We've all been there – the winter months bring with it cold temperatures, unexpected weather, and power outages that can sometimes last for days. Across Oklahoma, homeowners are used to the frequent outages that come with every winter.
December 2021 was one of the warmest on record for Oklahoma. When temperatures don’t fall enough for accumulating snow, you can bet that ice will be there in its place. Ice storms can bring with them dangerous ice build-up, power outages that can last for days or weeks, and other dangers that should not be taken lightly.
One way to ensure your family's safety during extreme weather events is to invest in a generator. With a generator, you can keep the lights on, the heat running, and have a backup plan just in case. But what about fueling your generator? With an underground gas line, you can keep the generator running and ensure the safety of your family during power outages.
Read on to learn more about why homeowners should invest in an underground generator gas line – and how BL3 Plumbing can install an underground generator gas line to help you stay warm this winter!
Why Invest In A Generator?
A generator can help provide a secure environment for your family during the winter months and ensure that they have access to home comforts such as heat, warm water from indoor plumbing fixtures, and even running water.
Once seen as a luxury, generators are quickly becoming a staple in the homes of homeowners across America. Having access to power is important, especially when the power grid is down.
When you invest in a generator, you’re getting more than just an extra source of power. You get peace of mind that you can stay inside at all times, knowing that if the power grid goes down, your generator will keep your home warm and your family secure. Plus, you don't have to worry about ice storms, fallen trees, or downed power lines.
Generators are powerful sources of energy that can dramatically improve your safety and comfort during a winter storm. However, generators require fuel to run – which can be difficult and inconvenient during bad weather. That is why many homeowners choose to install a gas line from their house to the generator outside.
Gas lines ensure that your home will have secure power during an ice storm and allow you to keep your family comfortable inside.
Generator Gas Line 101
Many external generators are powered by fuel such as natural gas, propane, or gasoline. However, running an external generator can be problematic as they require constant refueling to operate effectively. This means that when the power goes out in the middle of a winter storm, you'll need to go outside and refill your generator with fuel. (No thanks!)
To ensure that your home is always powered, you can install an external gas line that will keep your generator fueled in case of an outage. By installing a generator gas line, you'll never have to worry about the weather again when it comes to operating your generator.
A gas line for an external generator is installed underground, just like a regular underground plumbing line. It allows you to keep the generator outside so it's safe from the elements.
Once installed, the line will lead from the generator, underground, all the way to your home's internal gas line. By hooking up an external generator to a gas line that you already have inside your home, you can ensure that it is safe and secure.
The Benefits of an Underground Gas Line
Running a gas line from your home to an external generator brings with it a number of benefits – making the investment well worth it in the long run:
1. You eliminate the need for an external power source.
External generators and electrical power strips can be unreliable during a storm or weather event. If your generator is using an external source of power, you may experience problems with the generator not starting, low gas pressure, or other issues that would require you to go outside and refuel the generator manually. By installing an underground gas line for your generator, you can eliminate the need for an external power source.
2. You prolong the life of your generator.
By providing a constant source of fuel, you'll prolong the life of your generator, allowing it to operate effectively during storms and power outages. When you have access to an extra long-lasting energy supply, you'll be able to maintain power for longer, making your generator more cost-effective in the long run.
3. It is environmentally sound.
Utilizing natural gas or propane helps to protect the environment by reducing greenhouse emissions and air pollution from generators that burn gasoline. By opting for a cleaner energy source, you reduce your carbon footprint and help contribute to a more sustainable future.
4. It's safer for you and your family.
When you have a gas line installed for your generator, it eliminates the need to go outside and manually refuel your backup power source during a storm. This makes it safer for you and your family as you don't have to venture into a potentially dangerous environment to maintain access to home comforts such as heat or cooking facilities.
5. It's cost-effective.
You can save money on ongoing generator maintenance and servicing costs by investing in an underground gas line. When you have access to a constant power source for your generator, there is no need to keep replacing fuel filters or spark plugs. This prolongs the life of your generator and ensures that it's running at maximum capacity when needed most.
How a Generator Gas Line is Installed
For the installation of your generator gas line, most experts will follow these steps:
A portion of your underground plumbing system is evaluated for its resistance to corrosion and ability to handle high gas pressure. If there are any issues with this section of your underground system, it will be replaced before the installation process.
A trench is excavated down to the required depth for entering and exiting with gas lines.
The generator is positioned outside near your home, where access to natural gas or propane is easy (or, in most cases, already available).
A gas line is run underground from your home to the generator, ensuring that it is strung up off of the ground. This prevents damage due to weather or potential animal intrusion.
The gas line is connected to your external generator and tested for leaks before being permanently buried in its trench.
The entry point of the gas line inside your home is covered for safety purposes. This may require the installation of a sheet metal trench box through which the gas line passes before connecting to your generator.
Once your generator gas line is installed, you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of uninterrupted access to power as well as a cleaner and more sustainable energy supply. No matter what mother nature has in store for Oklahoma City, your family's safety will always come first with a generator gas line!
Are Underground Gas Lines for Generators Safe?
Yes! As with any other underground gas line installation, it's essential to be sure that the gas line is installed correctly, so there are no safety or legal issues.
Before any underground gas line for a generator is installed, a professional must inspect the system for corrosion resistance and high-pressure tolerance. If there are any problems with your underground plumbing network that would prevent the installation of an external generator gas line, certified installers will replace them before the installation.
The trench should also be dug down to the desired depth, and installers should remove all unnecessary equipment for entering and exiting with gas lines from the area.
It Sounds Like a Lot of Work!
We hear you – installation of an underground generator gas line can seem like a daunting task. But this is something that the experts at BL3 Plumbing are more than happy to handle.
As Oklahoma City's trusted plumbing professionals, we are skilled and experienced at installing underground gas generator lines that meet the highest industry standards. We ensure that your underground generator gas line installation is completed in a timely manner so that you can get back to enjoying home comforts as soon as possible.
We'll work with you every step of the way to ensure that you know how your generator gas line is installed and ensure operational safety. Plus, our team is certified, bonded, and insured. We are committed to your complete satisfaction with our work, so you know that you’re always in good hands when installing an underground generator gas line with us.
Install Your Gas Generator Line Today with BL3 Plumbing
When you invest in an underground generator gas line for your Oklahoma City home, you're investing in energy security for years to come. Not only will you be able to power your home's heat, stove, and lights during an emergency, you'll also enjoy peace of mind knowing that our experts are on hand with 24-hour emergency service.
If you’re ready to learn more about installing an underground generator gas line, call BL3 Plumbing today. We'll be happy to schedule your inspection and quote at a time that works best for you.
The Oklahoma winters can be unexpectedly brutal, but you can stay warm and safe without interruptions with an underground generator gas line. A generator gas line is an excellent investment – learn more with BL3 Plumbing!
