Running a gas line

[bdog]

We are have a pool with a hot tub built. We thought propane was out only option to heat it as our house does not have gas service and the gas company wanted 20k to bring it to us as it was a long way from their line. To get to us they would have had to go roughly a half mile.

We just bought, well we close on Friday, on five acres that adjoins our property and the far corner of this property is about 200 from an existing gas meter so I think I can get gas to this five acres fairly cheaply. From there it is about a 1,000 run to my house. I assume I can get the meter set and then just run a private line to my house. I think they make poly line in 500 rolls.

Anything special I need to know about doing this? I am planning on doing the trenching and installing the line myself, leaving the ends exposed, and having the guys doing the gas work for the pool make the actual connections. Is it as simple as it seems? I have never fooled with gas before.

 

[Roadworthy]

You may wish to consult with the gas company crew to see if they WILL connect to your private line and whether it meets their codes. At the very least they will probably have a specific required depth and may want to inspect the line before it's covered.

 

[4570Man]

You may wish to consult with the gas company crew to see if they WILL connect to your private line and whether it meets their codes. At the very least they will probably have a specific required depth and may want to inspect the line before it's covered.

They only burry the secondary house service line about a foot deep in my area.

 

[RNeumann]

The main issue is sizing the line. You will calc the BTUs needed and the distance and size from there. I’m guessing with a pool, house and bbq etc on the line you will be close to 1 1/2”. The size is so big because the meter reduces the pressure down to about 1/2psi. Code also requires a tracer wire and some require in ground marking.

The pipe size will make working with it tough for one person.

 

[tjkubota93]

You can buy stab in connectors for the poly pipe. Very easy.

Here, code requires an air pressure test on a gas line.

 

[bdog]

Thanks. I have a call into the gas company to see the costs of putting a meter there and will explain to them what I want to do and get their thoughts on it. The calculations I have done say I need a 2 line. I plan to rig up something to unspool it with my skid steer and I have four employees who can help. I have watched crews lay similar sized poly flow lines in the oilfield.

 

[D2Cat]

After you get all the facts in you may decide the propane tank set out of the way is the answer. Around here the propane company will often provide 35' of line and hookup for a set cost and if you need more length add a reasonable fee. You can purchase or lease a tank for $60-$75 a year, and propane is selling at $1.40, but had summer fill for .92 a gallon. Plant some shrubbery around it and call it good.

Digging 1200', material cost, meter hookup, possible maintenance over time?

 

[deserteagle71]

After you get all the facts in you may decide the propane tank set out of the way is the answer. Around here the propane company will often provide 35' of line and hookup for a set cost and if you need more length add a reasonable fee. You can purchase or lease a tank for $60-$75 a year, and propane is selling at $1.40, but had summer fill for .92 a gallon. Plant some shrubbery around it and call it good.

Digging 1200', material cost, meter hookup, possible maintenance over time?

Maybe in your location in Kansas. Around here propane tank rental runs $120 per year for a 320 gallon tank and the cheapest I've ever been able to get propane for is $2.55 a gallon. If they fill it in December or January it will be $4 a gallon.

Just tonight on the local news from Reno they reported that average gasoline prices in northern Nevada were running ~ $1 a gallon more than the average US price of $2.60 a gallon.

 

[bdog]

My main concern with the propane tank is running out when least expected. Our house is all electric so this is just for the backyard but the pool/hot tub have a 400k btu heater, we will have a gas fire pit, fire bowls, etc. I think we will empty the tank fairly quickly during peak times.


I may be mistaken but I think natural gas is a lot cheaper than propane too? The trenching I can do myself I have a skid steer mounted trencher and it is easy digging. No rocks here. Heck my neighbor has dug down a low spot on his property to increase runoff storage capacity and reduce flooding fifty feet deep and hasn稚 hit a rock yet. The pipe will cost me about $1000.

I have not crunched the numbers yet but my pool guy said he has installed a lot of both propane and natural gas and if we can get the gas setup for under 5k we would be money ahead doing so.

 

[Cat_Driver]

My main concern with the propane tank is running out when least expected. Our house is all electric so this is just for the backyard but the pool/hot tub have a 400k btu heater, we will have a gas fire pit, fire bowls, etc. I think we will empty the tank fairly quickly during peak times.


I may be mistaken but I think natural gas is a lot cheaper than propane too? The trenching I can do myself I have a skid steer mounted trencher and it is easy digging. No rocks here. Heck my neighbor has dug down a low spot on his property to increase runoff storage capacity and reduce flooding fifty feet deep and hasn稚 hit a rock yet. The pipe will cost me about $1000.

I have not crunched the numbers yet but my pool guy said he has installed a lot of both propane and natural gas and if we can get the gas setup for under 5k we would be money ahead doing so.

Yes it is that simple. get requirements from gas company, dig the trench, have them inspect, bury and have them connect