Propane and natural gas hookups for generators
Propane tank or natural gas line for your generator in Port St. Lucie and Martin County. Get matched with licensed gas and electrical contractors.
A standby generator is only as good as its fuel supply. In St. Lucie and Martin counties the choice is usually between natural gas and propane, and the answer often depends on what is available on your street.
Is natural gas available?
Natural gas lines do not reach every neighborhood. Many homes here have no gas service at all. The gas utility or your contractor can tell you if there is a main on your street, and what it costs to connect. If there is, natural gas means no tank, no deliveries and a steady supply.
Propane tanks
Where there is no natural gas, a propane tank is the usual answer. Tanks come in different sizes and can sit above ground or be buried. Larger tanks run longer between fills. A buried tank is out of sight and out of the weather, but costs more to install. Some HOAs require screening or prefer buried tanks, so check before you choose.
Setbacks
A propane tank must be placed at set distances from the house, the property line, windows, air intakes and sources of ignition. The exact distances depend on the tank size and the local code, and the installer and the inspector check them. A small lot may limit your choices, which is one reason to get the layout reviewed early.
Who does the work
Gas piping has to be done by a licensed plumbing or gas contractor. Propane tank installation and fuel delivery are handled by a licensed propane company. The electrical connection to the generator is separate and belongs to a licensed electrical contractor. A good generator installer coordinates all of them, but ask who is responsible for each part.
Pipe size matters
A generator uses a lot of gas when it runs. If the line from the meter or tank is too small, the unit can starve and shut down under load. The contractor sizes the pipe for the generator, plus anything else on the same line, like a furnace or a range.
Permits
A permit from the city or county building department is required for new gas piping and for the generator itself. A final inspection includes a pressure test on the gas lines.
What it costs
A natural gas hookup depends on the distance from the meter, whether the meter or service line needs upgrading, and the permit. A propane setup depends on tank size, whether it is buried, and the trenching. Both are quoted after a site visit. For the full project, see standby generator installation.