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Propane to Natural Gas Conversion?

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  • #1

    Propane to Natural Gas Conversion?

    So, I currently have both a fireplace and an outdoor grill that run off of propane bottles. My house also has a natural gas line. I would like to convert the fireplace and grill and hook them up to the natural gas line.

    Is this a hard thing to do? Can I do it myself (or are special tools or anything needed that I couldn't get at the local hardware store)? Are there any potential issues (apart of the risk of blowing up the house)?

    On the potential issues, my father reckons that there is a likely to be a substantial difference in operation pressure between the LP and the gas. I am assuming the conversion kits I have seen take care of this, but I am not sure.
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  • #2
    Excuse my ignorance, but what is the difference between propane and natural gas? Isn't it the same thing?

    Spec.
    -Never argue with an idiot; He will bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.

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    • #3
      I don't know if there is a material difference in the substance, but there is a difference in the delivery mechanism.

      With LP, I have to go buy bottles (and wouldn't you know, it always runs out when the chicken is only half-cooked). With the natural gas, it comes into the home on a city-provided line - thus it is "always on" and never runs out.

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      • #4
        DIY with gas appliances sounds a bad idea to me.

        A small additional point is that if you come to sell one day this sort of thing has been known to put off a purchaser.

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        • #5
          Well, my parents have propane for everything in the house, BBQ, fireplace, water heater for the pool. And my dad hooked it all up.

          Must'nt be hard at all.

          Spec.
          -Never argue with an idiot; He will bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.

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          • #6
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            • #7
              Propane is a specific chemical substance (C4H10) while Natural Gas is a combination of several organic gasses (including Propane). From what I recall it is possible to use some devices with either one, but I don't recall the details specifically. I do think the intake pressure is going to vary a lot, as the natural gas pressure in the lines is low and propane gas pressure in tanks is very high. Fortunately it varies in the 'safer' direction

              I think natural gas is a lot 'dirtier' than propane, so you have more potential of clogged valves and such (especially with the lower pressure).
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              • #8
                Originally posted by snoopy369
                Propane is a specific chemical substance (C4H10) while Natural Gas is a combination of several organic gasses (including Propane). From what I recall it is possible to use some devices with either one, but I don't recall the details specifically. I do think the intake pressure is going to vary a lot, as the natural gas pressure in the lines is low and propane gas pressure in tanks is very high. Fortunately it varies in the 'safer' direction

                I think natural gas is a lot 'dirtier' than propane, so you have more potential of clogged valves and such (especially with the lower pressure).
                I like it that you got technical, but propane is C3H8. Butane is C4H10.

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                • #9
                  You can do it yourself, but you must be very careful when working with gas lines. Proper seals and very tight connections are the key when working with blackpipe. You will most likely need new nozzles in your grill and fireplace, but maybe not.

                  Not really all that hard, but the consequences of a mistake could be pretty bad.
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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Provost Harrison


                    I like it that you got technical, but propane is C3H8. Butane is C4H10.

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                    Oops, that's what I get for writing in the morning... I thought to myself "Meth, Eth, Tetr,Prop,But..." somehow deciding there was a Tetrane compound
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                    I like your SNOOPY POSTER! - While you Wait quote.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by snoopy369


                      Oops, that's what I get for writing in the morning... I thought to myself "Meth, Eth, Tetr,Prop,But..." somehow deciding there was a Tetrane compound
                      But really, what a Carbon and a couple Hydrogen between friends?

                      Anyway, my original question might be moot. My home-owners association agreement actually mandates that a licensed and bonded professional be used for any and all improvements involving water, gas or electric. When I inquired, the association president (and my neighbor) mentioned that a couple years back a guy down the street caused a rather dramatic "cascading shower of sparks" that caught his neighbor's shrubbery on fire when he was attempting to rewire his garage. Seems he neglected to ground any of the new connections he made.

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