Phil :
According to a web site I found, a kWh is .034 US therm, so to buy a
therm of electricity would cost you $.0635/.034 = $1.87, almost 4 times
the price of natural gas. However, many utility companies will give you
a 'volume discount' for having electric heat, which might get it down to
"only" 3:1. And, the increased efficiency of electric heat (none of the
heat goes up the flue) might get the true cost down to maybe 2.5:1. I'd
still go for the gas <g>
I believe the correct pipe for underground natural gas is a specially
coated black iron, but I would strongly suggest that you contact someone
who is familiar with the building codes in your area. If you live
inside the city limits, it will probably be the city's building
inspector's office. Otherwise it will be some county or state office.
They will know what pipe to use, how deep it must be buried, etc.
Otherwise, you run the risk of getting in trouble with your insurance
company, and/or the local government, if there should ever be a problem
(even if it's not your plumbing's fault).
I believe Harbor Freight sells a pipe threading set for $30-40. It
should be adequate for occasional use.
Randall
Phil Ethier wrote:
>
> Before the summer fades, I need to get some heat figured out for my shop.
>
> First, I want to make sure that natural gas is really much cheaper than
> electric before I commit. My gut feeling is that natural gas IS much
> cheaper than electric heat here in Saint Paul. Both gas and electricity are
> supplied by the regulated utility NSP. I have a recent bill here which
> gives the rates as:
>
> $.0635 per kwh for electricity. I presume this to mean 6.35 cents per
> Kilowatt*hour.
>
> $.47727 per therm for gas. What the heck is a "therm"?
>
> It looks like a therm is some sort of heat-content measurement. A therm
> seems pretty close to a CCF (hundreds of cubic feet), but there is a
> variable conversion factor which seems to hover around 1.025 or so. For
> instance, one month I used 63 CCF and they called it 65 therms.
>
> Anyway, can one of you folks who is hip to heat compare the cost of electric
> to gas in my market with this data?
>
> Second question:
>
> Assuming I go with natural gas, I will need to run a gas line from the house
> to the garage. The buildings are 12.5 feet apart. There is a full
> concrete-block basement under the house. The garage is built on a slab.
> The garage builder has provided me with a hole in the slab under the singe
> course of concrete block and a matching hole in the treated-lumber sill
> plate which sits atop the concrete block.
>
> I assume I must dig a trench, punch a hole through the basement wall, and
> run a line underground to the slab, and thence up into the insulated wall.
> The line would leave the wall to go to a direct-vent (both combustion air
> and exhaust go through the wall to the outside) heater hanging from the
> ceiling. I understand that the powers-that-be don't want a floor-level gas
> heater in a garage.
>
> What material should I use for the gas line? I don't want it to rot or rust
> or break, obviously.
>
> Black pipe? I don't have a threader, and I am concerned also that this will
> rust underground.
>
> Galvanized pipe? I am told this is a no-no for some dangerous
> chemical-reaction reason.
>
> Plastic? Special kind for gas, I suppose.
>
> Copper? Can you use copper and sweat-solder the fittings?
>
> Phil Ethier Saint Paul Minnesota USA
> Lotus Europa, VW Quantum Syncro, Chev Suburban
> LOON, TCVWC, MAC
> pethier@isd.net http://www.visi.com/mac/
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