East Bay Gas Lines Danville - Making gas connections to steel gas pipe

 

Make connections to steel gas pipe

Older houses often have threaded steel gas pipe. If your old appliance is connected with a steel pipe and you're installing a new appliance, buy a gas appliance connecting kit and replace the steel pipe with the flexible stainless steel tube. But remember, you can't connect the flare fitting on the flexible gas line directly to a steel pipe thread. You have to install the flare fitting that's included with the kit.

Also replace old-style gas valves (photo below) with modern ball valves that are labeled for use with gas. Before you replace an old valve, you'll have to find and turn off the main gas valve to the house. It's usually located near where the gas line enters the house. When you turn the gas back on, remember to check all your gas appliances to see if they have pilot lights that need relighting.

The photo shows how to use common plumbing parts to join a new ball valve and a flexible stainless steel connector to steel pipe. Coat all threaded pipe connections with pipe thread compound before assembly. The valve shown has 1/2-in. female pipe threads on both sides. If necessary, use a bushing to reduce the existing 3/4-in. female pipe thread to 1/2 in. Use a 90-degree elbow at the stove to avoid kinking the gas tubing when you push the stove against the wall.

 

Steel pipe gas connections

Proper Connections to Steel Pipe

Use the fittings shown for safe connections.

 

Old style gas valve

Old-style gas valves can leak. Replace them with approved ball valves.

source: http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Plumbing/Plumbing-Skills/how-to-connect-gas-pipe-lines/View-All#step1

 

http://www.eastbaygaslines.com

 

East Bay Gas Lines - Most Expensive Grilling Products Ever

Most Expensive Grilling Products Ever

Whether it's a stainless steel free-stander the size of a Ford F-150, or a complete outdoor kitchen with the beer bar built right in, some men measure each other's mettle simply by the quality of their backyard equipment

Keith PandolfiThis Old House online

 

Worth the Money

 

Men—like boys—love to show off their toys. From their perfectly polished Porsches to their plasma-screen televisions, nothing pleases guys more than keeping up with the Joneses—except outdoing and humiliating them as well. This is especially true when it comes to their grills. Whether it's a stainless steel free-stander the size of a Ford F-150, or a complete outdoor kitchen with the beer bar built right in, some men measure each other's mettle simply by the quality of their backyard equipment. With that in mind, we thought we'd show you the best lip-smackin', bank-breakin' barbecue products in the world.

 

Lynx Power Burner

 

 

About $1,775

Sometimes burgers and dogs just aren't enough to satiate your friends and neighbors. So how about cooking up a pot of chili, or some red beans and rice as a side dish? Or, heck, deep fry an entire turkey for that matter. This bad boy 46,000 BTU burner is big enough to accommodate a fat stock pot. Or, if you'd like to add some international flavor to your backyard, you can remove the center grate and slap down a commercial-grade wok. 

 

Backwoods Competitor

 

 

About $2,900

Sure it was designed for professional barbecue contests, but the Backwoods Competitor is also perfect for the man who likes to entertain the masses. This stout and smoke-stacked machine, which looks fittingly like a safe where one would store precious valuables, can cook a half dozen one pound turkeys, or 32 slabs of baby back ribs all at once. And what's more valuable than that?

 

Artisan Outdoor Pizza Oven

 

 

 

About $6,500

Say goodbye to Papa John's once and for all. This stainless steel pizza oven will fire up a thin-crust pizza in just five minutes right in your own back yard, and the heat can be adjusted to cook the pie of your choosing—from Chicago deep dish to Neapolitan. With all that money you save on ordering pizza, this $6.5K machine will pay for itself in—well—never, really. But your neighbors will think you're cool.

 

Kalamazoo 900 Series Hybrid Grill

 

 

 

About $15,900

Don't be surprised if you end up parking this stainless steel beauty in the driveway and Turtle-Waxing her like a 1936 Bugatti. The Kalamazoo 900 has 144,000 BTUs of cooking power—that's more power than most home furnaces, by the way. It's also got 864-square-inches of grilling area, and (best of all) cooks with charcoal, gas, and even wood.

