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β›½ FLORIDA GAS METER SIZING

Natural Gas Meter Sizing & Demand Calculator

Calculate total BTU demand, check meter adequacy, and learn the FL utility upgrade process for Peoples Gas, FPL Gas, and TECO

πŸ“Š Demand Calc
β›½ Meter Guide
πŸ“‹ FL Utilities
πŸ“ž Quote

πŸ“Š Total Gas Demand Calculator

Toggle on each gas appliance present or planned. We'll calculate your total demand and check your meter.

EXISTING APPLIANCES
Gas range / cooktop
65,000 BTU/hr
Storage water heater
40,000–50,000 BTU/hr
Gas furnace / air handler
80,000–120,000 BTU/hr
Gas dryer
22,000 BTU/hr
Gas fireplace / log set
40,000 BTU/hr
NEW / PLANNED APPLIANCES (FL ADDITIONS)
Tankless water heater
150,000–199,000 BTU/hr
Pool heater
200,000–400,000 BTU/hr
Spa / hot tub heater (standalone)
80,000–120,000 BTU/hr
Whole-home generator (gas)
130,000–350,000 BTU/hr
Outdoor kitchen / grill burners
60,000–120,000 BTU/hr
Commercial-style wok range
150,000 BTU/hr
β€”
Total BTU/hr
β€”
CFH Required
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Meter Needed
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Meter Status

πŸ“ Common FL Appliance BTU Reference

Pool heater (small, 150K)150 CFH NG
Pool heater (large, 400K)400 CFH NG
Whole-home generator (20kW)~200 CFH NG
Standby generator (22kW)~240 CFH NG
Tankless WH (199K)199 CFH NG
Gas range + oven65 CFH NG
Gas dryer22 CFH NG

NG heat content: ~1,000 BTU/cubic foot. CFH = BTU/hr Γ· 1,000

β›½ FL Gas Meter Size Guide

Standard residential and commercial meter capacities

Meter TypeCapacity (CFH)BTU CapacityTypical Use
Residential Small175 CFH175K BTU/hrRange + WH only
Residential Standard250 CFH250K BTU/hrRange + WH + dryer
Residential Large425 CFH425K BTU/hrFull home + tankless WH
Residential XL800 CFH800K BTU/hrHome + pool heater
Commercial Small1,600 CFH1.6M BTU/hrLarge pool + generator
⚠️ The meter size in the table above uses the "diversity factor" for simultaneous use. In practice, not all appliances run simultaneously β€” utilities apply a diversity factor of 0.5–0.75 for residential. Your actual meter requirement is typically lower than full BTU sum.

πŸ”„ Meter Upgrade Process

Licensed CPC pulls gas permit β€” Your licensed plumbing contractor (CPC) submits the gas permit to your FL county. Permit includes updated appliance list and total BTU load calculation showing meter upgrade is needed.
Contractor contacts utility β€” CPC or homeowner calls Peoples Gas / FPL Gas / TECO to report the added load. Utility sends field technician to measure current meter and verify capacity. This is a FREE utility service β€” no charge to request a load study.
Utility load study / approval β€” Utility calculates total connected load using diversity factors. If current meter is undersized, utility schedules meter upgrade. Typical FL timeline: 2–6 weeks for residential meter swap.
Meter upgrade installed β€” Utility installs new meter at no cost to homeowner (meter is utility property). New gas line or regulator changes on homeowner's side: contractor's responsibility. Utility shuts gas briefly (~30 min) during meter swap.
Relight and inspection β€” After meter swap, licensed contractor relights all pilot lights and verifies appliance operation. FL county inspector reviews gas installation. Final inspection signed off. Project complete.

βœ… Meter Upgrade Readiness Checklist

Total BTU demand calculation completed (use Demand Calc tab)
Gas permit applied for (licensed CPC)
Utility notified of added load (Peoples Gas / FPL Gas / TECO)
Gas line from meter sized for total new demand (per NFPA 54)
Regulator pressure adequate for new appliances
All CSST bonded per FL code (if applicable)
Pressure test (10 PSI, 15 min) scheduled for inspection

πŸ“‹ FL Gas Utility Contact & Process Guide

Florida has three main natural gas utilities: Peoples Gas (most of FL), FPL Gas (South FL), and TECO Peoples Gas (Tampa Bay). Each has a slightly different meter upgrade process β€” contact your local utility before beginning work.
Peoples Gas (Emera Florida) β€” Serves most of Florida outside of South FL and Tampa Bay. Service area: Jacksonville, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Sarasota, Fort Myers, and more. For new load: call 1-877-832-6747 and request a "New Service / Meter Upgrade" study. Online: myfloridanaturalgas.com. Typical timeline: 2–4 weeks for residential meter upgrade after permit.
FPL Gas (NextEra) β€” Serves South Florida: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie counties. Call 1-800-375-2434 for gas service upgrades. For large additions (pool heater + generator): FPL Gas may require a formal load study β€” submit through your licensed contractor. Timeline: 3–6 weeks for commercial-tier meter upgrades in HVHZ service area.
TECO Peoples Gas (Tampa area) β€” Serves Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando, and surrounding counties. Call 813-228-1234 or visit tecoenergy.com. TECO typically does a complimentary load analysis for customers adding pool heaters or generators. Same Peoples Gas parent company β€” similar process to statewide Peoples Gas.
Diversity Factor β€” Why Your Meter May Be Adequate β€” Gas utilities don't size meters for 100% simultaneous load. They apply a "diversity factor" β€” typically 0.5–0.75 for residential. Example: pool heater (250K BTU) + tankless WH (199K BTU) + range (65K BTU) = 514K total, but with 0.65 diversity factor = 334K CFH effective demand. This often means a 425 CFH residential meter is adequate. Your utility calculates this β€” don't assume you need an upgrade without their study.
Service Line Size β€” Critical for Large Loads β€” Even with correct meter, if the underground gas service line from the main to your meter is undersized, flow will be restricted. For very large BTU additions (pool heater + generator + tankless), utility may need to upgrade the service line β€” this is utility responsibility and typically free, but adds lead time (4–8 weeks). Ask utility to confirm service line size during load study.
Propane (LP) Alternative β€” If natural gas service is not available at your FL property (rural areas, some coastal communities), LP (propane) is a full alternative. LP tanks are utility-owned (leased) or privately-owned. Propane has ~2.5x more BTU per cubic foot than NG β€” smaller volume needed but different pipe sizing. NFPA 58 governs LP tank installation. For FL pools and generators in non-NG areas: LP is the standard solution.

