What Are Propane Furnaces?
Furnaces that use propane instead of natural gas are called “propane furnaces.” The popularity of propane as a fuel is growing due to recent natural gas shortages and higher-priced fuels.
Propane is also easier to transport than natural gas because it uses pipelines for distribution, which eliminates the need for special trucks. It is often used in RVs and recreational vehicles because of its small size and convenience. Although propane costs more per net BTU than gas, many users consider the added expense well worth it.
The Benefits of Propane Furnaces
A propane furnace is just what it sounds like – a furnace that runs on liquid propane gas. Propane is found in natural gas but must be processed out of it before it can be used as fuel for a variety of appliances, including stoves, fireplaces, outdoor grills & barbecues, clothes dryers, and heating systems. A lot of people have never considered using propane to heat their homes because they don’t know much about it, but there are some definite benefits to using propane furnaces:
Propane furnaces are very efficient – in fact, they’re often more than 90% efficient! That means that for every $1 you spend on propane, you’ll get nearly $0.90 worth of heat. Compare that to a furnace that runs on electricity, which is only about 60% efficient, and you can see why so many people are making the switch to propane.
Propane furnaces are easier to maintain than electric furnaces. The components of a propane furnace are sealed, meaning there’s nothing to expose to air and catch dust or dirt. Electric furnaces, on the other hand, have many exposed parts for dust and dirt to collect on – which means that you’ll have to clean them more often.
You can save money by not having a separate ventilation system for your propane furnace. Instead of running a vent from your unit up through your home and out through your roof – an expensive proposition – you simply use the existing cold-air return ducts already installed in most homes today with any heating system.
How Do You Install a Propane Furnace?
You install a propane furnace similarly to how you would install any other type of furnace. The process usually consists of the following steps:
- Decide on where your propane lines will run
- Have an opening cut in the wall
- Drill holes through the floor
- Connect pipes
- Secure cables
- Test connections
- Take final measurements
- Complete final test runs
- Make adjustments as needed
Should I Hire an Expert To Install My Propane Furnace?
Propane is considered a “low pressure” gas. Compared to natural gas, propane is relatively safe and easy to install. However, if you do not feel comfortable installing a propane furnace on your own or running the necessary piping through your home, it may be best to hire a professional installer.
Even if you are more experienced with this kind of work, some cities require permits for all plumbing installations- even those that use low-pressure gas. If you need help finding an installer or have questions about installation requirements in your area, contact a local HVAC contractor or talk with someone at your city’s building department office.