 

 

 BBQ Concession Shed with Log Cabin Kitchen

 

Starting at about $24,650

Wanna make barbecuing into more of a profession than a pastime? This concession trailer from Southern Yankee Bar-B-Q could serve as your own small business—or at least a terrific tailgating tool. It comes with an 8-by-8-foot kitchen equipped with a fridge, sinks, and storage, as well as central AC, and some heavy-metal-worthy stereo speakers.

 

 

source; Keith PandolfiThis Old House online

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20369275_20784793,00.html

 

http://www.eastbaygaslines.com

 

 

 

East Bay Gas Lines Danville - All About Gas Fireplaces

 

 

There's only one thing better than a roaring fire on a wintry night: a roaring fire that needs no tending, requires minimal cleanup, and doesn't leave the rest of the house freezing cold. That's what you get with today's gas fireplaces. Long gone are the anemic blue flames and unconvincing "logs." Modern versions burn much more realistically, with glowing red embers and tall orange-yellow flames that dance and flicker around ceramic-fiber logs molded from the real thing.

Gas fireplaces come in three types: inserts, for folks who want to retrofit a wood-burning firebox with something more convenient and efficient; built-ins, for those who want a fireplace where there isn't one now; and log sets, basic burners that sit in existing, open fireplaces. Both inserts and built-in fireplaces are reliable heat producers, filling your room with a mix of warm air and radiant heat. Log sets are usually more for looks than warmth. With each type, you have a choice between models that vent the flames' fumes outside or vent-free versions that discharge all their heat, and exhaust, into the house. 

How much do they cost?
Expect to pay $2,000 to $5,000 (including installation) for a heat-producing insert or built-in fireplace. Decorative log sets run about $400 to $1,000.

Natural gas or propane?
Gas fireplaces can burn either type. Natural gas is less expensive and produces about 5 percent more heat. Choose propane where natural gas isn't available.

DIY or hire a pro?
For the safest, most efficient, and best-looking installation, leave the work to a local National Fireplace Institute-certified technician.

How much care?
For about $150, have your certified technician come once a year to clean and adjust the burner, ensuring that you have realistic, soot-free flames.

How many Btus?
A gas fireplace's heat output, in Btus, should match your room size, climate, and your house's insulation level.

Why Choose Gas?

 

Wood-burning fireplaces provide great ambience, but they can't beat the easy, no-fuss efficiency of gas.

• You don't have to split, stack, season, or haul logs.
• There are no ashes to bag, no smoky smells, no chimney to clean.
• You can start, adjust, and snuff out fires with the touch of a remote control.
• The fire needs no tending and won't die out from neglect.
• A wall thermostat can control the flame size—and therefore heat output—to maintain a specific temperature setting in the room.
• The fixed glass panels covering direct-vent fireboxes ensure that the furnace- or boiler-heated air in the rest of the house doesn't escape up the flue, as it does with a wood fire.
• You can get as much as 75 to 99 percent of a fuel's energy back as heat, instead of the 10 to 30 percent for wood fires.
• Gas fireplaces can go almost anywhere—in an upstairs bathroom, in a basement, or outdoors—without needing a chimney.

What to look for-

These upgrades enhance a fireplace's convenience, comfort, and good looks.

1. Variable-flame height adjustment. Allows you to dial in just the amount of heat you need, from a whisper of a flame to a roaring fire. (The best units adjust down to 30 percent of full output).

2. Wall-thermostat control. Automatically adjusts the fireplace's heat output to the temperature that you set manually or with a handheld remote.

3. Electronic ignition. Eliminates the need for a pilot light, saving up to $10 a month in fuel.

4. LED accent lighting. Adds a realistic flickering effect inside the firebox.

5. Battery backup. Ensures the fireplace will light during a power outage.

6. Built-in fan. Pulls indoor air into the space behind the firebox and pumps hot air out, heating a room in a hurry.

How Much Fire Power Do You Need?

 

Gas fireplaces have a wide range of heat output, from about 7,000 to 60,000 Btus. Use this formula to determine which models generate enough heat to warm your room. The formula assumes that your house is well insulated and has tight windows, and that you like the temperature set at 72 degrees F.

