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12-27-2018, 05:16 PM | #1 |
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Propane usage ???
I'm new to propane gas user, with new home purchase this past June,
coming from oil heat, and concerned about my propane usage ? I have a 2200 SF house, which is 14 yrs old, very well insulated, Marvin windows, gas furnace with separate hot water heater. We keep the thermostats at 68 degrees in the main living area durning the day, then lower to 65 degrees at night. The upstairs bedrooms are kept at a constant 65 degrees. I had 356 gal delivered on 12/6 to fill the tank (500 gal in ground, they only fill tank to 80-85%) and another 193 gal delivered today (12/27), which means I've burned about 10 gal per day ! The gas delivery driver did note that the gas regulator was covered with frost/ice, and the same with the gas hose line to the house ( Is this normal ?) 10 gal propane usage per day seems rather excessive ! Furnace was turned up in Sept., and assuming all was good? Does 10 gal per day seem like a normal usage ? We don't keep the house really warm, but comfortable, it's not like we're sitting around in our underwear, and wife is compiling she's always cold. Thanks, Bigdog |
12-27-2018, 05:45 PM | #2 |
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You may have a leak.
Tell them to bring out the sniffer. |
12-27-2018, 06:43 PM | #3 |
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Propane has fewer BTUs per gallon than fuel oil (92,000 BTU / gal for propane vs 140,000 BTUs /gal for #2 oil or roughly 50% less energy content per gallon for propane). If you were using 5 to 6 gallons a day in similar weather with oil in your old house assuming it was of similar size, what you’re seeing now is probably in the ballpark.
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" Any day with a boat ride in it is a good day" Last edited by ursa minor; 12-27-2018 at 06:46 PM. Reason: Oops, saw this is first winter in new house. |
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12-27-2018, 06:54 PM | #4 |
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It seems strange to do your homework after the fact
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12-27-2018, 08:20 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
You really should have somebody who knows this stuff to take a look at your setup. There are a few things I do know only because I did a ton of research into this stuff when I re-did the propane service to my camp. First thing you need to do is find out what the draw is off your system based on the consumption of all of your appliances. The next thing to do is to ensure you have things plumbed appropriately so that you can move sufficient volume based on the total maximum consumption of all your appliances. This includes ensuring that the diameter of the feed lines is correct. Next is to look at your regulator which should be a two stage. Regulators also need to be capable of handing the flow demand. If you are icing up that indicates to me you either have a possible leak or your demand is exceeding the flow capacity. Flow and or draw of each appliance is measured in inches of water column per PSI of flow. Regulators are sized for the amount of flow they can handle. Furthermore there is a bleed off on the regulator if the pressure in the system builds up to high and it will actually "vent" mechanically if it needs to. With a tank as large as you have, that should provide ample surface area for boil off to create the gas needed to feed the house, however, the colder it gets the more difficult it is for the liquid to boil off and produce gas and less pressure. It is actually possible to freeze up a tank under the right conditions. Keep in mind like any fuel there is humidity and condensation that can occur in the take so that when present can restrict or all out block flow should it get cold enough. Temps below zero is where this can really become a problem. That's about the extent of my understanding so the bottom line is if you are building ice on your regulator and supply line that could indicate a problem, one that is probably best diagnosed and handled by somebody that knows what they are doing. I can tell you that when I did my system over, I chose to plumb the house with 1/2 feed lines, one to my heater and a separate one to my range in the kitchen, they are fed off a manifold coming out of the regulator. The regulator I chose was a dual stage that was capable of handling a flow approximately 3 times my actual draw (at the moment) thinking if I add any other appliances I have some capacity to accommodate that need. I am somewhat restricted in the fact I draw off of two 100 pound bottles at the same time so the surface area for boil off is limited. That said I have operated both the heater and range in temps well below zero and never had any sign of ice build up. Take this for what it's worth, I am by no means a professional and did after installing everything have it checked by a licensed gas guy who not only gave the system a second leak test (I did the first) but also confirmed that my install and choice of materials used was well suited for my needs. |
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12-27-2018, 08:39 PM | #6 | |
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Propane vs Oil
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Some other factors to consider when comparing the two fuels: Pros of heating with Propane Propane gas generally has a lower cost per gallon than heating oil Propane equipment typically runs more efficiently than heating oil equipment Propane produces almost no carbon dioxide when burned Propane heating equipment requires less maintenance and last longer than heating oil-based equipment, since propane burns cleaner Propane is stored as gas and is nontoxic and nonpoisonous, so it can’t pool and contaminate groundwater or soil if it leaks; that means propane tanks can be safely installed underground Propane appliances can be vented using regular PVC pipe through the roof or a wall rather than through a chimney Propane can also be used to power other high efficiency appliances such as ranges, water heaters, and pool heaters – all from the same fuel tank Cons of heating with Propane Propane produces fewer BTUs than oil heating Propane-burning equipment is typically more expensive up front than oil burning equipment Propane requires special safety precautions, since the gas is combustible in air Pros of heating with Fuel Oil Heating oil has a higher BTU output per gallon and is used up more slowly than propane – which could mean you will pay less to heat your house with heating oil, even if the per gallon cost of propane is less Oil-burning equipment generally costs less to purchase than propane-burning equipment Cons of heating with Fuel Oil Heating oil tanks – especially older steel-lined ones – can leak; an oil spill can be extremely costly to clean up, and it’s an expense that is often not covered by home owner’s insurance Heating oil prices are more volatile than propane, since most of the heating oil supply comes from off shore and is subject to global market forces; most propane is produced in the US Heating oil produces much more carbon dioxide gas than propane when burned Oil-burning appliances require more frequent cleaning and maintenance In an oil burning home, most other appliances – including water heaters, ranges, clothes dryers, etc.) are run by inefficient electricity rather than propane |
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12-28-2018, 05:21 AM | #7 |
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If you have a leak, it would be very very smelly, and very noticeable, and almost always comes from a fitting like a compression fitting done by the home owner with an el cheapo compression tool.
