Standby generators powered by natural gas are a great investment for homeowners, said Kevin Hecht, manager of Bay City Gas Company.
Hecht is reminding customers who recently installed or are planning to install a natural gas-powered generator to contact Bay City Gas.
“Gas meters installed at homes and businesses are designed to deliver gas up to a specified flow limit,” Hecht said.
“Any significant additions to gas appliances – and natural gas generators are a significant addition – will necessitate an upgrade to the gas meter. “We are experiencing generator installers who have not contacted us, not upgraded the meter, and have left the customers holding the bag,” Hecht said.
“Generators and gas appliances will not work correctly if the gas meter is undersized,” he added.
Generators may surge or stall, and appliances will either fail or run poorly, Hecht pointed out.
“Bay City Gas Company will assess your gas load and upgrade the meter as needed.
“The cost of this upgrade is passed to you, the customer, at materials cost and without labor charges - we do not profit from this upgrade,” he said.
“This will assure that your generator and appliances will continue to function properly during a power outage – which is why you are investing in a generator in the first place,” Hecht noted.
Customers may call 979-245-2327 or go by the Bay City Gas office at 1100 6th Street if they have questions or would like to schedule a meter upgrade, he added.
