Downeast Energy propane "line check" charge (89.00) (Bangor: rental, credit card)

[calif_transplant]

anyone have experience with this company? I've signed with them and they want to do a propane fuel line check, in and out of the home for leaks, proper installation, etc., even though I'll be ordering their fuel and this system has been installed for some time. It almosts seems like it's mandatory, but I looked on thier website and didn't find anything close to such a charge for a "routine check" basically what this is. They have contract charges and a couple others, but nothing that fits this description where a service tech comes out to check the overall installation. Seems like a very steep price for a property owner that already does business with them, this being a rental and the owner has established accounts. I wouldn't consider asking him to pay this, but I do want to find anyone who has had this service with Downeast Energy done for that charge of $89.00 and if they feel it was worth it.

[corgis]

I pay 169. per year to have mine serviced and checked for leaks every year but it's through Dead River not Downeast. Sounds like a bargain to me.

[calif_transplant]

after reading your response (and thanks) it suddenly hits me that it seems like a necessity. I assume though, that you own your place?

[Dreamy46]

Originally Posted by calif_transplant

anyone have experience with this company? I've signed with them and they want to do a propane fuel line check, in and out of the home for leaks, proper installation, etc., even though I'll be ordering their fuel and this system has been installed for some time. It almosts seems like it's mandatory, but I looked on thier website and didn't find anything close to such a charge for a "routine check" basically what this is. They have contract charges and a couple others, but nothing that fits this description where a service tech comes out to check the overall installation. Seems like a very steep price for a property owner that already does business with them, this being a rental and the owner has established accounts. I wouldn't consider asking him to pay this, but I do want to find anyone who has had this service with Downeast Energy done for that charge of $89.00 and if they feel it was worth it.

If the "owner of the property" already has an account from them, then why would you pay the fee as a renter? You don't own the home or it's pipes, nor did you choose to change to another company from your description of events.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by corgis

I pay 169. per year to have mine serviced and checked for leaks every year but it's through Dead River not Downeast. Sounds like a bargain to me.

That's because you disconnect and reconnect every year. We had our tank put in 12 years ago. The propane company ran the line, hooked up the stove and the dryer and charged us nothing to do it. They have filled it since and never inspected the lines again.

[forest beekeeper]

Our LPG supplier requires that they do their own inspection of all lines and fittings anytime that it is re-connected.

The first time when they were installing the LPG tanks their inspection was free. However I was told that if I changed anything, or if I dis-connected and re-connected; then we would be charged for the inspection.

[starwalker]

We get our gas from Webber out of Bangor. The previous owner had a different company, but they required a contact, credit card and "keep full" deliveries which I did not want.

We have one tank of our own (one of the big, tall ones) and wanted to continue to use it for back up (we carry it into town to be filled as needed) and just call the company when we needed gas, so we had to change companies.

The new one, Webber, insisted on an inspection when we signed on. I do not think it was THAT expensive... Don't recall a charge, in fact, but that was because we were starting service. We found out that the propane water heater was not installed properly and wasn't mobile home approved and they would not start us unless it was replaced. We did that (with electric..not best but quickest) and they came, inspected and filled.

We swapped out about a year later, to our tank, while waiting for them to come and then we reconnected to their tank. No inspection was required.

[MRVphotog]

The peace of mind knowing your system won't leak, then explode and find yourself in the newspaper the next day..................priceless.

[7th generation]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

The peace of mind knowing your system won't leak, then explode and find yourself in the newspaper the next day..................priceless.

Yep, $89 sure sounds like a value to me.