For good tight fittings, use a quality compression tool made by Rigid.
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12-28-2018, 07:54 AM | #8 | |
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12-28-2018, 07:59 AM | #9 | |
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12-28-2018, 08:03 AM | #10 |
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Think about adding a hyper mini split that throws heat and AC. It will heat cheaper than propane.
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12-28-2018, 08:06 AM | #11 | |
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12-28-2018, 08:09 AM | #12 |
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I installed quite a few Hyperheats with solar panels on roofs to supply the electricity for them. Course you could buy a lot of fuel for the cost of the panels, but I liked the idea.
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12-28-2018, 08:24 AM | #13 |
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I'm not a big solar fan because I'm not sure I will be there long enough to get the pay back. But I love the mini splits as a second heating system. I have oil heat and a wood stove but last summer was the first time I needed to put the window AC's in. I'm going to install a hyper mini split. Along with the AC it gives me a little piece of mind if the oil burner goes down.
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12-28-2018, 08:41 AM | #14 |
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Typically a propane company has to pressure test a system before filling. Proulx always did at our last house.
A frozen regulator can mean it was over filled as well. |
12-28-2018, 08:41 AM | #15 | |
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12-28-2018, 09:57 AM | #16 |
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Companies routinely over fill tanks in the winter. Why did Proulx do a pressure test, only a leak check is required unless new piping has been installed?
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12-28-2018, 10:22 AM | #17 |
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Doubt very much that you have a leak. Anyone installing or servicing gas appliances must be licensed and there is a very strict procedure that requires testing of all connections with a soap solution. If it were in your house you would have a distinct rotten egg smell. If you want to be sure get a bottle of Dawn dish soap and a small paint brush. Go outside and brush liquid soap on all your connections from the tank to the house, If you have a leak you will see bubbles appear.
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12-28-2018, 11:17 AM | #18 | |
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Please be aware that dish soap contains chlorides and or chlorine and will corrode and or damage fittings and pipes. If you chose to use them wash the soap off after testing. |
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12-28-2018, 11:31 AM | #19 |
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Perhaps you meant carbon monoxide. Otherwise, the complete combustion of any hydrocarbon fuel oxides the carbon to CO2 and the hydrogen to H2O. Even the human body does that, although at body temperature. It may be noted, however, that the ratio of CO2 to H2O produced is least for methane (CH4), then ethane (C2H6), then for propane (C3H8). By the time you get up to the chain length of heating oil, 12 or more carbon atoms, the hydrogen/carbon ratio has settled down to around 2 to 1, giving around a 1:1 ratio of CO2 to H2O molecules in the flue gas. Of course, none of this is of any use to the OP's concern about rate of consumption. But it's a slow morning, looking out watching rain turn snow to slush.
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12-28-2018, 11:46 AM | #20 |
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Propane Usage per Day
Bigdog, I used about 15 gallons per day in November but my home is substantially bigger than 2200 sf (more than 3X built in 2003). And my house can be inefficient if the wind is blowing down the lake. Your usage looks a bit high to me. Worth investigating if the furnace/water heater are operating efficiently, as well as the other possibilities raised above. Good luck.
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12-28-2018, 03:11 PM | #21 | |
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Complete combustion of propane results in the formation of carbon dioxide and water vapour. Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion when there is not enough oxygen to burn the propane completely. The rest is above my pay grade. |
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12-29-2018, 03:03 PM | #22 |
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Propane Usage
Bigdog:
I realize the scale is dramatically different in my case but for comparative purposes: I have a 1400 sq ft Energy Star Rated home. We keep our thermostat at 66 day / 62 night. During December I have averaged 2 gallons per day of propane usage. My only other gas appliances are an on demand water heater and fireplace. I will state that running the fireplace for a 2-3 hours in the evening consumes an almost equitable amount of propane as a full days usage for the furnace. I have never noticed any icing on my propane tank or regulator. Hope this helps somewhat. |
01-05-2019, 09:00 PM | #23 |
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Propane prices are out of control this year. I just filled up at 3.49 with Amerigas. I looked at last year's old bills and it $1 more per gallon.
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