2006-11-23 01:56:46 · 6 answers · asked by kevin 1 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It is made for natural gas. But I want to use propane.
2006-11-23 02:10:50 · update #1
You said the heater is set up for natural gas, and your want to use it on propane gas. So, lets look at the two types of gas before we look at ways of converting the equipment.
Natural gas is made up mostly of methane gas (CH4). Each molecule of methane gas has one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. A cubic foot of natural gas (12” X 12” X 12”) typically has 1000 BTU’s and the gas is delivered to the burner orifice(s) at a pressure of 3.5 inches water column which is the pressure it would take to push water up a straw 3.5”.
Each molecule of propane gas has three atoms of carbon, and eight atoms of hydrogen. A cubic foot of propane gas has 2,500 BTU’s, and is delivered to the burner orifice(s) at a pressure of 11 inches water column.
Heaters are typically designed to consume a certain number of BTU’s, and so, the manufacturer will size the burner orifice(s) to control the number of BTU’s. For a given number of BTU's, a burner set up for propane will have orifice(s) that have a much smaller hole(s) since the fuel is much richer, and is delivered at a greater pressure.
Manufacturers usually supply propane conversion kits for appliances that are designed to be converted. Sometimes a knowledgeable technician can convert an older appliance that doesn’t have a conversion kit available. This type of conversion should only be done by a skilled technician. As hillbilly said in an earlier response, an untrained person (DIY) should not attempt a conversion like this as such a conversion, if done improperly, can create a dangerous, and possibly deadly condition.
2006-11-25 14:03:40 · answer #1 · answered by furnaceman.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They aren't as popular in our area as they were a few years ago - - - - some health warnings - don't know if they've been outlawed or not. We're on propane - - - got "gas logs" for our fireplace some years back - at that time we were offerred vented (flue damper needs to be open) or unvented (damper could be closed). Even then, the contractor warned that with the unvented we would have condensation on windows and walls and possible odors - - that was enough for us to decide on the vented. (And we have to clean the fake logs often because of soot from the "clean" propane). Sorry I can't give you a definitive answer - but I wouldn't use anything unvented. ADDED: I got a Thumbdown . . . . and some responders (like Kilowatt) sound more authoritative than I . . . . . . but I think it's logical to accept that 1) there have to be by-products of combustion, not matter how "clean" the fuel burns 2) why would you want anything that depletes the oxygen in your home? We also have a hi-efficiency propane furnace: it sucks in outside air for combustion, blows-out the combustion gases.......has all sorts of safeguards that shut it down if it isn't working perfectly. I'm wondering how many of those features a room heater has.
2016-05-22 22:32:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take the heater to the gas company where you get your bottles filled and ask them if the heater can be converted. most cannot.
at any rate, this is not a diy project.
Possum
2006-11-23 08:31:59 · answer #3 · answered by hillbilly named Possum 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's set for propane you can. Otherwise you would have to change the orifice.
2006-11-23 02:06:52 · answer #4 · answered by jepa8196 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if that is the type of fuel that it calls for.
2006-11-23 01:59:30 · answer #5 · answered by Thomas S 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you must install a conversion kit.
2006-11-23 01:59:06 · answer #6 · answered by Dawg 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