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Running on Green: Becoming a CNG Installer

It is a known fact that vehicle exhaust releases pollutants into the environment. It is also known that rising gas prices are increasingly becoming a burden on the wallets of drivers. Consequently, many drivers are considering converting their vehicles to run on alternative fuels to save money and live greener.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) is one of the most popular alternatives today. It is a clean fuel that costs approximately half the price of gasoline (under a dollar a gallon), while functioning virtually just the same. It is also said to give vehicles a longer life span than do conventional gasoline, and is completely safe, as any gas that might happen to leak out of the system would simply evaporate without posing any fire hazard.

Since CNG installations entail working with high-pressure gasses, a certified installer must perform the conversion. To become a certified CNG installer, an individual must first undergo training and then pass a final exam to exhibit comprehension of the conversion process. Trainees should expect to learn about tank installation, electrical connections, component layout, safety issues and more. If interested, a trainee can also become a certified compressed natural gas fuel system and cylinder inspector. Organizations such as CNG Outfitters currently offer training courses in CNG installation and inspection.

CNG installers should have a good working knowledge of mechanics, if one is not already a mechanic by profession. It would benefit existing mechanics to seek out CNG certification as it may increase their business and keep them on the cutting edge of alternative fuel technologies. Installers must follow the rules outlined in the National Fire Protection Association's Vehicular Fuel Systems Code and should ensure that all aspects of the installation apply with applicable laws. For instance, CNG cylinders are required by federal law to be labeled with the D.O.T. symbol and an expiration date, when the cylinder must be replaced. It is said that cylinders should be inspected every three years; hence, the need for trained CNG inspectors in the industry is increasingly in demand, although not on a grand scale at this time.

Since CNG installations are quite pricey - around $12,000 - it is businesses with vehicle fleets, such as tractor-trailers, delivery vehicles, etc., that will more likely pursue the switch, rather than individual car owners. These businesses will see savings in the long run when they calculate their annual fuel costs. In fact, a number of large corporations, such as UPS and Coca-Cola, have already begun the switchover. Those who are employed as a CNG installer will certainly be delighted to receive business from corporations that request work for an entire fleet of vehicles. However, government tax incentives are also available for families that make the switch, so individual customers should not be ruled out entirely.

In conclusion, if you have a passion for mechanical world, a desire to help citizens save money, and an interest in reducing the amount of pollution in the environment, you may wish to consider becoming a certified CNG installer. Who knows? It might just become the fuel of the future!