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We dropped our elec bill considerably by switching to a gas dryer, and using the BBQ more (also propane). Almost $120.
We go through a 4 gal tank of propane in about 4 weeks on the dryer. Less on the BBQ. Thinking of switching to gas W/H - not a tankless though (we dont like the H/C flucuation we have experienced in the past). So a savings overall of $70+.
We didnt get the 125 gal tank. $8 a month + on lease was one factor. We have 4 little 4 gals that work just fine. Easy to fill for all of us, and we watch price flucuations and save a little as we can. Okay it did cost SB about $5 to make a rectangle tank stand for my car so they dont roll around in the back when I take one or two to fill.
Catherine Dumond
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Cat; from your post, it sounds like you are connecting each tank up individually, Is that the case? I was thinking along the lines of plumbing the propane in during construction. Really want to stay away from flexible lines with propane. The stuff can turn any low spot it gathers in into a bomb. Also would rather not have 5 gal tanks siting beside each appliance. or do you manifold the tanks together and valve off as they empty?
dick wilson
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We opted for the 250? gallon tank for the convenience. This is because I'm basically lazy and know in a few years, I'll have no desire to wrestle a propane tank of any size. Filling up 12, 5 gallon containers of gas and diesel just reinforced that point. Yea, it's an extra $8 per month, but then again, I can't do a round trip to Hilo for $8 either. Call the Gas Company in Hilo and talk to Gwen, she can tell you if delivery may be an option, use your TMK/address. Trying beat price fluctuation is probably like trying to time the market, but then again, you can't choose what day you buy from HELCO either.
Dick, I'd go with the plumbing option even if you don't go with a big tank. We had a lag between when we needed LP and when our tank was installed, just hooked in a 40 pounder.
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David
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Thanks David; That's pretty much my thought on the matter. With propane you need to be able to maintain about 9" WC at all times at the appliances. And maifolding at a main tank just looks more viable.
dick wilson
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while looking at houses last week, we noticed different sizes of tanks. what surprised us was that some of them were "strapped" down. people ripping them off?
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We were advised to strap down, larger gas tanks also electric water heaters because of earthquakes!
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You may want to size up your propane storage since there is only one propane refinery in the islands and last year (or the year before) they were down for about five weeks and everyone was running out of propane. We are backing up our on-demand gas water heater with some solar panels as soon as we get around to installing them. I'm also planning on setting up a wood fired cooking area in the back yard so if we run out of propane again there will be options. A solar ovens might be easier to build though.
Propane runs about the same price as gasoline, which is somewhere just under or over $5 a gallon, isn't it?
A solar clothes dryer is a much less expensive alternative to even a gas dryer. All you need is a bit of quarter inch rope or plastic covered wire and some clothespins.
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Kurt Wilson
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We use a clothesline whenever possible, unfortunately there are just days when line drying just doesn't work. Planing on lines on the Lanai to lessen need to run dryer. If I can get home delivery, I plan on a 100 plus gallon tank, plus a manifold to enable using 5 gal tanks as backup storage. Planning on solar on grid system. Already reduced our electric bill here by 40%, hope to do better using solar there.
dick wilson
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quote:
Originally posted by DickWilson
Cat; from your post, it sounds like you are connecting each tank up individually, Is that the case? I was thinking along the lines of plumbing the propane in during construction. Really want to stay away from flexible lines with propane. The stuff can turn any low spot it gathers in into a bomb. Also would rather not have 5 gal tanks siting beside each appliance. or do you manifold the tanks together and valve off as they empty?
dick wilson
Right now the dryer is on the first floor open storage area so we hooked a tank up directly. Open air, plenty breeze not in a closet. The relatively portable BBQ is on our deck 2nd floor. Again on the deck, open air. It made no sense (yet) to mainfold them together.
If we go to a gas W/H we will go with a bigger tank that feeds dryer and W/H. Right now - ours (for dryer) is in a legal spot. Probably a 20 gal that WE purchase, but gas company will fill would be the next step.
-Cat
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quote:
Originally posted by hikatz
We were advised to strap down, larger gas tanks also electric water heaters because of earthquakes!
okay. was just wondering why. that makes sense. i thought people were ripping them off. shame on me for thinking the worst.
"chaos reigns within.
reflect, repent and reboot.
order shall return."
microsoft error message with haiku poetry
"a great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."
w. james
