Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2007 - (Page 44)

Breakthroughs Sponsor ENERGY Community Propane Systems Fuel Developments Off the Main By Steve Gaze When developers want to provide future homebuyers gas and it’s amenities in communities developed off the natural gas mains, they can easily do so with community propane distribution systems. In a community propane distribution system, a central propane tank is installed either above or below ground in a low-visibility, common area on the edge of a development. Underground gas mains are then run to individual lots, and as homes are built, meters are installed. Community systems are flexible enough to handle a few houses or a planned community with thousands of homes. The systems are essentially underground piped gas distribution networks that are designed to be virtually identical to natural gas systems. They can be installed almost anywhere in the U.S. As homebuyers move beyond cities and traditional suburbs, and therefore beyond the natural gas mains, many still want the option to heat their homes and cook their meals with gas. Propane is a highly efficient, reliable gas and one of the nation’s most versatile sources of energy. Nearly 11 billion gallons of propane are consumed annually in the U.S. by more than 50 million Americans who use propane every day in their homes, on farms, for vehicles, and even for recreation. People trust and rely on propane for heating and cooling their homes, heating water, cooking, drying clothes, barbecuing, lighting, and fueling their gas fireplaces. Propane is available everywhere in the U.S. and burns cleanly, so it’s environmentally friendly. install a 18,000 gallon underground propane tank at the development Sunset Cove, in Galveston, Texas. The installation was put in to fuel a 172-lot high-end bayside community with 240 future condominiums, a restaurant, and 25 estate homes. For this coastal development of high-end vacation and second custom homes, natural gas was not an economical option, yet the developer wanted to provide the marketability of dual fuels without individual propane tanks. The gas system also needed to be constructed to handle weather-related, storm-related tidal surges and the marine environment. To solve this problem, Ferrellgas and HBH Gas Systems engineered and designed an underground delivery system with a state-of-the-art tie-down and zinc-cathode protection system, resulting in a sound propane infrastructure and metered system for the community. Another example of innovative, off-the-main development is Vista View, the 2006 winner of the PROPANE Exceptional Energy® Builder Award, which is presented annually at the International Builders Show. Vista View is a new community in Solon Township, Michigan, which is 20 miles north of Grand Rapids in a well-developed but rural community of subdivisions, residential areas and small farms. Vista View’s developer, Sable Developing Inc. of Rockford, Michigan, incorporated four 1,000 gallon underground propane tanks to ensure constant and consistent gas pressure to its 82 homes. The community boasts a centralized distribution system with propane gas mains running along the streets to each home. Every home in Vista View is equipped with a high-efficiency propane furnace, water heater, range, and dryer. In addition, all homes are plumbed with gas lines to fuel outdoor rooms that include pool heaters, hot tubs, grills, and garage heaters. Propane Community Tanks at Work Two firms, the national gas company Ferrellgas and HBH Gas Systems, recently partnered with Sunbird Development to 18,000 gallon tank installation at Sunset Cove. 44 October 2007 Sustainable Land Development Today

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2007

Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2007 Contents Our Voice Your Voice Editorial Board Mapping the Development Process Looking at a New Dimension The Environmental Liability Continuum GPS System Makes the Grade Regulations: Reactions Mixed Trends: Communications Easements Business Management: Recycling Sustainable Practices: LEED-ND Energy: Community Propane Systems Transportation: Mountain Solutions Recommended Reading Calendar Products/Services Showcase Classifieds Advertiser Index The Last Word

Sustainable Land Development Today - October 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.