Need Help.... Propane Supplier Problem.

[charlz]

Amerigas bought our propane company as well. My tank is leased and I heat with pellets, only the kitchen stove uses propane other than when I need to run the furnace in really cold weather. I am waiting to start getting some additional charges for 'low use' etc.

If I had NG available I would hook up to it in a heartbeat. The propane you have now should run the grill for the next 50 years just padlock it and never get another fill!

 

[ovrszd]

Sorry you are having these problems. God, I'm glad I live where I do.

 

[dave1949]

Since changing over to an electric water heater, we don't need much propane sitting around. So, last summer I had the propane company remove one of their two 120 gal. tanks.

After removing the second tank, the technician did a quick leak test, and found a leak which turned out to be in a fitting inside the garage. It had probably been leaking since it was installed in 2006 when we built. He cut back the line and re-did the connection, no charge.

The company is Downeast Energy, which began life as Brunswick Coal in 1908 selling coal and firewood in Brunswick, Maine. Now they are owned by an Oklahoma outfit.

 

[ultrarunner]

If I had NG available I would hook up to it in a heartbeat. The propane you have now should run the grill for the next 50 years just padlock it and never get another fill!

I talked to the city inspector and was told I would have to choose... sounds like the propane tank would have to go if I get Natuaral Gas.

I guess it would depend on how well I make my case of have a 1000 gallon tank for the BBQ

 

[aczlan]

I guess it would depend on how well I make my case of have a 1000 gallon tank for the BBQ

Or the backup generator...

Aaron Z

 

[savageactor7]

Sounds like a hardship I know but the gas companies have their legal requirements their obligated to enforce.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Sounds like a hardship I know but the gas companies have their legal requirements their obligated to enforce.

I doubt they are legally able to come on your property, top up a 1000 gal. tank with 140 gallons without authorization, turn off your gas after filling your tank and all the other things that they did. Unless they discovered a leaking pipe or the tank itself was leaking(in which case why fill it up) LEGALLY all they can do is refuse to sell you propane.
In the same sense of things, do you think a service station could legally confiscate your car because of a malfunctioning o2 sensor or missing gas cap or other such items that were not properly working. The propane company is doing basically the same thing.

 

[ultrarunner]

The office manager basically said the pressure test is to protect the Propane Company.

The General Manager said it is company policy.

The City Building Department said there is no city requirement to check the house when a propane tank is serviced.

City only requires a house pressure check if gas piping has been altered or damaged.

 

[charlz]

A note to the State Attorney General probably won't go anywhere but probably worth doing. A call to whatever local "News on your side" might.... are they requiring expensive 'upgrades' and 'fixes' that really aren't necessary.... inquiring minds want to know.... They might run a piece about it and bring some (unwanted by the propane company) attention.

 

[k0ua]

I would be hooking up to the NG as quickly as possible.

That said, I would love to have your 1000 gal tank, could you please email it to me?

We were told NG would come by here some day, and I am planning on hooking up to it the first day it is available.

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

in Ontario, the gas supplier, be it NG or LP, is required by law to, every 10 years, inspect & certify safe all gas piping & gas appliances. In the 24 years we've been on propane, we've changed suppliers twice, each time the tech had to do leak tests & inspect each appliance. If they find a hazardous condition that can't be immediately rectified, they will turn off & lock the gas supply, to the appliance or the whole house depending on the problem, until it is fixed.
And yes, sure wish they'd run NG up our road.

Pete

 

[ultrarunner]

in Ontario, the gas supplier, be it NG or LP, is required by law to, every 10 years, inspect & certify safe all gas piping & gas appliances. In the 24 years we've been on propane, we've changed suppliers twice, each time the tech had to do leak tests & inspect each appliance. If they find a hazardous condition that can't be immediately rectified, they will turn off & lock the gas supply, to the appliance or the whole house depending on the problem, until it is fixed.
And yes, sure wish they'd run NG up our road.

Pete

Could be a real problem if it happened in the dead of winter and the owner was hundreds of miles away...

This is why I will not send a key to the gas company as requested.

Funny thing here in the SF Bay Area is contractors or utilities will refuse to enter a home unless owner or representative is present... they also cite liability?

 

[ultrarunner]

Update...

Southwest Natural Gas supplier quoted $1400 for hookup. They no longer offer free hookup or appliance conversion.

In addition I would need to reconfigure piping, permit and convert existing propane appliances.

I use about $1000 in propane last year at $3.60 a gallon and have a 1000 gallon tank at 80%

Looks like it would take years to recoup the conversion cost.

 

[Redbug]

I think the two best businesses to get into for easy profits and a willing supply of victims would be a Speedy Cash, (bring in your car title), or propane company.

I have propane and NG will never be run down my road. When my gas pack conks out...the next unit will be a AC/heat pump.