By JOSH GARSKOFTHIS OLD HOUSE MAGAZINE

Source: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20431996_20859244,00.html

East Bay Gas Lines Danville - Winter Gas Saving Tips

A few small changes can add up to a whole lot of savings. Use PGE’s online Progress Tracker to keep track of your gas usage. Reduce your gas usage throughout December and January and you could get up to a 20% bonus credit on your PG&E bill.

See below for a whole range of ways to lower your gas costs in the “tips” section below.

·         Lower the thermostat by 1° F (if it’s set between 60° and 70°F) and you can save as much as 5 % on heating costs.

·         In the winter, open your window coverings on sunny days to help warm the rooms.

·         Save on heating costs. Keeping your thermostat set at 68º F during the daytime and 55º F at night can reduce your heating costs by up to 20%.

·         Dishwashers with booster heaters will let you lower the water temperature on your water heater, resulting in energy savings.

·         Wrap older water heaters with an insulating jacket to minimize excess heat loss. And, don’t forget to leave the air intake vent uncovered when insulating a gas water heater. Savings of up to 10% can be achieved on water heating costs.

·         In the winter, reverse your ceiling fan motor to produce an updraft that forces warm air near the ceiling down into your working space.

·         Properly sealing and insulating your business can save you up to 20% on heating costs

·         Replacing your old windows with high-efficiency ENERGY STAR® windows can reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 15%

·         Have a licensed HVAC contractor check your central heating/cooling duct system for leaks. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating system by as much as 20% — and sometimes much more.

·         Replace your pre-1977 gas furnace (probably 50-60 percent efficient) with the most efficient model and you could cut your natural gas use by up to 33%.

source: http://www.pge.com/myhome/saveenergymoney/wintersavings/

Gas Line Work East Bay - How to Read Your Gas Meter - East Bay Gas Lines Danville

 How to read your gas meter

Your gas meter tells us how much gas you’ve used and helps us to give you accurate energy bills. Reading your gas meter is easy once you know how. Use our simple instructions to find out how your gas meter works.

Imperial meters

If your meter measures in cubic feet (ft3) the display panel will show four digits before the decimal point.

Metric meter

If your meter measures in cubic metres (m3) the display panel will show five digits before the decimal point.

Digital meter 

If you have a digital meter please remember the following points when you take a reading:

Record main digits only – main digits will be shown in black on a white background, or in white on a black background

Ignore red digits

Ignore digits inside a red border

Ignore printed zeros – 0

Ignore any numbers after a decimal point

For example, the reading for the digital meter shown below should be recorded as 6653.

Dial meter

If you have a dial meter, please remember the following points when you take a reading:

Adjacent dials rotate in opposite directions

Ignore dials marked ‘100 per rev’ and the large dial

Ignore red dials

Read the other dials from left to right; write down the number that the hand has passed

If the pointer falls between two figures, write down the lower figure. If the pointer falls between 9 and 0, write down 9

For example, the reading for the dial meter shown above should be recorded as 6653.

source: http://www.edfenergy.com/products-services/for-your-home/my-account/how-to-read-your-gas-meter.shtml

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East Bay Gas Lines - Natural Gas: Earth and Sky Friendly

Natural Gas: Earth and Sky Friendly

Natural gas – the ultimate “alternative” fuel of the future? Yes, the same natural gas first commercially used in the United States in western New York in the early 19th century. When it comes to dealing with issues surrounding pollution and the environment, carbon management and energy security, natural gas is part of the solution, not part of the problem. Yes, natural gas is a “fossil fuel.” But natural gas is far more environmentally attractive than oil, coal, and electricity produced with fossil fuels. Of the major sources of energy in the United States, natural gas is the cleanest, most efficient, cost effective, and abundant, producing less pollution and fewer greenhouse gasses than its counterparts.

