Yea...that is what I figured. However, even if I pay 15 cents more per gallon per fill......at least you are doing it at your convenience as opposed to monthly. I'm sure they would still charge you something even if they came out to your tank once a month and found it full. Basically, the only way it makes sense for the customer is if it is used year around which many people in NC won't do.
We use gas for heating, gas logs and dryer, so we need them to come out on a regular basis, in fact they just came the other week so we'd be ready for cooler weather. But we pay mthly, usually less than $50 a month. It went up for awhile last yr when the price of gas went sky high! But I like that better than being hit with a $300-400 whenever they'd come out - and wasn't prepared to pay. Its an estimated thing kinda like Progress Energy.
We priced out propane last fall when we bought our house. We have two gas fireplaces. We ultimately decided to purchase the 100 lb tank and get it filled ourselves. The tank, cement and all connector stuff cost us about $150 total. TR Lee will come out and fill a tank that size for a $15 delivery fee, but we just take the tank and get it filled at one of the stations on 42. Based on last winter, when it was really cold and we used the fireplaces a ton, we have to fill up 1-2 times per year (depending on how often we use it in the summer with the grill, which does require an adapter). Our last refill cost $57.65 after tax, which ended up being about $2.50 per gallon. We figure we saved all the installation fees and the cost of the tank is less than two years worth of rental fees, which we'd end up paying, since we'll only use the fireplaces for about two months out of the year. I'm guessing prices have changed some, but here's what I was quoted: I called AmeriGas and FerrellGas on 11/19/08. First, both people I spoke to acted like it was a HUGE inconvenience to give me any information. If this is what I can expect as customer service from these places, I'd rather pay higher prices. AmeriGas (the Smithfield office) quoted me $450 for installation and the first fill-up of propane (100 gallons on the 120 gallon tank). After asking twice, she said that this broke down to $270 for the installation and $180 for the gas, or $1.80 per gallon. This is a promotional rate for new customers only. The rental fee for the tank if we don't refill entirely within a year is $87 plus tax. FerrellGas quoted me $85 per hour for service and labor for the installation, plus $4 per foot for copper piping. The promotional rate for the first fill-up of propane would be $1.99 per gallon. The yearly tank rental is $75 plus tax. They offered a rate lock-in for refill at $2.39 per gallon, or I could lock-in just a rate cap of $2.59 per gallon. When I pressed for an estimate for the total installation cost, for a new construction home with 2 fireplaces, she estimated about $312. Also, keep in mind that you can negotiate with these places. If you decide to go with one of these companies, get together with your neighbors and find out what everyone else is paying. We did this and found out that everyone was being charged different amounts, even when getting filled around the same times. If you call them on it, they'll typically relent and give you the lower price.
O.K., if we buy the tank from Lowes and take it to the station for propane, who do we get to initially hook it up? We have gas logs but they've never been used. Thanks! Sheila (Mrs. Lawnranger)
You need the tank, hose and regulator. You can get all of that from Lowes like im sure you know. Then take it to Wells, or wherever, and get it filled. Take it home. Make sure your husband has a good back. He will need it. Hook it all up to your external hook-up and go inside to the fireplace. Sit there on the floor, while beating your dog to get back and you are not in mood to play, and push the fireplace ignitor for about....20 minutes. After several colorful non-mentionables, more beatings of the dog, colorful adjectives and profanities, you will get the pilot light to show some life but not quite stay lit. Then you notice the shut off valve is partially turned and not letting the gas through fast enough. Few more clicks, few more dog beatings and colorful metaphors and wala, you have a warm house.
And dont forget the roll of teflon tape to put on the threads of the regulator. And make sure the regulator's "vent" is facing down. And might as well keep the dog outside for this.
Oh my! I now remember why we never did this last year! I came home and informed my husband that the associate from Lowes told me that even I (I guess he meant a dumb little wife) could connect our logs. Anyone ever seen films showing a nuclear explosion? I think that's what my husband thinks he'll experience if I try it.
I will NEVER do business with FerrellGas again. Experience was beyond bad BAD!!!!! Never dealt with anyone else. Took out the logs, and the hole where they were was the perfect place for a big screen TV.
McCracken had an ad in the Garner-Clayton Record. Ad stated 100 gallons free, install free. Although the man I spoke with was really nice, the upshot was, if you use gas just for logs, the cost is over $200. Oh, and now they charge $65 for a permit fee. Does anyone know someone who knows how to hook up new gas logs for a reasonable price? Thanks for your help! Sheila
GasLogs We are also looking for someone to come out and connect our gas logs. Please let me know if anyone knows of someone!
Stephenson Heating & AC (329-0686) hooked up our gas logs. Very nice people and very knowledgable! Woo Hoo! Can't wait for the first snowfall!:hurray:
