Question

You ask the gas company for service to a building in construction at a pressure of 2 pounds per square inch (13,800 pascal). The gas company would rather supply gas at 5 psi (34,500 pascal) because they say it costs them less. Why?

Answer

At the higher pressure, a given volume of gas can be delivered through a smaller pipe. The lower-pressure gas requires larger pipes, meters, and valves, and is therefore more costly.