about the "Pipeline Protection Plan" that Centerpoint Energy advertised in
their last mailing. It's a mere $3.95 a month for peace of mind.
However, Channel 11 interviewed a fellow who sells gas appliances and has
been in the business a long time. He said that once properly installed, a
gas pipe will absolutely not leak. It makes sense and besides, where have
they been all this time while we were living dangerously? Shame on
Centerpoint Energy.
Here's the article from KARE 11's website:
Gas pipe protection: Worth your money?
CenterPoint's coverage does not include damage caused by neglect or
improper installation of gas lines, just normal wear
Author: Boyd Huppert
Published: 10:41 PM CDT October 22, 2018
Updated: 10:44 PM CDT October 22, 2018
MINNEAPOLIS – Amid the political flyers in your mailbox this month, you may
have noticed a pitch from CenterPoint Energy.
The natural gas utility has sent out 650,000 mailers promoting its pipe
protection plan, a sort of insurance coverage should the gas lines inside
your home wear out.
Cost: $3.95 a month, added to the gas bills of CenterPoint customers.
“We really thought that this is a good product, it's a product that many of
our customers want,” said CenterPoint’s Doug Peterson, who signed the
letter.
But four veteran plumbers contacted by KARE 11, suggested skipping the
coverage.
“I would recommend you throw it in the garbage,” said master plumber Dick
Blaylock, the president of Blaylock Plumbing in Richfield. “If your gas
line was installed properly, it will not wear out for the life of your
house."
The CenterPoint mailing correctly points out that customers are responsible
for the cost of gas line repairs on the house side of their gas meters,
which, the utility says, could run into the hundreds of dollars.
CenterPoint's coverage does not include damage caused by neglect or
improper installation of gas lines, just normal wear.
Peterson concedes, “typically gas pipes themselves don't wear out,” but
maintains that connectors and attachments to appliances can.
Blaylock still isn't buying it. He holds up a copper fitting in his shop.
“They'll never wear out with gas going through them,” he says.
CenterPoint says it’s signed up 16,000 Minnesotans homes since the program
was more quietly launched seven years ago.
And as for those skeptical plumbers?
“Perhaps they don't want the customers to have our coverage because they'd
like to make that repair,” Peterson said.
Asked what he would tell his customers, Blaylock was short and to the
point. “Don’t waste your money.”
© 2018 KARE
Janet Nye
Phillips