Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Gas
Do Natural Gas appliances cost less to run than electric or propane appliances?
Yes! It is a matter of efficiency. When you use natural gas directly, to heat water, heat your home or cook your food, you are using the clean burning power of natural gas directly and most efficiently.
Although our power plants are very efficient, by the time we produce and distribute the electricity, we lose the original "power" available in the natural gas we use as fuel.
For this reason, natural gas appliances are more efficient and less expensive than comparative electric appliances.
Compared to propane, natural gas is cleaner burning and less expensive.
Is natural gas available on my street?
You can now easily check online to see if natural gas is available on your street.
- Are gas appliance rebates offered for new homes as well as existing homes?
Yes. View our great natural gas appliance rebates.
- If
I move into a home or apartment with natural gas appliances, should I call Your Own Utilities to turn on the gas service and light appliance pilot
lights?
Yes. The city's electric and water service can be turned with no one home, but not gas. You should call 891-4YOU (4968) and make an appointment for gas service turn-on and pilot lighting. Almost all gas water heaters have a pilot light, and likewise some older gas furnaces.
- How do I request gas connection to my house?
Your gas appliance installer makes the request for you, when requesting a City permit for gas appliance installations.
- What is the charge for a gas pipe connection from the street to the house?
The gas tap fee is $50. The fee is waived if you connect a natural gas water heater and you also can get a $675 rebate. The gas "tap" is the gas pipe extending underground from the street-side gas main to the gas meter beside your house. You hire your own gas contractor to extend black steel pipe from your meter inward to your gas appliances, and your contractor connects the appliances.
- How long does it take to get the tap?
About one to two weeks.
- Could I have some gas appliances installed now, others later?
Yes. But it saves money if gas piping is extended now to future gas appliance locations. Don't wait for your current water heater to fail. Replace it now and take advantage of the City of Tallahassee's $675 rebate and tap fee waiver.
- Does the City turn off its natural gas distribution during or after a hurricane?
No. Find out more about gas safety and storm safety.
- Are natural gas emergency backup generators available?
Yes. Check with a local home improvement store, hardware or the internet for availability and pricing.
- Who can I call if I have questions about natural gas availability, installing contractors, appliance efficiency and emergency generators?
Call the City of Tallahassee Utilities Gas Sales office 891-4YOU (4968)
and then press 4 then 1.