Natural gas and propane hookups
A standby generator is only as reliable as its fuel supply. Here's what goes into the gas side of the job.
Standby generators run on natural gas from the utility or on propane stored in a tank on your property. Both are piped to the unit, so there's no refueling by hand during an outage. Which one you use usually depends on whether a gas main reaches your street.
Natural gas
- Supply is continuous as long as the gas system is operating, so run time isn't limited by a tank
- Your existing gas meter may not be large enough to run the generator plus your furnace, water heater and range at once; the installer checks this and, if needed, the gas utility upgrades the meter
- Pipe size depends on the distance from the meter and the generator's fuel demand
Propane
- Common in rural Pender and Brunswick County and anywhere without a gas main
- Run time depends on the tank size and how full it is, so ask the installer how many days your tank would last at typical load
- Tanks may be above ground or buried, and have placement rules relative to the house, property lines and the generator
- Keep the tank filled going into hurricane season; delivery trucks may not reach you for days after a storm
Flooding and fuel tanks
FEMA guidance on backup power fuel systems says tanks must be anchored to resist flotation, because a partly empty tank in floodwater can lift and break its connections. If your lot is in a flood zone, ask how the tank and piping will be secured and elevated.
Who can do the gas work?
In North Carolina, fuel piping is licensed by the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors, which issues a specific fuel piping license. The gas line is inspected before the system is put into service.
The installer prices the job after learning about your house, your electrical panel and your fuel supply, and usually after a site visit. We don't quote prices, and any figure given over the phone is only a rough starting point until someone has seen the property.
Where we connect you with help
- Wilmington
- Carolina Beach and Kure Beach
- Leland and northern Brunswick County
- Hampstead and Pender County
Common questions
Is natural gas or propane better for a generator?
Natural gas is convenient where it's available because it doesn't run out. Propane works anywhere but depends on tank size and deliveries. Ask about run time for your setup.
Will my gas meter need to be upgraded?
Sometimes. Generators use a lot of fuel at full load, so the installer compares your total gas demand to the meter's capacity and coordinates with the utility if it's too small.
Related services
More background: Wilmington standby generator guide.
Tired of losing power every time a storm rolls up the Cape Fear?
Call and a local installer will talk through what a standby generator would take at your house.