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[Keith B <bartermn AT epix.net>]

Gin and I have been here in the log cabin for just almost two weeks but 
were without propane for the first, due to a misunderstanding with the 
gas company.

In the other cabin we had a pair of hundred pound tanks that we wanted 
moved over here, but also wanted an estimate for a larger tank and lines 
run for the kitchen range and a 3500 btu heater that mounts on the wall 
of my office. We called about it two weeks before we officially moved in 
and they finally sent a serviceman who said he just came to take 
measurements, not to move tanks. I told him I would move the tanks (it's 
just across the lawn) but he insisted someone would be back the 
following day to do it.

So that guy left and the next afternoon another showed up. He said he 
could move the tanks but couldn't run a simple copper line to our range, 
that was my job. He started disconnecting the tanks from the other place 
and said our regulator was out of date, taking it with him when he left.

OK, so I fly to the hardware store and get the parts needed, install a 
new line, call the gas company before they close and get told it might 
be a few days before they can come to connect the line to their tanks.

It was a few days and they charged me twenty bucks to wait. The estimate 
for a new system was left on the answering machine just the other day -- 
$608 for a 330 gal. tank and piping to the house (in a trench at least 
18 inches deep unless it crosses the back driveway to the barn and then 
it's four-feet, and they don't dig trenches). The estimate for the rest 
of the lines is $884! That is for 40 feet of line and a couple valves, 
about $150 materials. I guess I'm going to have to crawl under this 
place and do it myself.


Gene GeRue wrote:
> Called four propane companies that will deliver to Heartwood. Two are  
> at $1.649 and two are at $1.699. The tank could take as much as 700  
> gallons but no one will give a discount for a large purchase. The  
> issue is will prices be up or down next summer. Energy companies are  
> no doubt currently all giddy with demand and profits. Only possible  
> condition I can see is the presidential election. Any thoughts?