πŸ—ΊοΈ FL Gas Utility by County

Miami-Dade / Broward / Palm BeachFPL Gas
Hillsborough / Pinellas / PascoTECO Peoples Gas
Orange / Osceola / SeminolePeoples Gas
Duval / Clay / NassauPeoples Gas
Sarasota / Manatee / LeePeoples Gas
Leon / Alachua / GainesvillePeoples Gas
Monroe / CollierFPL Gas (limited) or LP
Rural / coastal areasLP (propane) β€” no NG main

πŸ“ž Gas Meter Upgrade & Line Extension Quote

Licensed CPC β€” FL gas line sizing, permit, and utility coordination

πŸ“ž Call Now: (561) 316-7450

πŸ’° FL Gas Line Extension Cost Guide

Gas line to pool heater (50 ft)$600–$1,400
Gas line to generator (50 ft)$800–$2,000
Gas line to outdoor kitchen$500–$1,200
Gas meter upgrade (utility installs)Free (utility responsibility)
Regulator upgrade (homeowner side)$200–$500
Gas permit (FL county)$75–$250
Gas pressure test + inspectionIncluded in permit
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Florida Quick Answers

How much does gas meter demand cost in Florida?

On this page, Florida gas meter demand estimates run about $800-$2,000, depending on home size, materials, and project scope. Use the calculator above for a Florida-specific estimate.

What affects the price?

Pricing depends on the size and layout of your home, the materials and fixtures you choose, your Florida region and local labor rates, and permit fees. Work that is more complex or harder to access generally costs more.

Can I DIY this, or should I hire a licensed plumber?

In Florida, minor maintenance may be DIY, but anything beyond that generally calls for a licensed plumber, and many jobs require a permit and inspection. When a permit, gas work, or your main water or drain lines are involved, hire a Florida-licensed plumber.

Does homeowners insurance cover it?

It depends on the cause and your specific policy. Sudden, accidental damage is more often covered than gradual wear-and-tear or maintenance - confirm the details with your insurer.

How long does it take?

Timelines depend on scope - many routine jobs take a few hours to a day, while larger projects run longer. Your licensed plumber can confirm after assessing your home.

Plan with confidence

Planning estimate, not a quote — confirm with a licensed Florida plumber. Confidence is qualitative: ranges reflect this page’s Florida assumptions, not a guaranteed price.

Key assumptions

Estimates on this page are Florida-specific and reflect Gas Meter Demand for typical Florida homes.

From this page: On this page, Florida gas meter demand estimates run about $800-$2,000, depending on home size, materials, and project scope. Use the calculator above for a Florida-specific estimate.

Your actual cost depends on your home's condition, layout, and local labor and permit rates.

Factors that raise or lower cost

From this page: Pricing depends on the size and layout of your home, the materials and fixtures you choose, your Florida region and local labor rates, and permit fees. Work that is more complex or harder to access generally costs more.

Generally raises cost: harder access, older homes, added permits and inspections, premium fixtures or materials, and emergency or after-hours work.

Generally lowers cost: easy access, bundling several items in one visit, standard fixtures, and off-peak scheduling.

Preparation checklist

  • Clear access to the work area and locate your main and fixture shut-off valves.
  • Check with your county or city building department (AHJ) on whether a permit and inspection are required.
  • Note the make, model, or measurements of existing fixtures and pipe materials.
  • Get the scope, total price, warranty, and cleanup terms in writing before work starts.
  • Verify the plumber holds an active Florida license and carries insurance.

Questions to ask your plumber

  • Are you licensed and insured in Florida, and who pulls the permit?
  • Is the quote itemized for parts, labor, permit fees, and disposal?
  • What could change the final price once the work begins?
  • What warranty covers the parts and the labor?
  • How long will the job take, and will my water be shut off?
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Recommended next steps

Curated Florida tools and resources related to this page.

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026 (US Eastern)

Reviewed by the FL Plumbing Tools editorial team.

Sources: Florida plumbing cost research and Florida Building Code / local authority-having-jurisdiction (AHJ) permit references.

Florida reference: Estimates and guidance reflect Florida labor rates, permitting, hard water, humidity, and coastal conditions.

Updates: Reviewed periodically and updated as Florida codes, permit fees, and market rates change.