Your thoughts- LP or natural gas

[iceman510]

Hi,

Moved into a new house last fall. I converted it to Natural Gas, so I have the 500 gallon LP tank in the yard. I have a detached 30 x 26 garage that I want to provide heat to eventually (was heated but previous owner took the heater).

I am thinking two ways- 1. Keep the tank and move it near the garage, using LP only for the garage. Easier install as I don't need to run a new gas feeder from the house (probably 75~100 feet needed) avoiding the electrical conduit etc.

2. Just run the gas line, get it over with now. Hesitation on this is due to cost and effort needed now, versus wanting heat by this fall.

Can I get a heater that is LP now, EASILY converted to NG later or comes with both? I had a bit of a hassle getting the furnace guys to do the house furnace in a timely manner (3 trips for parts, really?).

I hate LP pricing, though down a bit now. Got away from it finally after 15 years on it at my previous domain.

Any thoughts, suggestions, pros-cons welcome. Also suggestions on how to move that huge, heavy propane tank.

Thanks.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I don't think there is any question.

If you can go with NG ... don't even give propane a second thought.

 

[iceman510]

And I'm a bit lost due to story inconsistency.
If he had a heater in the garage, that was valuable and of consequence to the gas story, logic dictates there is already a line from the house to the garage. I know how and why it would potentially be unusable.
You'll need to clarify.

The heater was propane, and the copper line is still in the ground, but not large enough for NG.

I was going to try selling the tank. Not sure the value.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I would bite the bullet and go Nat gas. No fill ups to deal with and buried tanks to mess with. Just my .02

 

[finn]

No question: Go with NG. It's a one shot deal, so bite the bullit now.

 

[volleyball]

Maybe insulate the garage better and get a convertible heater that will work with existing line using NG.
Could be the cheapest overall solution.
I guess a related question is if the electrical capicity is up to snuff

 

[iceman510]

Double check that the tank is not a rental.
It will be in your escrow documents as to whether it is yours or not.
They are known to be wrong.
Mine was.
Check with the supplier you were using.

Did and done. Tank would already be gone if it were not mine.

 

[iceman510]

Maybe insulate the garage better and get a convertible heater that will work with existing line using NG.
Could be the cheapest overall solution.
I guess a related question is if the electrical capicity is up to snuff

Garage appears to be reasonably insulated, though may add more in the attic. Prevous owner raised snakes in part of it, so that is why it was heated.

Electrical is marginal at 60 amp service , but will suffice for now. I have room for a few more 240V circuits, as I need to wire for my compressor (20A breaker) and eventually a hoist installation. I realize that will be pushing it, but I will certainly invoke the "don't use everything at the same time" rule.

 

[Falcon67]

>I realize that will be pushing it,

My old shop had a mill, lathe, drill press, 3.5HP compressor, lots of lights, one ton A/C, 240V electric heat and all the usual hand/power tool stuff. I ran off 60A and never had a trip. The new big shop has all that, plus another 2HP lathe, two total AC units and runs off a 70A breaker.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

IMO, bottled gas is AWAYS the last case scenario. Natural gas & never look back...

Tommy

 

[theoldwizard1]

The only real question how much LP are you going to use in the garage ? If you are talking about 100# a year, then using LP is reasonable. If you have to fill the tank more than once every other year, forget it.

Most (all) heating equipment (including stoves and water heaters) can be changed over fairly easily. Check with the manufacturer.

 

[BillK]

IM,
NG for sure

That being said, you really need to call your natural gas supplier. The line that was run for the LP might be usable with the NG depending on what pressure it comes to your house. If the pressure is regulated after the meter, you might be able to tie in there at the higher pressure. You will have to get another regulator to install in the garage but that will probably be less expensive than running another line.

Just a thought and probably worth a phone call.

 

[Adk Mike]

I've worked in Lp Gas for 30 years. Sell the tank plastic line is cheap. Get the natural gas to the building. Once and done. I have a work shop and a Modine Hot Dawg heater mounted to the ceiling. That unit with natural gas would be great.
Big LP tanks make great pig roasters if you like to weld.

