2006-12-29 16:56:11 · 15 answers · asked by shorty m 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Your question leaves too much room for misinterpretation and assumptions. If you would like an appropriate answer to such a technical question, you should provide clear concise detail on what you are trying to accomplish.
Yahoo gives you plenty of room to provide such detail. Here are some tips on additional information you should provide. The more detail you provide the more concise and accurate your answers will be.
1.Given the fact that this is a rather unorthodox installation, give some background as to why you would what to do this.
2.Is this a permanent or temporary installation?
3.Are you referencing a portable propane cylinder such as a 20# grill cylinder, or are you referring to a permanently installed bulk propane tank?
4.If you are referencing a portable propane cylinder are you asking if the tank can be indoors?
5. Is the water heater new, or used, is it designed to operate on propane or nat. gas?
If you will ask your question again providing such detail as listed above, you will find that you receive many more technically accurate answers.
2006-12-29 23:19:15 · answer #1 · answered by lpgnh3 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most natural gas hot water tanks do not convert to propane, also called Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Propane is heavier than air and most hot water tank burners are not designed to burn this gas safely.
You have to check with the water heater manufacturer for a conversion kit. Also, your local building codes must be followed as far as proper placement of the tank, running the lines, and proper hookup.
Rheem has a model that will convert from natural gas to propane.
Your local propane dealer may have more information for you.
The tank must be specifically designed to use propane as fuel. Otherwise, No. Do not hook up a propane tank. An explosion may result when the gas ignites.
2006-12-29 18:16:19 · answer #2 · answered by AngeloElectro 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just don't expect to get much hot water out of a Bernz-O-Matic bottle! That might run your heater for a half-hour or less! But yes, some are made to run on propane, others natural gas. If you can run it on propane, you'd need a 20 or 30 pound tank, minimum. -And OUTSIDE the house, per code.
2006-12-29 18:44:00 · answer #3 · answered by BuddyL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO NO NO NO NO NO
If your tank in the house is not propane then you CANT DO IT.
Tanks are made for Nat-gas or propane.
You can buy a conversion kit to change them to either 1
The problem is the orfice in the hot water tank.
Now if you have a propane HWT and you want to use a tank from a grill or something (You can do it and it would work) BUT IN NO WAY am I saying this is a good idea to do.
Im a Plumber 20yrs plus and I have seen people do things likes this and 4yrs ago someone did It and well lets say this He is no longer around to tell any good stories.
Goodluck
2006-12-29 18:36:32 · answer #4 · answered by Kos 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
So long as the heater is run on propane and you have a regulator for the tank. But I wouldn't trust some stranger over the net... Consult an expert in person before you blow your house up.
2006-12-29 16:59:48 · answer #5 · answered by Sgt. Shifty 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not a good idea, first of all the valves are different and it won't burn right, it may give off to much carbon monoxide and kill everyone in the house. Consider that.
My hot water tank up North, in Minnesota was propane, like everyone Else's but they were also "changed" over for it.
2006-12-29 21:33:47 · answer #6 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The burner orifice for propane is much smaller than the one for natural gas. If you put propane through a natural gas orifice it likely would form a mixture that was too rich to burn, but if it did finally ignite, it would likely tear your exhaust ducting apart with the explosion and probably light the house on fire.
I would guess that your local or state codes would actually require conversion work on a water heater to be done by a qualified gas plumber.
2006-12-29 18:00:46 · answer #7 · answered by Coach 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
is the water heater a propane heater? or natural gas? makes a difference, things might go boom! i would do the hook up outside if i were to do it, not inside the house.
2006-12-29 17:01:10 · answer #8 · answered by car dude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can if the inside water tank has the right orfice, If it was on propane before it will be fine. If it was on natural gas, you will need to go down to the gas company and get the proper orfice for propane.
2006-12-29 17:10:06 · answer #9 · answered by lonetraveler 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes but, the heater has to be rated for propane.
2006-12-29 17:01:58 · answer #10 · answered by zen522 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