Furnace Conversion - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums

Original message

LindaKay

66.82.9.109

"Furnace Conversion" , posted Wed 27 Aug 02:59

Is it possible to convert the propane furnace that I have now into all electric or do I have to buy a new furnace? It has an electric start if that helps.

Thanks in advance!

Replies:

midwayice

24.187.109.126

"Re(1):Furnace Conversion" , posted Sat 30 Aug 14:01

I don't know how cold it gets there in Kansas. We don't use heat pumps here in Jersey because they lose effieciency in colder temperatures, so I don't have experience with them. However, if it's just heat your interested in, and there's no natural gas available, don't rule out today's efficient oil heat equipment. Oil gives you 140,000 BTU per gal. per hour (50 pct. more than propane). A good local oil dealer can give you free estimate and spread your payments over 12 months, (budget plan).You shouldn't use anywhere near 2000 gal. per year.

theduke03

68.9.234.3

"Re(1):Furnace Conversion" , posted Wed 27 Aug 16:48

It may be possible to install electric heaters in the plenum above the furnace but for the cost of installation plus the fact that electric heat is much more costly I would never reccomend it.

"My dad was the most feared furnace fighter in Northern Indiana."

Jojo98

68.60.207.210

"Re(2):Furnace Conversion" , posted Wed 27 Aug 22:32

Propane has a heating value of 91,502 Btu/gal
Electric heat has a heating value of 1kW-h per 1kW
If you burn 1 gal of propane in 1 hour you get 91,502 Btu's
If you run a 15 kW heater for 1 hour you get 51120 Btu's
If you want a cheaper alternative look into heat pumps.

LindaKay

66.82.162.13

"Re(3):Furnace Conversion" , posted Thu 28 Aug 02:13

Can you elaborate on the heat pumps? Are they an extension or a whole new puppy?

Any info you could give me would really be appreciated!

Thanks!

LindaKay

66.82.162.13

"Re(2):Furnace Conversion" , posted Wed 27 Aug 17:57

Since I'm ignorant when it comes to this I'll say I don't understand what you mean. Do you mean you think it's cheaper to run propane this winter rather than a total electric furnace? I usually use approx. 2000-2500 gals of propane for 2 heaters and a stove. My propane company said it's $2.45 this year.

Or do you mean it would be cheaper to buy a total electric furnace rather than converting the gas furnace over?

Thanks very much!!!

theduke03

68.9.234.3

"Re(3):Furnace Conversion" , posted Wed 27 Aug 18:41

I'm not familiar with electric rates in your area but what I'm saying is that propane is cheaper than electricity.

"My dad was the most feared furnace fighter in Northern Indiana."

LindaKay

66.82.162.13

"Re(4):Furnace Conversion" , posted Thu 28 Aug 02:18

My electric rates run 7.746 cents.

kWh/Month: 1000 .......... $96.83

Propane this year approx. $2.45.

I don't know how to figure up which would be cheaper. Actually I would rather pay a bigger sum monthly for electric furnace than shell out $1200 a shot to fill up a propane tank.

What do you suggest?

yuri

142.161.109.218

"Re(5):Furnace Conversion" , posted Thu 28 Aug 12:10:

That sounds VERY reasonable for electricity. We pay about that in Manitoba and export a lot to the US. Propane is ridiculously expensive here so I would convert to an electric furnace and get rid of yours. There may be some one time large costs to have a larger electrical panel and wiring installed to/in your house. An electric furnace needs at least 100 amps. Check with your electric company, they may have an engineer on staff who can give you a cost comparison for different fuels vs electricity. Heat pumps may be a good choice also. Only an engineer can give you the costs/payback as it depends on your average climate/minimum low temps etc. Heat pumps are usually shut down at say -10F as it may be more economical to run straight electric. Has to do with thermodynamics etc.

Here is some food for thought;
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/home_energy_costs.shtml
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/home_heating_comparisons.pdf

Yuri

[this message was edited by yuri on Thu 28 Aug 12:16]

LindaKay

66.82.162.13

"Re(6):Furnace Conversion" , posted Thu 28 Aug 14:54

Yuri, Thank you so much for this information AND the links. I'm going to study this since I know NOTHING about the dynamics. I've never heard of heat pumps either.

I was just trying to find out if I'd be able to convert my original propane furnace over to electric or buy a new one.

I'm going to call my electric company for comparisons. I agree, I think electric (with heat pumps?) would be the way to go. I'm tired of worrying about the propane all the time.

Thank you so much.

yuri

142.161.113.174

"Re(7):Furnace Conversion" , posted Sun 31 Aug 10:48:

A heat pump is essentially a air conditioner which runs backwards (reverses its cycle) to give you heat instead of A/C. It also does A/C in the summer.

Check this link:
http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/publications/infosource/pub/home/heating-heat-pump/asheatpumps.cfm

They look like this;

http://www.lennox.com/products/list.asp?type=6

Yuri

[this message was edited by yuri on Sun 31 Aug 10:49]