Thursday, August 14, 2008

HBH Gas Systems Contributes to Natural Gas Pipeline and Central Gas System Discussions in Pahrump, Nevada

At the beginning of August, developers, contractors and real estate professionals of Pahrump, Nevada gathered to discuss the benefits of bringing gas fuel to their city. A Las Vegas-based environmental engineering firm is currently consulting Nye County and Pahrump to determine the feasibility of bringing a natural gas pipeline into the valley. The primary function of the pipeline could be to serve a gas-fired electric generating plant, but it would benefit many other residents and businesses in the area. Harris Baker, the president of HBH Gas Systems and a recognized expert on the many positive implications of gas fuel, participated in panel discussions with engineers, consultants and interested stakeholders about the benefits of bringing gas to the area.

Mr. Baker has extensive experience in bringing Central Gas Systems, also called town gas systems or Central Propane Systems, to communities around the world that would otherwise be built all-electric. HBH Gas Systems is a leader in the design and implementation of these systems, which are becoming widely known as the industry standard for bringing underground piped, individually metered gas fuel to entire off-grid developments, residential communities and resorts. Central Gas Systems from HBH Gas Systems deliver propane - a clean-burning, approved alternative ‘green’ energy – through underground pipes from a central facility, eliminating unsightly individual tanks. The gas is delivered, serviced, consumed, and billed in a manner identical to natural gas.

HBH Gas Systems could be called upon to implement a Central Gas System to deliver propane gas to the homes and businesses of Pahrump so that new homes and businesses could be built with eco-friendly, cost-effective gas fuel. The propane system could exist until natural gas expanded to the point that the system’s infrastructure, and the homes and businesses connected to it, could be converted to use natural gas.

The developments that implement Central Gas Systems from HBH Gas Systems are often located in close proximity to other communities that have been built all-electric. “There are huge marketing advantages in being able to offer underground metered gas and dual-fuels where other communities can’t,” Baker said at the Pahrump meeting. Builders and Developers in communities that implement Central Gas Systems from HBH Gas Systems reap the benefits of these marketing advantages by offering dual-fuels.

Central Gas Systems from HBH Gas Systems lower the carbon emissions of off-grid developments by effectively reducing the amount of fossil fuel-generated electricity they use. A single home using propane from a Central Gas System in lieu of coal-fired electricity for space and water heating can potentially offset up to 8.5 tons of carbon emissions per year – more than the annual emissions of an average vehicle. Moreover, these systems provide enormous social benefits for homeowners and business owners alike, allowing for the implementation of high-efficiency gas-powered appliances and upgrades like outdoor kitchens, tankless water heaters, and gas lanterns.

While the feasibility of bringing a natural gas pipeline to Pahrump is uncertain, HBH Gas Systems is confident that the builders, developers, and residents of the Pahrump area would benefit enormously from the introduction of dual-fuels into new homes, businesses and community facilities.

HBH Gas Systems has developed, designed, and installed Central Gas Systems in residential communities, commercial developments and entire resorts throughout the US. HBH Gas Systems is committed to facilitating sustainable development worldwide by bringing gas to regions where it was previously unavailable. HBH Gas Systems is the largest independent provider of Central Gas Systems in the world. For more information about HBH Gas Systems, visit http://www.hbhsystems.com/ or contact Harris Baker at (512) 306-0073 or info@hbhsystems.com.

[click here to view this press release]

Monday, August 4, 2008

An HBH Partner Brings Propane - and Relief from High Fuel Prices - to the Trucking Industry

Houff is testing a possible solution to high diesel prices that should get him at least an extra mile per gallon of gas. The trucks get about 6 to 6.5 mpg, he said.

"If we can get it up to 7.5, we'd be tickled," he said.

Blossman Gas, a propane company based in Mississippi, installed a Propane Diesel Injection system on one of Houff's semis Tuesday that will increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by mixing propane with diesel fuel, according to a company official.

"It's a true hybrid," said Steve Whaley of Blossman Gas, adding that some of his company's vehicles use the technology. "We're saving about 11 cents per mile."

When a diesel engine combusts, about 75 percent of the fuel is converted to energy, Whaley said. The rest goes out the exhaust, he said. "All that black smoke is unused diesel," he said.

