Natural gas and propane hookups
A standby generator is only as reliable as its fuel supply. Here's how gas and propane hookups work for generators in Calcasieu Parish.
Standby generators run on natural gas or propane. Both are delivered as a gas to the engine, and neither needs to be poured in by hand during a storm. Which one makes sense depends mainly on whether your street has natural gas service.
Natural gas
If your home already has natural gas, a line can usually be run from the meter to the generator. The installer has to check that the meter and existing piping can carry the generator's demand on top of your water heater, furnace, range and dryer. If they can't, the gas utility may need to upgrade the meter, which takes time to schedule. Gas piping is permitted work; inside Lake Charles, the city Permit Center issues gas permits.
Propane
Homes without gas service run standby generators on propane from a tank on the property. The tank size sets how long the generator can run before it needs a refill, and refills can be hard to get right after a major storm. Ask the installer how many days of runtime a given tank gives you at the loads you plan to run. In Louisiana, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Commission requires anyone installing or repairing LP gas systems to hold a permit or registration, and the homeowner who authorizes the work is expected to make sure they do.
What to ask about fuel
- Can my gas meter and piping supply the generator plus my other appliances?
- Who will do the gas or propane connection, and are they licensed or permitted for it?
- For propane, how many days will the tank last at my expected load?
- Where will the tank sit relative to the house, property lines and the generator?
Signs of a fuel problem
- The generator surges or shuts down when big appliances start
- A smell of gas near the meter, the tank or the generator
- Propane tank gauge reading low before storm season
If you smell gas, leave the area and call your gas utility or propane supplier from a safe place.
The generator company prices the job after looking at your house, your electrical panel and your fuel supply. We don't quote prices, and any number given over the phone before a site visit is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Is natural gas or propane better for a standby generator?
If you have natural gas service and enough capacity at the meter, it avoids refills. Without gas service, propane works well, as long as the tank is large enough and kept filled.
Who can install a propane line for a generator in Louisiana?
The Louisiana LP Gas Commission requires anyone installing or repairing LP gas systems to hold a permit or registration. Ask your installer who will do that part of the work.
Related services
- Whole-house standby generator installation
- Transfer switches and load management
- Generator maintenance and pre-season service
- Generator repair
More background: Lake Charles standby generator guide.
Want the lights and AC to stay on through the next storm?
Call now and a local generator company will talk through what your house needs.