 

[RAYJAY]

Selling the tank finances the ditch needing dug.

Call local jurisdictions first.
They may not allow gas in your garage.
Insurance may not either. Many insurance companies, and others will be here to dispute this and tell you how it was in Iowa in 1968, will not allow open flame in your garage.

Call authorities
Call insurance carrier.

And I'm a bit lost due to story inconsistency.
If he had a heater in the garage, that was valuable and of consequence to the gas story, logic dictates there is already a line from the house to the garage. I know how and why it would potentially be unusable.
You'll need to clarify.

And you'll still need to check insurance carrier.

if it was LP the line was more or likely copper, and as for gas heat in the garage as long as its at the right height for code, it should be no problem, what do you think 90% of the auto shops are using.......

 

[RAYJAY]

I'm thinking those ninety percent of the shops have commercial insurance/no insurance. Certainly not a residential policy. Your comment has no bearing on homeowners.

Do you suggest he not call his insurance because pep boys has a heater?

home owner here and have NG gas heat in my shop /garage

my parents house also has NG gas heat in garage


sooooo my comment does have a little bearing.......

see attached picture ...... if you can not find it follow the gas line ....


and the only code i had to follow here was ..

has to be 18" min off the floor and on a pedestal that could withstand a good bump from a car. That and it had to meet the venting size requirements.

and also if he needs a separate combustion chamber

http://ecomfort.com/udas-45-gas-fir...aluminized-heat-exchanger-45000-btu-2772.html


also a nice brochure from reznor

http://ecomfort.com/PDF_files/Reznor/udas-series_brochure.pdf


and i would just call the gas company about a heater in the garage they might even install the line from the meter to garage for free ours does.... they will also know the codes for the area better than any one

 

[RAYJAY]

Please see my disclaimer, expecting your comments, in my first post.
Your state, your insurance company have no bearing until confirmed by a call to his insurance company.
If your parents have had that heat since 1968, I'll call it a triple play.

first call I make is the the utility company, not the insurance company..

the utility company will know what is legal in state, and help him better than a insurance agent, seen a lot of them make up there own rules, there always another insurance company that will insure you,

 

[James-W]

Re: Your thoughts - LP or natural gas

Around here the gas company will run a gas line for a new service underground up to 100 feet for free. I would advise the opening poster to contact the local gas company and see what their policy is for a new service. He would have to pay a monthly charge for the gas meter, but around here that cost is a little less than $10 per month.

 

[iceman510]

Yeah, I did that when I had the service installed to the house last July. I don't really want another meter on the garage for the slight usage it will get. I also set up the piping into the house with a tee fitting right off the meter so I could hook up a garage line easily if/when desired.

I appreciate the input from everyone and as I hoped it brought up a few points I had not thought of or considered. Also found a few other good threads on here about running gas lines and info on the connections needed.

 

[RAYJAY]

Yeah, I did that when I had the service installed to the house last July. I don't really want another meter on the garage for the slight usage it will get. I also set up the piping into the house with a tee fitting right off the meter so I could hook up a garage line easily if/when desired.

I appreciate the input from everyone and as I hoped it brought up a few points I had not thought of or considered. Also found a few other good threads on here about running gas lines and info on the connections needed.

here in PA the utility company will run a xtra line off of your house meter for the garage, for the most part they do not even dig the line in they will shoot the bullet with air every 20 feet or so with the the orange gas line,

 

[BadgerBoilerMN]

In most places, most of the time, NG is a third the cost of LP or Electric. You can likely use 2# NG and the old copper line to serve the small gas unit you may need in the garage.

 

[6768rogues]

I had the gas company run a NG line to my garage and install a separate meter there. No charge for anything.

 

[iceman510]

I have posted the propane tank on craigslist, with two bites, one coming to look tonight.

Also checked the gas company website, and they offer to install the pipe completely, or will pre-assemble a pipe for DIY burial. I will have to contact them for quotes.