Adding propane to the mix allows the engine to combust 90 percent of the fuel, he said. "More of it's getting converted to energy," he said. "You can't help but have an increase in the sustainability of speed. This is all about emission reduction and fuel economy."

Read the FULL ARTICLE here.

Or click HERE to visit the HBH Gas Systems website and learn more about propane as an alternative motor fuel.

City of Ashburn Saves Money by Using Propane

July 31, 2008
ASHBURN, GA (WALB) - Propane is most commonly used as fuel to heat our homes in the winter. But it can also be used to run your car, at a cheaper price. Everyone is feeling the pain at the gas pump and city officials in Ashburn decided to do something about it. Ashburn has been in the propane business for years and now their saving money because of it. They've already converted two of their city vehicles to run off propane instead of gasoline.

"We started looking at this when we noticed, along with every other city and every other employer in the state and in the nation when gas prices started escalating, and we noticed that propane costs weren't escalating as high as gas," Ashburn City Manager Ben Taylor says. Not even close. Average gas prices are around four dollars a gallon. Ashburn sells their propane for about $2.70 a gallon. Now that's a deal. But saving money at the pump isn't the only benefit.

"The engine life is longer, because it's clean burning fuel, so of course it's better for the environment, and we've found that there is actually more horse power with our vehicles, after they've been converted," says Taylor. It's also safe. If you have a wreck, this converter box shuts off. But what if you have an emergency, and are low on propane? No need to worry, you can still make a stop at the nearest station. Inside the vehicle, a button is installed that switches the vehicle back to gas operating. But propane isn't the only trend catching on in Ashburn. The city water meter reader, and even the Mayor can be scene driving around in a golf cart! "My truck gets 13 miles to the gallon and this golf truck is going to get 40-50 miles to the gallon," Mayor Jim Hedges says.

So how can you save money? Well, you can purchase a golf cart, or you can make the switch from gas to propane. "Yes we definitely encourage folks to convert over, I mean it's a reliable fuel, and since we're in the business we'd like to sell them the fuel," says the city manager.

A propane conversion runs about 3500 dollars. But that price is paid off after about six months with the money you save at the pump. The Ashburn City Manager encourages anyone interested in converting their vehicle to contact City Hall at 229-567-3431.

Click HERE to learn more about propane as an alternative motor fuel.

-by Christian Jennings, see article here

Propane-powered Ford F150's On the Market!!

Bessemer's Town & Country Ford says it is the first dealership in the state to receive a shipment of new F-150 pickup trucks that run on propane instead of gasoline.

"We received two of the new Roush F-150 trucks that use a liquid propane injection system," said Town & Country President Steven D. Watts. "It has the same horsepower and torque as a gasoline-powered truck with the same engine."

One of the new trucks was pre-sold. The dealership will be the only one in the state to carry the trucks and will carry them as demand dictates. They cost about $10,000 more than a comparable traditional F-150.

The Propane Education and Research Council commissioned Roush Performance Products to design and manufacture the propane-powered F-150 in 2006.

Click HERE to learn MORE about propane-powered vehicles

-by Michael Tomberlin, see article here

Friday, August 1, 2008

Schwan's Avoids Pinch at Pump With Propane

For the past two weeks gas prices have gone down, but what about next week and the week after that. Amid America's current gas crisis, Schwans Home Food Delivery Company has found a way around high-priced fuel and they've been doing it since the 70's!

You may know Schwan's for their decadent desserts or maybe for their restaurant-quality frozen dinners but there's something you may not know, their trucks are more "green" than yellow.

The company pumps propane into it's fleet of 5,000 and has done so for decades.
"Remember the gas shortage and the fuel crisis in the seventies? As a company that was based on getting to folk's front doors, the company was looking for a way to make sure it was survivable," says Matt McCline, Schwan's spokesman.

Schwan's not only survived but came out on top. Company officials say propane is about half the price of diesel and by using it they reduce America's consumption of diesel by 31 million gallons a year.

Click HERE to read the full article.

Click HERE to learn more about Central Gas Systems from HBH, and how these systems can support alternative fueling stations in the communities they serve!