Just curious, can a natural gas water heater be converted to run on liquid propane?
Is it just a matter of changing out the burner in the base?
Bob,
Isn't propane more expensive to run? Do I assume correctly that you're considering this option should there be an interruption in NG?
I too am considering propane to augment my electric hot water. My plan is to plumb in the propane hot water tank in parallel with the electric. A couple valve turns, flick off the ele. breaker and fire up the pilot light on the propane and it's off of electric and running on propane. The only reason it's not done already as it's going to be a bit of a chore at my house to do the exhaust vent. Being all electric, I don't have an exhaust stack anywhere.
Yes, propane is more expensive. But if I can actually get off the grid it will require some combination of solar PV panels for electricity, plus solar hot water collection, and then some sort back up heat which would be either propane, natural gas, or wood. Just trying to think through all the alternatives, not sure which way to go with parts of the system.
Throw in a propane boiler and an indirect water heater. Set it for cold start and tie in a coil in your air handler. All the heat and hot water you will ever need. As cheap as they are and the little bit of fuel they run when not heating the house it is the best setup for cheap hot water. I have been running mine for 6 years now.
I think I set my priority for the coil in the air handler.Would have to climb up and look at the relay box to be sure.
Bob,
Isn't propane more expensive to run? Do I assume correctly that you're considering this option should there be an interruption in NG?
I too am considering propane to augment my electric hot water. My plan is to plumb in the propane hot water tank in parallel with the electric. A couple valve turns, flick off the ele. breaker and fire up the pilot light on the propane and it's off of electric and running on propane. The only reason it's not done already as it's going to be a bit of a chore at my house to do the exhaust vent. Being all electric, I don't have an exhaust stack anywhere.