A common concern among home owners is whether you can run a furnace on propane. In this article, we will offer you a detailed explanation into its answer. In addition, we will offer you a clear insight into whether you can convert a natural gas furnace with propane. Read ahead to learn more about it.
Furnace run on propane
A furnace can run on propane. In fact, many furnaces are primarily designed to run on propane. And if you are dealing with a natural gas furnace, you can later convert it into one that operates using propane. Note that the propane furnaces offer the same level of energy efficiency.
Propane is considered as a more sustainable mean compared to natural gas; it is more energy efficient. This is why many people want to opt for propane in order to run their furnace. The good news is that you can run a furnace on propane, whether it is meant for it or not.
In order to run a furnace on propane, you will either have to buy one that is designed to run on this fuel or you can use one that is meant for natural gas. You can easily convert a furnace meant for natural gas to propane-run one.
However, you should remember that it is not as quick as natural gas. So keep in mind that there are several things to consider. That being said, you can enjoy several benefits by running your furnace with propane.
If you are trying to convert your furnace from natural gas to propane, all you will have to do is change the fuel source using a conversion kit. This will compensate for the differing pressure inside the unit. And you will be able to use propane for the furnace without any trouble.
Note that a furnace will use about a thousand gallons of propane a year. So you will need to prepare such a supply if you are planning on an intensive use. However, this is much less than what you would have to use in case of furnace run by natural gas. In addition, propane is often considered much better than natural gas.
Propane is better than natural gas because it is cleaner, greener and much more energy efficient than natural gas. Note that most houses in the cold regions depend on a furnace to keep their houses warm. But in order to maintain a smooth operation, propane is growing increasingly popular.
Can you run a natural gas furnace on propane?
Yes, you can run natural gas furnaces on propane. In fact, a lot of people are converting their furnaces to work on propane. In order to run your natural gas furnace, you will need to convert it.
Natural gas furnaces are designed differently than propane. These furnaces are designed to work with natural gas and not propane. So you will need to regulate this factor and convert the furnace at the first place in order to run it on propane.
This conversion is growing increasingly popular nowadays because propane is energy efficient. And it is much greener than natural gas. In addition, there is a scarcity of natural gas while propane is still available in abundance. All these considered, it is always better to run your furnace on propane. And you can easily run your natural gas furnace on propane, all you will need to do is convert the unit.
What happens if you run a natural gas furnace on propane?
Here’s what might happen if you run a natural gas furnace on propane. Read ahead to learn more about it:
Greener alternative:
Natural gas is quite energy consuming while propane is much more energy-efficient. In order to run your natural gas furnace, you will need to spend a lot of bucks as well as it is quite costly to use natural gas, both for yourself and your state.
So if you run your natural gas on propane, it will turn out to be a much greener alternative. You will end up doing much less harm to the environemnt compared to what you would do while using natural gas.
Propane is much less scarce in the nature in comparison to natural gas, so it is definitely a better alternative. In addition, it causes much less pollution so it is a greener alternative to natural gas.
More affordable:
Propane is much more affordable than natural gas. Propane is more abundant in the nature in comparison to natural gas. So you will be able to save a lot of money when you are running your furnace on propane instead of natural gas.
Natural gas is delivered to you home via a pipeline in gaseous form. So it is much costlier, for you as well as the state. On the other hand, propane is available in canisters and you will be able to save a lot while using this as the fuel for your furnace.
Propane is energy efficient:
Propane is much more energy efficient in comparison to natural gas. Propane produces much higher levels of energy compared to natural gas. Propane produces almost twice as much as energy as natural gas.
So when you run your furnace on propane instead of natural gas, you will able to produce more energy with much less fuel. This will therefore prove to be quite energy efficient.
How much does it cost to convert a natural gas furnace to propane?
It is growing increasingly popular to convert a natural gas furnace to propane. In order to ensure that your furnace works on propane instead of natural gas, you should convert it. Note that it might cost you a few hundred bucks.
In order to convert a natural gas furnace to propane, you will have to count between 275 USD to 800 USD. This price range is for the case where you are renting the propane tank. On the other hand, if you are buying the propane tank, then it will cost a little more. In that case, you will have to count between 1900 to 4900 USD.
How do you convert a gas furnace to propane?
If you want to convert a gas furnace to propane, you will have to take care of a few things. Below are the steps that you can follow in order to convert a gas furnace to propane.
Cut the power:
You will firstly have to cut the power to the furnace. Then you should proceed to disconnect all gas supply to the furnace. In addition, unwire all the electrical cords that were connected to the furnace.
Install new spring:
Now you should install a new spring. You will have to remove the rollout switch for this purpose and use the control valve to install the new spring. Afterward, you will have to get rid of the pipes in an attempt to reach the gas control valve.
Make sure to remove the pressure regulator adjustment screw once you are done with this step.
Change the orifice:
Now you should change the orifice using the adjustment cap given in the conversion kit. You will have to remove the orifices that are placed inside the manifold, then replace it with the orifices included in the conversion kit.
Remove screws of the fuel panel:
Now you will have to remove the screws that are attached to the fuel panel. Then you will have to remove the assembly of the burner. For this, you will first have to change the screws that are attached to the air sheild, holding them up.
Now you should take out the spoiler screws from the conversion kit and screw them tightly into the unit.
Reattach:
Now you will have to reattach the entire unit, including all the screws that you had previously unscrewed. You will have to firstly replace the top air shield. Afterward, make sure to change the burner assembly. This will help you convert the unit.
Then you should reattach the pipes to the burner of the furnace. After that, you should reconnect all the electrical wires that you had disconnected in order to run the furnace again.
You will also have to reconnect the flame sensor and the rollout switch. Then you will have to replace the access door of the burner, and the conversion is completed. Then the furnace is good to run with natural gas.
Final Thoughts
You can run a furnace on propane. This will prove to be more energy efficient as well as greener in comparison to natural gas. In addition, this will cost you much less than natural gas as well. Make sure that you have converted the furnace using a conversion kit in order to run it on propane.