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gas lamp post->electric
#367985 02/26/12 03:29 PM
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Ken.C Offline OP
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I have a gas lamp post in my front yard. I'd love to use the gas lamp, but since it's not connected to my meter (?!), the gas co will charge us around $18/month to have it on, which is ridiculous.

So we're talking about replacing it with an electric lamp. I'm not going to do it myself, but I wanted to check with y'all about what kind of professional I should get to do the work. I have no idea what I'm looking for; ultimately an electrician, I know, but what about capping the gas line?


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Re: gas lamp post->electric
Ken.C #367989 02/26/12 03:33 PM
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Do you have access to the shutoff valve for the gas line?

Re: gas lamp post->electric
Ken.C #367990 02/26/12 03:34 PM
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I have access to the house's shutoff valve, but I'm almost certain it's not hooked up to that (if it was, they could meter it and then wouldn't charge me $18/mo for it!). I have no idea where the shutoff for the lamp post might be.


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Re: gas lamp post->electric
Ken.C #367991 02/26/12 03:36 PM
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onn Offline
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Have you asked the gas company what they would charge to cap the line?

Re: gas lamp post->electric
Ken.C #367992 02/26/12 03:38 PM
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Ken.C Offline OP
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Nope. Just thought about it this morning, since we were talking about building a planter around the thing.

It occurred to me that i didn't want to build then demo a little brick wall in a few months when we decide to actually get the post done.


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Re: gas lamp post->electric
Ken.C #367995 02/26/12 03:42 PM
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Dumb question: For 18 dollars is the lamp always burning?

I would also get an estimate for the electric lamp installation and divide by 18. JUst to see how many years it will take for the electric lamp to pay for itself.


Last edited by Lampshade; 02/26/12 03:44 PM.

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Re: gas lamp post->electric
Ken.C #367996 02/26/12 03:44 PM
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Ken.C Offline OP
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Apparently, yes. The stuff from the gas co says "be sure to call us when you turn it on or off so we can bill you correctly!"

To clarify, if you tell them (or they find out) it's on, they just bill you $18/month, flat rate, since they "estimate" that a gas lamp uses x amount of therms per year.

Last edited by Ken.C; 02/26/12 03:45 PM.

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Re: gas lamp post->electric
Ken.C #367997 02/26/12 03:44 PM
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Ken.C Offline OP
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Also, it seems to be full of wasp nests. Hunh.


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Re: gas lamp post->electric
Ken.C #367998 02/26/12 03:48 PM
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What are the regulations in your area about getting a qualified gas fitter doing the capping? The gas company may not allow someone else tampering with their line. A permit may also be required.

Last edited by onn; 02/26/12 03:50 PM.
Re: gas lamp post->electric
Ken.C #367999 02/26/12 03:49 PM
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I'll call the gas co. That seems to be the obvious first step. That and figuring out how to remove the nests before it gets warm enough for the wasps to emerge/come back/whatever they do.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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