Is it possible to change btu's? - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| northstar1958
 |  "Is it possible to change btu's?"
, posted Sat 6 Sep 22:24  
Gentlemen:
I have a 100,000 btu Tempstar 90 (high efficiency) LP home furnace. It has 4 burners, is it possible to plug one of the burners off so only three fire? I've got to much furnace for the size of house i have. It looks like i could just plug one of the end orifices, have three fire instead of four, and end up with a 75,000 btu furnace. Is this possible? Is this do-able? In reality i only need a 50,000 btu furnace. Would doing this save me any fuel? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Northstar
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Replies:
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| dwcaveney
| "Re(1):Is it possible to change btu's?" , posted Sun 7 Sep 20:56
This is from the Department of Energy Web Site:
Derating gas burners
Many boilers and furnaces in today's homes are oversized, particularly if you've upgraded the energy efficiency of your home. It is sometimes possible to reduce the heating capacity of your gas boiler or furnace to make it operate more efficiently by reducing the size of the gas burner orifice, and possibly also the baffles. This is a difficult process that should only be performed by a qualified technician, and in some cases, it could violate local building codes and void manufacturer's warranties. If allowed, though, the modifications should cost less than $100 and can save up to 15% of your fuel costs.
DW
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| tinner73
| "Re(1):Is it possible to change btu's?" , posted Sat 6 Sep 23:25
not recommended. just get the right furnace
union trained in Chicago
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| | northstar1958
| "Re(2):Is it possible to change btu's?" , posted Mon 8 Sep 13:00
Thanks for the reply's. I was going over the furnace manual and it does state that this furnace has a standard 100,000 btu rating but also has an alternate rating of 80,000 btu by changing the orifice's to a #55. Since i'm no expert, does that mean what it says? An 80,000 btu furnace can be made from a 100,000 btu by simply changing the orifices? Thanks again for the input. Also, changing the furnace out to a lower btu is not an option for me at this time.
Northstar
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| | yuri
| "Re(2):Is it possible to change btu's?" , posted Sun 7 Sep 12:17:
Not recommended, can be dangerous and usually is illegal due to UL codes etc. It won't really save $$ as the unit will just run longer to do the dame job. If propane is too expensive consider an electric furnace and heat pump. Contact your electric co and see if they have cost comparison info for you. Check this out:
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/home_energy_costs.shtml
Yuri
[this message was edited by yuri on Sun 7 Sep 12:19] |
| | yuri
| "Re(3):Is it possible to change btu's?" , posted Mon 8 Sep 19:55
Probably cost $200-$300 or more for a tech to do it plus orifices etc. Won't pay for itself IMO. Have to change baffles etc? Damn dangerous if you ask me.
Yuri
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| | Zzz
| "Re(4):Is it possible to change btu's?" , posted Sun 28 Sep 22:01
yuri I see you as an idiot and would regret the day someone like you ever came to fix my stuff. Parts changer!
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