If it’s delivered to your house (in cylindrical gray tanks), then it’s LPG, which is mostly liquified propane (propane gas under enough pressure so that it becomes a liquid). That’s completely different than “natural gas”, which is mostly pressurized methane gas and comes from deep underground. (It’s a fossil fuel.)
In Miaoli County, every house has natural gas piped into it, with a meter outside, and a bill comes in the mail once every two months. It’s much more convenient than propane because you never have to worry about suddenly running out, and you never have to call anyone to deliver it. And there has been natural gas pipelines in Miaoli County for at least 40 or 50 years!
But in all the other places I’ve lived (Tainan, Taidong, Hualian, Pingdong, and Jiayi, in that order), there has only been propane (LPG).
Is Taipei still using propane? I thought there were natural gas pipelines in Taipei, at least in the more modern buildings anyway.
[quote=“Mark Nagel”]But in all the other places I’ve lived (Tainan, Taidong, Hualian, Pingdong, and Jiayi, in that order), there has only been propane (LPG).
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I have real natural gas on tap here in Taichung City.
I have it here in Taipei, and grew up with it in the UK. What’s the big deal about having natural gas? Hardly something to write home about.
And having people careering around the streets on motorcycles carrying canisters of LPG is hardly something that any developed country is going to adopt.
Speed and conveniance of having stuff delivered is great. Top of the heap has to be Nw Zealand, where I’ve known people pick up the phone and order a bag of chips.
If it’s delivered to your house (in cylindrical gray tanks), then it’s LPG, which is mostly liquified propane (propane gas under enough pressure so that it becomes a liquid).[/quote]
In Miaoli County, every house has natural gas piped into it, with a meter outside, and a bill comes in the mail once every two months.
I thought there were natural gas pipelines in Taipei, at least in the more modern buildings anyway.[/quote]
I have natural gas piped into my new apartment in Hsintien. I had to pay something like NT$37,000 for it (the cost of installing the pipes for the whole building was divided among all the households, with no choice of opting out), but I’d say it’s well worth it for the convenience.
In Miaoli County, every house has natural gas piped into it, with a meter outside, and a bill comes in the mail once every two months.
I thought there were natural gas pipelines in Taipei, at least in the more modern buildings anyway.[/quote]
I have natural gas piped into my new apartment in Hsintien (Xindian). I had to pay something like NT$37,000 for it (the cost of installing the pipes for the whole building was divided among all the households, with no choice of opting out), but I’d say it’s well worth it for the convenience.[/quote]
It’s more convenient, but also more dangerous during an earthquake. I remember attending a seminar on earthquake preparation in which the speaker said that deaths from broken and leaking natural gas lines that caught fire were a major threat. Anyone else have any info on this?
A friend of mine had one installed on his gas line, and it looks like a ping-pong ball sitting on a pillar. Any movement causes the ball to fall off the pillar, whereupon it blocks the gas line. To reset, rotate a little handle, which makes a lifter push the ball back on top of the pillar. Probably only need one per building. Easy, cheap, probably effective.
I’m going to stick with the tanks for the time being - I use less than one per month, so it’s not too inconvenient to have them delivered, as opposed to installing a gas line (although it’s not too nice when the gas runs out during a shower).
And free from the omnipresence of cop cars crouching behind the bushes outside of bars ready to pounce on the ass of anyone who goes a teensy bit over the blood alcohol limit. Unlike in America, you’re free to walk (not drive!) around drunk all you want, as long as you don’t bother anyone. In the States you can’t even drink on your own front porch for violating public intox/open container laws, much less bring a cold six-pack to the beach or park unless you plan on being very discrete.
And free from the omnipresence of cop cars crouching behind the bushes outside of bars ready to pounce on the ass of anyone who goes a teensy bit over the blood alcohol limit. Unlike in America, you’re free to walk (not drive!) around drunk all you want, as long as you don’t bother anyone. In the States you can’t even drink on your own front porch for violating public intox/open container laws, much less bring a cold six-pack to the beach or park unless you plan on being very discrete.[/quote]