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Frequently Asked Questions - Converting to Natural Gas
Following are the answers to some questions that are asked quite often.
If they don't hit on what you need to know, or if you'd like further information,
contact us.
- Are there any standards my home must meet before I can convert to natural
gas?
- There are 10 structural energy standards mandated by the Public Service
Commission of Wisconsin that must be met before converting to natural gas. Most
homes already meet these standards; if yours doesn't, Public Service will
recommend ways to help you achieve them.
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- I would like to convert my mobile home to natural gas. Do the structural
standards apply?
- Mobile homes are not required to meet any structural standards before
converting to natural gas. However, natural gas furnaces and water heaters must
be approved for mobile home installation.
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- Are there special requirements for installing a gas meter on my mobile
home?
- When connecting a mobile home to natural gas, the piping connection from the
gas meter to the home must be a flexible connector no more than six feet in
length. The flexible connector used by your contractor must meet American Gas
Association (AGA) requirements.
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- Should I call Diggers Hotline before Public Service installs my gas line?
- No, Public Service will call Diggers Hotline. Diggers Hotline will then
locate all utility and municipal underground utilities within 3 business days
of the request. The homeowner will be responsible to locate all private
facilities, such as underground sprinkler lines, septic systems, drain fields,
etc.
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- Can I have my gas meter installed anywhere on my building?
- The meter location should minimize the cost of connecting the house piping
to the meter. Therefore, we recommend locating the meter along the building wall
that faces the road where the gas main is located. There are also code
requirements in regard to the location of your gas meter from windows, exhaust
outlets or fresh air intake areas. Additionally, your gas meter needs to be a
least 3-5 feet from the electric meter. Public Service will work with you to
determine the best meter location.
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- If there is a gas main on the road in front of my building, how much will
it cost to install natural gas to my building?
- This would require installing a gas service line from the main to your
building. An allowance may cover some or all of the costs of installing natural
gas. However various factors such as excess footage, permits and boring under or
around obstacles could all impact the cost of the gas installation.
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- What is included in the gas service line installation?
- Public Service installs the service line from the gas main to the location
at the house and then connects the gas meter on the outside of the structure.
The gas piping that extends from the gas meter to the house or any other
building, gas grill, pool heater, etc., is the responsibility of the building
owner.
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- Are there additional costs if the gas main is located on the opposite side
of the road?
- For typical installations, the costs are determined from the customer's lot
line. However, excess footage, permits or winter construction charges can alter
the costs.
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- If a natural gas main is not currently located on my road, how much will it
cost to install gas?
- This would require extending a gas main along the road in front of your
building and then installing a service line to your building. The cost of
extending the gas pipeline is determined by the length of the extension, an
allowance and other factors.
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- Can I share the cost of extending the gas main with my neighbors?
- You can pay to have the gas main extended to your property. Then, if there
are neighbors who hook onto that extension within a 5-year period, you will
receive a credit back for each service that is hooked up.
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- What is the cost comparison of oil, LP, or electric to natural gas?
- Wisconsin Public Service's Web site offers natural
gas savings calculators, which can calculate your potential savings by
switching to natural gas.
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- Am I responsible for any lawn damage that occurs as a result of the gas
service line installation?
- The area between the property line and the road (the right-of-way) will
be restored with black dirt and seed or gravel. You will be responsible for
restoring the area from the property line at the road to the house.
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- Can Public Service install gas piping to my appliances?
- No. You must contact a heating or plumbing contractor to install gas piping
to your appliances.
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- Once I apply for gas service, how long will it take to have it installed?
- A typical installation is approximately one month from the date of the
request. However, the timeline can vary depending upon on a number of factors,
including the time of year, number of requests, equipment availability and
weather conditions. It is always important to schedule early for your service
installation.
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