Stone Lake

Historical Propane to Natural Gas Conversion Info

Here is a history of information and files provided in preparation of the conversion to natural gas.

Switch to recent conversion information.

Notes & Documents from May 18th meeting

The Board wants to thank you for your positive attitude towards the conversion to Natural Gas with Hughes Natural Gas. We had 36 properties represented at the meeting held Sat., May 18th and we feel the presentation was thorough and informative. A two part packet was distributed.
One part was the information shared by Real Provencher through a power point presentation. It shares:

• a list of homes needing some lines replaced and that list could grow but all extra work is at no cost to the resident.
• A color coded map that shows the five divisions of homes that will converted beginning the week of July 15, 2013.
• A Work Schedule List that lists street numbers that parallel the map and show the dates of expected conversion. A typo in the second column top should be July 29th and the first 4 numbers are on Stone Lake Circle, not Stone Lake Drive. The next grouping will be Aug. 5th and the last group Aug. 12th.
• Next a discussion on how Hughes handles billing and expected payments.
• Customer Information and Rules of Service
• Gas Lines and needed meter upgrade costs
• Get a scanned copy of the file here: Hughes Natural Gas Information Packet

Real Provencher stressed that the conversion schedule could be effected or delayed by weather, but their hope is to shut off propane on the Monday of your scheduled week, you will have no hot water for Monday night, Tuesday and Wednesday during the day. Beginning Wednesday night, provided there are no unforeseen leaks, they will begin bringing Natural Gas to each house in that grouping, indicating they are ready for hook up, having had a plumber in to make any adjustments necessary for conversion.

From that Monday forward, you will be without any gas until you have had your home converted for Natural Gas and given Hughes the “go ahead” to come in and hook up the Natural Gas. THEREFORE, GETTING YOUR PLUMBER ESTIMATES IN EARLY, DETERMINING THE NEEDS FOR YOUR PARTICULAR HOME, SECURING NEEDED ORIFICES OR SCHEDULING THE REPLACMENT OF HOT WATER HEATERS OR APPLIANCES DURING YOUR SCHEDULED WEEK OF CONVERSION IS VERY IMPORTANT. BEGIN NOW EDUCATING YOURSELF ON WHAT YOUR NEEDS ARE AND HOW TO GET THEM DONE.

The second part of the packet is important papers that will need to filled in and returned to Hughes Natural Gas. That packet includes:

• An Application for Service
• Proof of your “on time” payments of gas or electric bills for the past twelve months (in order to avoid the $235.00 Deposit).
• Automatic payment options
• Homeowner Checklist
• Quitclaim Deed – The agreement with Hughes NG for the purchase of your existing gas line from the street to your meter.
• Get a scanned copy of the file here: Hughes Natural Gas Information Packet

If you were unable to be at the meeting, Hughes will be mailing or delivering your packet directly to you. Please watch for it.

Hughes Natural Gas Contact Information:
Hughes Natural Gas, Inc.
31830 SH 249. Ste A, Pinehurst, TX 77362
Tel (281)766-1290
Fax(281)766-1348
Support_Inquiries@HughesNaturalGas.com
Angela Covington – 281-766-1266

Stone Lake Conversion Project Superintendent – Rodney LeBlanc – 281-766-1295 Office, 281-766-1262 Direct, 281-808-5933 Cell – Questions specific to your home and lot should be directed to Rodney.

If you have a change in the BEST way to contact you, please call Hughes and/or Rodney and let them know ASAP. Hughes also needs to have access to your backyards. If you have private, gated, guarded property, they can’t evaluate your property to let you know what may need to be done. Please be in touch with them. If you have not shared an email address or have not been available to knocks on the front door or phone calls, it makes it very hard for Hughes to help you be ready for the conversion. PLEASE COMMUNICATE.

Thank you!

A Message From Hughes Natural Gas - May 1, 2013

The President of Hughes Natural Gas, Real Provencher, asked us to please share the following information. If you have any questions or need to let Hughes know how best to reach you, please call them.

“We have started evaluating the work that will be required to transition to natural gas. Many of the meter sets will need to be rebuilt with some parts replaced; some meter sets will need to upgraded and some of the yard lines to pool heaters and generators will need to be replaced to meet current safety requirements. We need to be able to access the back yard areas to make our evaluations. The changes that need to be made will be at no cost to the home owner.”

“ It would also be helpful for us to have telephone contact information for each home owner.” Hughes has been given the phone numbers we have in the directory. If your contact phone has changed, please call them and update their information.

“Hughes primary onsite contact for all construction activities will be Rodney LeBlanc, Vice-President of Pinehurst Utility Construction, LLC, and he will be joined by at least one HNG technician. He can be contacted at 281-808-5933.”

Please be aware that they are already in Stone Lake evaluating needs. Be friendly and be sure they know how to reach you.

Stone Lake Plumbing Company List - Last Updated May 2, 2013

(Not Recommendations, just a researched list)

We have contacted 7 plumbing companies and two appliance supply houses. Our conversion scheduled for this coming summer was explained . There was lots of interesting feedback and several plumbing companies admitted that they probably could not supply the need. Of course each resident can do their own thing. All indicated they would be happy to come out and access the house and give an estimate free of charge. Some indicated that doing so as soon as possible would be advantageous because, depending on the appliance, it can take quite a while to get a part or orifice in hand.

The plumbing companies on the list are: (When you call identify yourselves as Stone Lake Natural Gas Conversion Residents)

• Mr. Rooter: 281-364-7077 - (ask for Kimberly)
• Lindsay Plumbing: 281-373-3333 - (Matt Lindsey)
• Aramendia Plumbing: 281-810-9633 - (Jason)

Appliance supply houses – can get needed orifices or replace appliances if needed (don’t do AC/Heater, hot water heaters, total conversion, etc.)

• Worthley Appliance, Tomball: 281-351-5166
• ASI Appliance: 281-452-2121 (Kitchenaid, Whirlpool, Jenair, Amana)

Companies contacted but not convincing that they understand the scope and sequence involved:

• Campbell and Sons Plumbing
• Chavez Plumbing
• Church Services
• A+ Castle Plumbing-recommended ASI
• Milton Frank Plumbing

Never returned call:

• Abacus: 713-489-3121
• MET Plumbing: 281-599-3336

The names included were either recommendations from neighbors or highly rated on Angie’s List.

**UPDATE**

Jon Patterson has provided the following contact and information.

Agape Plumbing Co.
Johnathan Drescher
832.967.9857

"He gave me some approximate cost numbers for natural gas Rheem water heaters, installed. Although a small outfit he said he can get assistance from other licensed plumbers for projects such as ours. He said he can easily install 12 water heaters a day...assuming no significant installation problems occur.

A 50 gallon Rheem hot water tank purchased and installed will cost appx. $1,250 if bought individually. If they can sell 30 units the price will be reduced to appx. $900, and 40 units would cost appx. $800 each. Conversion of outside gas grills, a/c units, inside gas stove tops, etc. will be priced competitively, but he said he would need to know the manufacturer, model number and serial numbers to give a price."

Documents from previous meetings

Understanding your bill from Hughes Natural Gas

Discussion about gas supply - presentation from neighborhood meeting

About Hughes Natural Gas - presentation from neighborhood meeting