The older style LP tanks do use an internal left handed thread. The new tanks all have the "OPD" (overfill protection device) and they also have an external right handed "worm" type thread. You have two options: get an adapter at Walmart for about $10.00 or, check the date on the old LP tank you have, if it is twelve years or older, then when you have it refilled they will require you to have it re-certified. It is probably cheaper for you in the long run just to do a tank exchange for about $16-$18 bucks. That way you are good for another twelve years. As far as your question about running the bbq on NG, it won't work without a conversion. LP gas is at a much greater pressure than NG so, consequently the orifices are smaller for LP than NG. You can check with Aussie and see if they offer an NG conversion kit. If not, you can attempt to drill out the orifices by hand. There are some places on this discussion board as well as others on the net that talk about how to do this. If you do that, you can also get a 12' Natural Gas hose with a quick disconnect on the end that would fit (maybe without an adapter) on your existing stub from your house and the bbq. I just picked one up from Home Depot. It was made by Char Broil in the accessory area. In either case good luck and happy grilling. bsbbq

Weber makes grills for building-in, but they may be in the 1,000 range, or they may not be. In any event, if you do go with a gas grill, I highly recommend Weber. They cook very well and I don't think you can go wrong for the money. A Genesis II Silver B (the minimum that I'd recommend) goes for $450. Not sure how the size is, or if you could take it apart and build it in. I'm sure that's not recommended for safety reasons. Maybe you could remove some bricks and reconfigure your space to use a gas grill as is, less the legs? But do check out the Weber built-ins. I think most Weber models are available in both LP and natural gas, comparable prices. I can identify with your "tightwad" inclinations, but if you've never cooked on a good gas grill, you'll be pleasantly surprised and might find it worth the money. Good luck, Steve

Hi TD and thanks. We do have other gas appliances, and still are considering the gas generator backup so I feel that the dual fuel system is still of most interest. At present, one major dilemma is replacement of all of the ductwork, which was suggested by the Carrier dealer with the high prices, and the Trane dealer who miscalculated, waited weeks to give an estimate and did so only after I called them numerous times. They also have not yet gotten back to me with the corrected estimate. Also the latter really did not want to give me the equipment specs. The Lennox dealer has been very responsive. He initially recommended replacing only some of the ductwork, but thought we could leave the trunk lines alone for the most part. So one of the elements, which adds quite alot of expense, is whether or not to replace all of the ductwork. The Lennox dealer would be willing to do that, but it would add over 4k to the cost. Any thoughts on that? All the dealers commented on the adequacy of the duct system after a rather cursory inspection. When I questioned the Carrier rep. further he indicated that he could tell just by looking at a few spots that the ductwork was "too big in some lines and too small in others), and the branching from the main duct was not done properly. Also any thoughts on a good Lennox package? Is the package suggested by their bid adequate? It has I think a single speed (coil? compressor?) paired with a 15 SEER unit. He calculated that would give a 14 SEER used together. I have tried to find another Carrier dealer who services my area with no luck. The only other Carrier dealer is a national chain store. I had scheduled a visit for them to give me an estimate at the very beginning of this process; however, the appointment was cancelled with no follow-up. I called them back to reschedule and the earliest appointment that they have would be mid-June--I hoped to have installation complete by then! THe Lennox dealer said that had previously offered Carrier, but that the distribution center for our area was so unresponsive that they had many concerns about dealing with them because they had problems obtaining parts in a timely manner. The Carrier dealer also said that the distribution center did not carry some equipment such as the Carrier 14 SEER heat pump. Unfortunately, we live in a small town, and even the dealers from whom I am receiving estimates are in other surrounding towns--no one competent in our community! Thanks again for all of your help. Regards, Beth

One of the reasons why I'm asking this question is that I have found a particular installation deal for an energy star water heater from a well respected company in my area. It is a GE/Rheem 40 gallon water heater, model gg40t06axk00. I haven't been able to find out anything about it, can't find it on the internet. I also don't know if I'm elgible to install it where my current water heater is (in a cabinet in my garage with an outside door). The other two non-energy star water heaters are GE/Rheem prog38-38urh62 and GE/Rheem prog48-40urh60. These two I've been able to find on the internet, just wondering if there's any comments on them here in regard to reliability and longevity. Is anyone familiar enough with water heaters that they could look the energy star one up for me and post a URL or some way that I could potentially look at specs and reviews? Thanks so much.