For any of you considering a new American Range Performer 48", the gas hook-up is 32" up on the back of the range. This requires you to make a channel in the wall to accommodate the gas line connections so that the range can fit flush with the wall. Could be a bummer if you already have your walls finished.

Won't find that 'code' requirement for pipes to be in sleeves under streets or throroughfares in my state either. --------------- That said, whether the owner pays for the upgrades and piping necessary to serve the gas requirements of the dwelling, or whether the gas company pays, will often be determined by the calculated gas demand and whether or not the gas company can sufficiently recover its investment in a resonably short period of time. If when building an all gas home, for example, the gas utility will likely determine that despite the cost to them for the initial hookup, the payback in gas purchases over the life of the structure is more than enough to not charge any installation fee for the gas service. If, however, one has an existing all electric home, but wants to convert to gas just to run a back-up gas generator in the event of a power failure, the utility will likely want to charge the customer the full costs associated with installing the new gas service because there is little chance the company will ever recover their that investment. So it really depends on how much demand one will have that ultimately determines whether or not the utility charges for the service hook-up. ------------ It can also depend upon where the meter is located. Typically, the utility is responsible only for the gas lines up to the meter. Where metering is done at the street in a curb box, the cost to the utility to connect gas service can be negligible. But where metering is done at the dwelling (as it is in my state), the costs to the company for initial installation can be considerable...especially if the dwelling is many hundreds of feet from the street or they encounter things like bedrock. ----------- Bottom line: It is not unusual for the gas utility to charge for installations...especially when gas demand will be low or distances to connect are long or difficult to achieve.

Come on, can it be that simple? Is tehre a degradayion in sound? Someone was saying I need an A/B switch but that sounds easier....?

Thanks dross. I looked up the WFMC3200uc model on bosch's website. This manual lists the exact same rating as the model I was looking at. 120 V 15 Amp 1350 Watt max. So, maybe the manual doesn't match the actual label on the machine. That is a relief if that is the case. I wonder what the manual means when it lists the 15 Amps? Similarly, I wonder what it means when the dryer manual lists 9 Amps? If anyone has the 500 series washer and gas dryer, could you take a look at the labels to let me know what the power requirements listed on the machines are? Thanks all, Patrick