slight advantage as a green fuel.
Cost and Efficiency
The exact cost of propane vs. natural gas for your home is determined by a variety of factors, including whether or not your home is equipped for the fuels. However, for the purposes of this comparison, we’ll look at the cost of propane and natural gas in terms of BTUs and gallons.
The average cost of natural gas was $6.23 per 1,000 cubic feet, or nearly one million BTUs, at the time this article was written. Propane costs $2.41 a gallon on average in the United States. Natural gas contains approximately 11.20 litres of propane per million BTUs. That implies you’ll spend $6.23 for natural gas and $26.99 for propane for the same amount of fuel.
The more efficient the gasoline, the less you’ll consume, which affects the total cost. Furthermore, propane is the more efficient fuel in general.
Propane has 2,516 BTUs per cubic foot, while natural gas has 1,030 BTUs per cubic foot. Propane has more than double the energy content of natural gas.
Natural gas has a lower cost per gallon, but you’ll require more of it to heat the same appliances. Naturally, if you receive two times the heat from propane, you’ll need less of it.
Is a natural gas regulator required for my grill?
When switching a grill from one gas type to another, you must not only replace the orifices, but also the appliance regulator (if you are converting from Natural Gas to LP). Some grills don’t require an appliance regulator, so if you’re switching to LP, you might be able to do away with it. You will, however, require a regulator to connect to the tank.
The regulator may or may not be convertible. Check to see if the appliance regulator can be converted. The fitting at the top of the regulator will tell you. It will be hexagonal in shape.
A natural gas-only non-convertible regulator will have a circle at the top with a line running down the center.
If your grill has an appliance regulator, you’ll need to convert both the regulator and the grill at the same time. Also, adding an appliance regulator when changing a grill from LP to Natural Gas is a prudent safety measure.
An appliance regulator is required on all natural gas barbecues. It controls the amount of pressure that enters the grill.
You’ll need a wrench and a regulator to convert to Propane (or Natural Gas).
1. Using a wrench, unscrew the cap at the top of the regulator.
2. Remove the plug from the bottom of the cap, rotate it, and snap it into the back of the cap according to the gas type you require. (The gas type will be molded into the plug that goes into the cap.) It will have a NAT if it is set to Natural Gas. The gas type you are converting to will be inserted into the cap (the bottom side of the cap will say LP).
3. Replace the regulator’s cap with a twist.
4. Connect the manifold to the regulator.
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How far away from your home should a gas barbecue be?
Because there’s a risk of fire anyplace there’s heat, the first need for a built-in grill is that it be placed far enough away from the house to keep everyone safe. A built-in grill, unlike a standalone barbecue, cannot be moved away from the house when in use.
How far away from the house should a built-in barbecue be? Spacing is critical whether you’re using a gas, charcoal, or pellet grill. Many builders and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommend that you keep your grill at least 10 feet away from any structure, especially combustible overhangs like awnings. A less cautious recommendation, commonly stated by manufacturers, is at least 3 feet away from a dwelling.
When deciding how far away from your house to position your grill, keep the following in mind.
Local government’s building code department and HOAs
Building rules differ greatly amongst towns, so check to see whether your city or county has a requirement for the distance between grills and structures. Houses, property-dividing fences, or a neighbor’s structure are examples of this.
If you live in a house with a homeowners’ association, find out what rules apply regarding grill location and the addition of structures. To install an overhang, you may need permits or authorization from the HOA first.
Homeowner’s insurance company
Examine your homeowner’s insurance policy for any restrictions or guidelines on how close a grill or outdoor kitchen can be to the main structures.
Brand manufacturer
Your grill’s manufacturer will also provide parameters, such as the recommended distance from the house. As long as there are no protruding overhangs, the 3′ recommendation is frequently used.
While the most common question is how far away a built-in barbecue should be from the house, another worry is the available space above your grill. There must be at least 8′ of free space above the grill if you choose to build your outdoor grill station in a carport, under an awning, or under a cover.
If the overhang is made of flammable materials, such as wood, a vent hood may be required. You may need to address this specification with your local building codes and insurance needs.
Is it better to use a natural gas grill or a propane grill?
But wait, you say, you just claimed natural gas was greener, which I agree with, but…
Natural gas creates less CO2 per unit, whereas propane gas generates more heat and energy per unit. Because it burns hotter, many people believe it has a more authentic grill flavor and experience than natural gas.
Because more gas must be burned per minute to produce the same heat as propane, a natural gas grill will have broader ports, allowing the flow of gas to be faster.
Is it true that all propane gas regulators are the same?
Please keep in mind that Propane gas cylinders have a far higher pressure than Butane cylinders, therefore regulators are built for either Propane or Butane and are not interchangeable due to the difference design pressures and cylinder connections.
Is a regulator required on my propane hose?
Yes. If you have a propane tank, a decent propane regulator is essential, especially if you want to avoid a gas tank explosion.
Also, if your propane regulator isn’t working properly, your propane tank won’t be able to send fuel to your RV appliances. It is, in essence, the most critical component of your propane system.
You’ll need a propane regulator for your RV, and having a spare on hand is a good idea. They’re not difficult to install and are relatively inexpensive (about $25).
Is gas less expensive than electricity?
In general, gas is a less expensive energy source than electricity. Home appliances that run on gas are often less expensive to operate than those that run on electricity.
While the cost of purchasing and installing gas appliances may be more up front, homeowners who choose gas-powered appliances will save money on their utility bills in the long term.