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Posted by fftt on May 3, 2009, 1:48 pm
> > I'm going to install a small pool and a firepit in the back yard, and I=
am
> > thinking of using a natural gas / propane heater. I can fuel this in on=
e
> > of
> > three ways, and I would appreciate hearing from others who have experie=
nce
> > with these options. My options are:
> > 1) Install a standalone propane tank and use propane to fuel both the p=
ool
> > and the fire pit.
> > 2) Install a standalone natural gas tank, and then install some kind of
> > natural gas refilling station off our natural gas heating line to the
> > home,
> > moving over natural gas tanks to the pool area as needed.
> > 3) Extend the natural gas line for the home through the backyard to the
> > pool
> > heater.
> > Option 1) seems to be hassle free, but I gather the downside will be th=
e
> > cost? How much more is propane through a propane reseller like Suburban
> > Propane going to cost me than natural gas through a typical West Coast
> > utility?
> > Option 2) has the cost of installing a natural gas resupply station and
> > the
> > hassle of manually needing to move tanks over from time to time. I do g=
et
> > lower usage costs on the gas, so I make back the fixed up front costs
> > eventually.
> > Option 3) is low cost and low hassle to use, but I have a feeling that =
the
> > cost to install a natural gas line extension is going to be large, and
> > probably the permitting process for that is a huge hassle.
> > How would costs of electrical through a utility compare against propane=
?
> > I simply want to pursue the most cost effective strategy for the
> > application.
> > --
> > W
> >>> I simply want to pursue the most cost effective strategy for the
> >>> application.<<<<
> <initial cost? =A0operating cost? =A0life cycle cost?
> =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 I'm looking for lowest life cycle cost over a two year pe=
riod.
> <Pool size? Pool or more like a spa? =A0In ground? =A0Above ground? =A0He=
at
> <year 'round? Or just extend season? Total BTU's burned per season?
> <How long would the pipe to the heater need to be?
> =A0 =A0 Pool is 10 x 16...it is an "Endless Pool" which would be installe=
d
> partly above ground, and it would be heated year round in California.
> =A0 =A0 A natural gas pipe to the heater would run about 100 feet.
> =A0 =A0 I don't know the number of BTUs required to heat the pool per sea=
son.
> --
> W
My second post was lost, but here's the "short answer"
It sounds like you could use a mechanical engineer or knowledgeable
pool contractor to pencil out your options for your specific location
& conditons.
My "blink" is piped natural gas is your cheapest option.
cheers
Bob
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