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converting a furnace from natural gas to propane maurice 09-21-2006
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Posted by maurice on September 21, 2006, 6:19 pm
Hi. I have a sunroom in my house that's heated on its own separate
furnace, which is likely about 20 years old but has been used only
sporadically and appears to be in good condition. I'm removing the
sunroom, and was thinking about converting the furnace to lp gas and
setting it up in my garage. The garage is difficult to get a gas line
into, plus I'm installing a gas fireplace and am just about maxed out
on how many gas appliances I have already. I don't need the garage
heated all that often, but would sure like to be able to fire up a
furnace when I need to.

Is it easy to convert the furnace to propane? and is it worth it?

Thanks for your help.


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Posted by hallerb@aol.com on September 21, 2006, 6:28 pm
cvall the furnace manufacturer and see if the parts are available. with
a 20 year old furnace it might be a problem.

have you priced propane and tanks to run a furnace? I would run a
natural gas line or use a portable LP bullet heater for occasional use


Posted by Todd H. on September 21, 2006, 6:59 pm
> Hi. I have a sunroom in my house that's heated on its own separate
> furnace, which is likely about 20 years old but has been used only
> sporadically and appears to be in good condition. I'm removing the
> sunroom, and was thinking about converting the furnace to lp gas and
> setting it up in my garage. The garage is difficult to get a gas line
> into, plus I'm installing a gas fireplace and am just about maxed out
> on how many gas appliances I have already. I don't need the garage
> heated all that often, but would sure like to be able to fire up a
> furnace when I need to.
>
> Is it easy to convert the furnace to propane? and is it worth it?

At that age changing out the orifices would be very difficult even if
it were ever possible. I doubt it's worth it.

I'd get one of these which'd be a lot more flexible and compact:
http://www.mrheater.com/products.asp

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

Posted by maurice on September 22, 2006, 3:14 pm
Thanks for the advice, both posters.

I was wondering if it was possible, only because I don't want to throw
away a perfectly good furnace, and I know this thing is probably only
worth $100. I didn't want to use a space heater, because I will only
use it occasionally, but when I do, I'd like to be able to heat it
quickly.

Tank price isn't a problem, I have a couple of portable tanks I can
use, and shouldn't have to refill all that often if I'm not using it
often (probably only about once a week, for 6-8 hours.)

I'll check with the manufacturer to see if I can get parts, in any
event.

Thanks, I'll let you know how it works out.

Maurice


Posted by hallerb@aol.com on September 22, 2006, 8:43 pm


> Tank price isn't a problem, I have a couple of portable tanks I can
> use, and shouldn't have to refill all that often if I'm not using it
> often (probably only about once a week, for 6-8 hours.)
>
> I'll check with the manufacturer to see if I can get parts, in any
> event.
>
> Thanks, I'll let you know how it works out.
>
> MauriWhat size tanks do you have? You need LARGE tanks at least a 100 pounds
LP each and probably way more. Will need multiple tanks too.

To get a idea look at the size of the supply line to your furnace, they
use a LOT of gas..

Too small tanks wouldnt be able to supply enough BTUs to get the heat
exchanger hot enough for good heat transfer and worse you will empty
those tanks fast:(

Had a friend with a serious house fire in winter, utilities cut off for
safety.

Bought a nice big bullet heater so we could work. didnt do much with
those 20 pund tanks.

ended up buying a small bullet heater to spot heat one room at a time


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