Posts: 526
Threads: 11
Joined: Oct 2006
We have a larger propane tank (23 gal.) and get between five and seven months between fillings.The tank supplies our range, the Takagi and the rarely used gas dryer. But, realistically, with the Solahart water heating, the range by far uses the bulk of the propane. If you are on-grid then the built-in electric heater of the Solahart is a fairly invisible way of keeping the water hot and minimizes electricity consumption though I would still prefer propane as a backup, it's just so much less expensive over the long run. We dumped electric tank water heaters several houses back as soon as we had gas available.
Posts: 2,149
Threads: 90
Joined: Feb 2006
Has anyone convertede to solar water heating in the middle level of HPP? What were your savings on HELCO bill?
Thanks,
Jerry
Posts: 80
Threads: 22
Joined: Jul 2007
Well I found out the propane powers the clothes dryer and the oven as well. I was definitely glad to hear. Also, some here mentioned having to haul tanks around. The tank is a fixed one. I have figured out that I'd like to use a on-demand propane water heater. Now all I need is a recommendation for where to go when I want to get this all set up. I've gotten an idea of how much the heater themselves cost, but can anybody recommend a particular company on the east side to do the install?
Posts: 589
Threads: 20
Joined: May 2006
Regarding installation, if you get a Rinnai (Ferguson's carries that brand), they will give you names of Rinnai certified installers. Rinnai will honor the warranty only if a certified installer does the work. We used Eddie's Plumbing, I think they're in Shipman Park. They did a good job for us.
Posts: 80
Threads: 22
Joined: Jul 2007
I want to pick up the 199k btu outdoor Paloma unit from Home Depot. The reason is the interest-deferred financing. Will installers have any problem doing the job if you purchase it on your own? Any recommendations?
Posts: 3,188
Threads: 216
Joined: Sep 2007
I have been picking up 85,000 btu units ... incl 3day priority for $239.00 fleabay 3 year replacement warranty (good idea for off brand units) $20.00
I bought two of them one runs the (small) house, laundry dishes and shower 10 liters (2.6 gallons) per minute 45 degree rise, I think they claim 80 hrs on a 20 propane lb tank
the other is wall mounted outside shower on the lanai -
I use three 20 lb cylinders in rotation between the 2
Posts: 1,727
Threads: 29
Joined: Feb 2006
I would suspect you have the electric water heater because usually if a house is originally built with all electric appliances then there isn't a hook-up charge for the electricity. At least that's the way it used to be, perhaps they have changed it since I last built a house on the grid.
We have a Bosch on-demand water heater bought from Sauces & Propane in Honokaa. Interesting place and they have good efficient appliances. As well as sauces and propane. The Bosch doesn't need a vent and it is installed on the outside of the house. It was a very easy installation, you could probably do it yourself if you wanted.
If someone is charging $100 to switch natural gas appliances to propane appliances, I want their job! Frequently, it is just a switch to slide over. If you want to change a natural gas stove to a propane stove look underneath the oven temperature knob and see if you find the switch.
"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson
Posts: 1,679
Threads: 203
Joined: Dec 2005
I think there maybe a bid more to switching from natural gas to propane. When I bought our range and dryer I had to re-jet them with larger orifices in the burners. Heaters may be different though.
Royall
What goes around comes around!
Posts: 2,014
Threads: 46
Joined: Jun 2003
Re LP conversion... We brought 3 of the cast iron stove type fireplaces over from the mainland. They were factory set up for natural gas. The LP conversion kits included a new control for the regulator and smaller orifices for the pilot and main burner.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
Posts: 4,533
Threads: 241
Joined: Jan 2006
quote:
...adequate gas plumbing and sometimes place to route a condensate tube. The high burner on a stove might put out 15,000 BTU but the burner on a on-demand water heater may have a 100,000 BTU burner. Such a burner will probably require 3/4 inch plumbing from the tank all the way to the heater. If the tank is more than 50' from the heater, you may need 1". The manual for the water heater will tell you what the plumbing requirements are. The manufacturer web sites will generally have manuals...
For others info because I spent a lot of time looking this up just last week for someone:
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/propan...d_827.html
Catherine Dumond
Blue Water Project Management
808 965-9261
"We help make building your dream home a reality"
