Home Fill Stations

[Big Gus]

OK, lots of good information recieved on my last posted thread, much appreciated!

As I had stated, I live in Indianapolis and we have the highest average gasolene prices in the country and the LOWEST natural gas prices.

I ask, why is CNGV not popular in this area of the country and one reason , the Indy area only has 3 places to refill. and they charge big $$ for the NG, that only cost the homeowner .65 a gallon. Same ole' #%$#, they want to rob us. I have looked into manufacturing an affordable home fill station, as I have a backround in a simular area, although I am at the begining of my research, I think I can produce a home station and sell it for under $2K to the consumer. (Guys, before you slay me, I'm talking about a legal tested/proven/safe system, that must be installed by a licensed professional.)

Along with establishing a foothold in my local market, I believe there also would be a great national market for an affordable home unit.

Thoughts please? Pro's - Cons?

[CNGLO]

Re: Home Fill Stations

If you could build a competitor to the Phill made by Fuelmaker and sell it for $2000, you would have many, many customers waiting in line to buy one.

[Rickinokc]

Re: Home Fill Stations

Hell I am already in line. Let me know when it's ready.

[Curtis]

Re: Home Fill Stations

You may find the certification process a bit of a challenge. A unit that was certified as a home appliance, like the Phill would be great, but a 1gge unit that's the size of the Phill and worked like the FMQ2-36 would be the killer combo. Best of luck. If you need professional assistance, legal assistance, financial assistance, this group has tons of resources. All you have to do is ask.

[Big Gus]

Re: Home Fill Stations

Met with my local gas company rep today regarding home fill stations, my presentation and idea was good, but there are a lot of obstacles to be over come, to be able to market this. He agrees it will do what it is intended to do, both must be an approved (Nationaly) before being offered for sale.

Kind of see what these EPA cert kit guys have went though, you know how much money it will cost me to get this thing on the market, hell, I'd have sell 20,000 of them to recoup.

He did say there are no restrictions for my own personal use, as long as it was installed and inspected by one of their licensed professional.

[Curtis]

Re: Home Fill Stations

Do a Google search for "Angel Investors".

[kblock108]

Re: Home Fill Stations

Hey everyone! I recently purchased an 09 GX from Curtis, yes it was the infamous "silver" one that I saw people speaking of, lucky me. Anyhow, I called PHILL and discovered that the unit ranges between 3900 and 4200 (depending on set up), minus the $2000 from AQMD, net cost of 1900 to 2200. PLUS, a $1000 tax rebate for the purchase. Now here is my question, is the PHILL worth this net cost of 900 to 1200?? My wife will be driving it for work, about 40 miles a day and not during the summer (she's a teacher). Installation is not a factor for me (long story), is it worth it???? Thanks

[cngaz]

Re: Home Fill Stations

For your area, the intended use and the cost incentives, I would say its worth it.
For other areas with less incentives and someone who would drive more, a
FMQ2-36 is a better deal in the long run.

[CNGLO]

Re: Home Fill Stations

I'm in Utah where gas at the pump is only 87.5 cents. A $1200 Phill installed would be worth it to me. Determine what you are paying for CNG from Clean energy or whatever price you are paying in California and what you are paying for natural gas at home. Some California utilities give a preferential rate if you are filling your car at home. Be sure to include the following costs for home refueling: opportunity cost of your initial investment, cost of electricity, cost of Phill rebuild (if you are going to use it beyond its 6000 hour life). Assume after you make this calculation that you determine that you save only 75 cents over the cost of CNG at the pump and your 40 miles per day, 4 weeks a month for 9 months nets 7200 per year. I get about 34 mpgge in my new GX with mixed surface/freeway driving. 7200 divided by 34 is about 211 gge. At 6000 hours on the Phill before the next rebuild netting you about 2400 gge. Multiply the 2400 gge by the 75 cents you are saving per gallon and you arrive at a $1800 savings for a Phill that cost you only $1200. However, since your wife is only using 211 gge per year, it will take more than 11 years to get the full savings. Nonetheless, your break-even assuming a 75 cent per gge savings would be at about 7 years, seven months. If you drive the car more than 7200 miles per year, your break-even will come faster.

If for nothing more than the convenience, I'd go for it. It's a no brainer.

[Lakewood90712]

Re: Home Fill Stations

Now here is my question, is the PHILL worth this net cost of 900 to 1200??. Installation is not a factor for me (long story),

We love long stories at CNGCHAT .

? Are you a Fuelmaker dealer ??? , if not, add $1200-$1500 for a simple install (bolt it to the wall ,hook up the gas flex , plug it in and test it) extra work at normal plumbing co retes.

[rocketmanpete]

Re: Home Fill Stations

Hey I'll just do it the redneck way double supercharge my air compressor plumb the NG line to the intake,the exhaust will then be fed into my super pressure washer and presto I have a a home filling station. If I no longer post look for a big hole in the ground in West Jordan.

I am not responsible if some one really tries this

[kblock108]

Re: Home Fill Stations

I really appreciate all your insight, I am leaning towards doing it,especially since the price seems good. My really good friend is an authorized installer for PHILL (new one and not the one that tries to rip everyone off), so I wil see some savings there too. In a perfect world, I would buy the FM...too bad my money tree died