Fast Plumbing Answers: What Size Natural Gas Line Do I Need?

You just bought a new outdoor range or water heater for your home. You’re upgrading from electric to gas — but you have no idea what size natural gas hookup you need. How can you be sure you’re installing the best gas line for your shiny new appliance?

Don’t worry: we’ll answer all your questions in 2 minutes or less.

We’re Mother, a Dallas-Fort Worth plumbing company that provides dependable, hassle-free modern plumbing for homeowners who value quality. If you need proper gas line installation and sizing advice, we’re here to provide you long-term plumbing solutions that last. 

{{gas-line-repair="/services/gas-line-repair"}}

​

Right Sizing Your Gas Line Is Crucial

We asked our trusted Tradesman Plumber Colton Staley about the importance of proper gas line hookups for new appliances. 

"The main thing you want to think about when adding a new appliance is that it’s properly sized in the gas line,” Colton explains. “That way everything is fed the proper amount of gas."

Choosing the correct size for your natural gas line is crucial for the safe and efficient operation of your appliances. An undersized gas line can lead to appliance malfunction, damage, and even safety hazards. 

Gas line work demands professional expertise. Call Mother Modern Plumbing to avoid installing the wrong sized line and to ensure safe, efficient installation.

Installing The Wrong Size Gas Line = Poor Performance

You’re looking for a gas line that delivers enough BTUs for your appliance. BTUs (British Thermal Units) are a measurement of the heating or cooling capacity of your appliances — every appliance is rated for a certain number of BTUs.

If you’re asking, "What size natural gas line do I need?,” you’re either adding a new gas appliance to your home or upgrading an existing appliance with one that has a higher BTU demand. 

When adding a new appliance, the existing gas line might not have the capacity to supply enough gas to it, leading to performance issues. Similarly, a new, more powerful appliance will require a larger volume of gas than an older model, potentially necessitating a gas line upgrade. 

An undersized gas line also causes performance issues with existing gas appliances. If an appliance isn't receiving enough gas, it won’t function correctly. The most common cause of this issue: you hired an inexperienced handyman or tried to DIY gas line installation.

Long-Term Issues Caused By Incorrectly Sized Gas Lines

An undersized or oversized gas line creates 3 big headaches in home appliance function (and general safety).

Appliance underperformance

“If the gas or if the appliance is undersized, you're not going to get the proper amount of gas flow to that fixture, which is then going to cause it to underperform," Colton says.

Common outcomes: your gas stove burner doesn’t reach full heat, your gas dryer takes longer to dry clothes, or your water heater struggles to produce and deliver enough hot water.

Appliance damage

An undersized gas line can lead to damage to your appliances. In many water heaters and HVAC systems, insufficient gas supply can cause components to fail prematurely. 

"In certain situations, wrong-sized gas lines can cause parts to fail depending on what kind of unit it is, whether it's an HVAC system or a tankless water heater," Colton warns. 

You might also experience error codes on newer appliances due to the inconsistent gas supply.

Personal safety risk

An improperly sized gas line can also pose a safety risk. A severely undersized or incorrectly installed line could lead to gas leaks or a gas fire in your home.

Find the Right Size Gas Line for Your Appliance

This table provides general guidelines to properly size gas lines for specific household appliances. These are estimates — use them to inform discussions with your plumbing professional. They should not replace professional sizing calculations.

TABLE: Recommended gas line size for household appliances

When you call Mother, our plumbers will take these 4 measurements to properly estimate the right gas line size for your new appliance.

1. Total BTU Load: You need to calculate the total BTU demand of all gas appliances that will be connected to the gas line simultaneously.
2. Distance: Longer pipe runs require larger diameter pipes to maintain adequate pressure.
3. Pipe Material and Fittings: These factors also influence gas flow and pressure.
4. Local Codes: Plumbing codes vary by location and must be strictly adhered to.

Attempting to size or install a gas line yourself is strongly discouraged due to the inherent safety risks involved. Gas line work requires specialized knowledge, tools, and adherence to strict regulations.

Here’s What to Do Next

Upgrading a gas line or adding a new gas appliance requires careful planning and precise execution. Ensure the safety and efficiency of your Dallas-Fort Worth home by trusting the experts at Mother Modern Plumbing. 

Our licensed plumbers have the knowledge and experience to accurately assess your specific appliance needs to determine the correct gas line size. We’ll perform a safe, speedy installation that meets all local building codes and regulations.

Don't risk appliance damage or safety hazards with an improperly sized gas line. Call Mother Modern Plumbing today for reliable and professional gas line services!

{{gas-line-repair="/services/gas-line-repair"}}

​