Source: Energy Information Administration: Fuel and Energy Codes and Emission Coefficients

Fewer Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

The primary byproducts of burning natural gas are carbon dioxide and water. But natural gas produces LESS carbon dioxide than other commonly used energy sources. According to the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA), natural gas emits 45 percent LESS CO2 than electricity and nearly 30 percent LESS CO2 than fuel oil. In fact, the U.S. is now a world leader in carbon reductions, having reduced carbon emissions by 7.7% since 2006, the equivalent of removing 84 million cars from the road. As acknowledged by the chief economist for the International Energy Agency, the replacement of coal by shale gas was a key factor driving the carbon emission reductions in the U.S.

Cleaner:

Natural gas generates less sulfur dioxide (a cause of acid rain), less nitrogen oxides (that can produce smog) and less particulate matter than oil or coal, which is primarily used for electric generation. The cleanliness of gas means that not only does it produce less pollution, but also environmental controls on gas equipment are usually much less expensive than for other fuels. Additionally, technological progress allows cleaner energy production today than in the past. Natural gas use means cleaner air whether used for home space heating, water heating, cooking, clothes drying, and in the case of natural gas vehicles, cars, trucks, buses, and commercial and industrial processes.

Pounds of Air Pollutants per Billion Btus of Energy
POLLUTANT	NATURAL GAS	OIL	COAL
Carbon Dioxide	117,000	164,000	208,000
Carbon Monoxide	40	33	208
Nitrogen Oxides	92	448	457
Sulfur Dioxide	1	1,122	2,591
Particulates	7	84	2,744
Mercury	0.0000	0.0007	0.016

Source: Energy Information Administration

More Efficient:

Natural gas appliances are more energy efficient than their electric counterparts, and natural gas users thus conserve energy resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the American Gas Association (AGA), while the number of natural gas residential customers increased 71 percent since 1970, the average customer today uses 39 percent less natural gas than they did 38 years ago. By using energy wisely, weatherizing homes, using energy-efficient appliances and installing programmable thermostats, customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

source: http://www.nationalfuelgas.com/natural_gas_environment.aspx


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East Bay Gas Lines - YOU'RE ALWAYS COMFORTABLE WITH NATURAL GAS RANGES & COOKTOPS... - East Bay Gas Lines Danville

YOU'RE ALWAYS COMFORTABLE WITH
NATURAL GAS RANGES & COOKTOPS...

Nothing compares with natural gas for cooking. There's a wide selection of natural gas cooktops, ovens and ranges with all kinds of special features for cooking convenience. And, you can cook even when the electricity goes out, since you can light the cooktop burners with a match if needed. Consider all the benefits and it's no wonder most professional American chefs prefer natural gas.

Whether you need a cooktop or range, there's a natural gas unit to fit perfectly with your kitchen plan. Free-standing ranges come in a variety of sizes, including apartment-size, and offer a variety of options including combination oven/broiler, cooking surfaces with four to six burners, and the ability to convert burners to a griddle, grill or work surface. These options are also available in the slide-in ranges. Slide-in ranges are available in several widths.

Superior natural gas features mean superior results!

• Maximum heat in an instant
• Instant cool-down - cooking stops the instant you turn off the natural gas flame, unlike an electric element that keeps cooking as it cools down.
• Precise temperature control
• Greater cooktop flexibility, since the adjustable flame makes every burner suitable for any pan size and any type of cooking that is being done
• Faster, more even cooking with the open flame
• Easy clean-up, since all grates, knobs and burners are dishwasher safe
• Optional sealed-surface cooktops for easy cleaning
• Clean, smoke-free broiling
• Pilotless ignition
• Automatic igniters instead of standing pilots for higher efficiency
• Cooktop burners that can be lit with a match, so you can cook even when electricity goes out.

Cooking with natural gas is more economical - in fact, it costs about half as much as cooking with electricity. You'll enjoy long-term saving built in to natural gas cooking appliances, such as extra insulation which makes self-cleaning ovens more energy efficient and pilotless ignition systems that uses 40 percent less natural gas for cooking than older models with standing pilots. And, natural gas cooktops and grates are built to last, with fewer parts to fail than electric appliances.

source:  http://www.okaloosagas.com/cooking.aspx

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