Converting from electric heat to propane heat is usually a fairly simple process, and one that will pay great dividends, both in the comfort of your home and in fuel savings.

Propane is an excellent way to heat your water too!

Depending on the type of electric heat you currently have, the conversion can take just a few hours or a few days. The experts at Modern Comfort Systems can explain your options and the total investment that each requires.

Homes with Heat Pumps
Homes with heat pumps require no change to the duct work.

Rather than replacing your heat pump, it will be supplemented with a new propane furnace or boiler with an “aqua coil” that uses your existing ducts. Your heat pump will continue to play a role in the heating of your home (and will provide all of your summer cooling). However, when temperatures fall below your heat pump’s ideal heating capability, your new propane furnace or boiler will take over 100% of the heating and provide the level of winter comfort that you’ve been longing for.

A boiler with “aqua coils” is especially good when used in large homes with more than one electric heat pump system.

As for the electric heating strips that back up your heat pump? They’ll no longer be used by the system. We don’t think you’ll miss the dry-smelling and expensive heat they provide.

Homes with Electric Baseboard Heat
There are two excellent ways to go when switching to propane heat from electric baseboard heat.

Electric baseboard heaters can be replaced with hydronic baseboards. With this type of system, an propane-fired boiler is installed, which produces and distributes hot water through pipes to the baseboard heaters. Heat is released and the room becomes warm.

Another option that is particularly good, if you also want to add central air conditioning to a home, is to have an air duct system installed. Both your propane furnace and your air conditioner will use the same ductwork for both heating and cooling.

No Chimney… NO Problem!
Today’s modern heat systems require no chimney! In fact, propane heating systems that run at efficiencies of 90% and above, like their oil and natural gas counter-parts, cannot be vented into traditional masonry chimneys. Instead, combustion emissions are released through a specially-designed plastic pipe that vents to the outside of the home. Click here to learn more about propane’s low emissions.

Propane systems that operate at 80 to 85% efficiency use a similar venting system, although the pipe is usually made of metal. If you have a chimney that has been used for a wood stove or fireplace, you may be able to use that existing chimney with a mid-range efficiency propane system. Our installation experts at Modern Comfort Systems will advise you of the proper venting solution for your home.

Tanks
Your new propane heating system will require a propane storage tank. By having your own storage on your property you will have your fuel readily available, always on hand and you will have full control of your supply. Click here for more information about tanks.

Domestic Hot Water
Propane's high BTU content is what makes it possible. A 32-gallon propane power-hot water heater can produce 109 gallons of hot water recovery per hour, as compared to 20 gallons of recovery for a 30-gallon electric heater. A boiler system with an indirect water heater will produce over 140 gallons of recovery per hour.
Source: Bradford White Corporation, Bock Water Heaters, Inc. and Amtrol Corporation.

Electric hot water heaters, on the other hand, provide a dismal 20-30 gallons of recovery per hour, and must store twice the amount of water (and keep that water hot) in order to serve the hot water needs of a typical household. This means long waits between showers and needlessly high electric bills.

There are three ways to heat you domestic water with oil:

• Propane-Fired Water Heater
  In homes with propane-burning furnaces, electric hot water heaters can be replaced with an propane-fired hot water heater.
• Propane-Fired Boiler with Domestic Hot Water Coil
  The boiler will include a domestic coil that is submersed inside the boiler to provide an abundant supply of domestic hot water, and allow you to eliminate your electric hot water heater.
• Propane Fired Boiler with Indirect Water Heater:
  This option is especially good for homes with high requirements for hot water (i.e. hot tubs). A propane-fired boiler system with an indirect water heater will provide an almost endless supply domestic hot water, and allow you to eliminate your electric hot water heater.

Again, an expert from Modern Comfort Systems will help you make the decision that will best meet your individual needs.

What will a conversion to propane heat cost?
As you might expect, the cost to convert to oilheat varies, depending on your home and the system best suited for your family. Please call Modern Comfort Systems for a free, no obligation system evaluation and an estimate on a new, high-efficiency oil heating system.

See also Converting from Electric to Oil

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