Ive read many comparisons between propane and natural gas, but had a
question that i havent found answered anywhere yet.

i am in the process of purchasing a building in massachusetts. it
currently has three propane tanks which provide the fuel for the
heating systems. i am converting the building into loft spaces for
living - the project is large and i am phasing it - in the first
phase, i would like to just use the existing propane tanks as fuel but
eventually, in a later phase, convert to natural gas.

my question is, will the system installed to heat the spaces with
propane (ie piping, meters, boilers, etc) be easily converted to
natural gas at a later date?

for example, will the piping run through the building for propane work
for natural gas as well, or is different diameter or type piping
required?

as for the boilers, it sounds like propane boilers are easily
converted to natural gas, but what about the meters?

any input would be appreciated!

"evangelion" wrote in message
my question is, will the system installed to heat the spaces with
propane (ie piping, meters, boilers, etc) be easily converted to
natural gas at a later date?


for example, will the piping run through the building for propane work
for natural gas as well, or is different diameter or type piping
required?

Depends on what is installed now. It may or may not work. I can't see it
from here. You'd have to size out each appliance for the gas. There are
charts available if you do a Google search on gas pipe sizing.



as for the boilers, it sounds like propane boilers are easily
converted to natural gas, but what about the meters?

The gas compnay will convert the meters for you, unless you are doing your
own sub-dividing after the main meter.

Before you do anything, are you sure thee is natural gas available at
reasonable cost? If I want to have it to my house, it is $20,000+ to extend
the main. Usually, people go with NG if it is readily available, propane if
it is not.

Natural gas has fewer BTUs than propane, if the boilers were sized
close to the needed capacity for greates propane fuel economy you may
have a problem.

have some local contrators check out your current system.

call natural gas supplier their local lines may not be large enough to
support your building

on the other hand they may offer incentives to convert, dont know till
you call

Propane works on higher pressures than natural gas therefore the pipes will
need to be larger for NG than Propane. The meters belong to the gas utility,
so some piping work around will be needed for both supplies and the
switchover. You really need to talk to the gas utility if you plan to use
them eventually.


"evangelion" wrote in message
oups.com...
Ive read many comparisons between propane and natural gas, but had a
question that i havent found answered anywhere yet.

i am in the process of purchasing a building in massachusetts. it
currently has three propane tanks which provide the fuel for the
heating systems. i am converting the building into loft spaces for
living - the project is large and i am phasing it - in the first
phase, i would like to just use the existing propane tanks as fuel but
eventually, in a later phase, convert to natural gas.

my question is, will the system installed to heat the spaces with
propane (ie piping, meters, boilers, etc) be easily converted to
natural gas at a later date?

for example, will the piping run through the building for propane work
for natural gas as well, or is different diameter or type piping
required?

as for the boilers, it sounds like propane boilers are easily
converted to natural gas, but what about the meters?

any input would be appreciated!