[Ray Cox]

Dose anyone know how long a 100,000 btu furnace will run on Propane? it is a dayton furnace the hanging type for a garage, Dayton sent me a valve kit to convert it from natural gas to propane, Id like to know how long it will run on propane so i can figure out how big og tank to get. it is an uninslated garage, and id like to have the tank big enough to run it for two mmonths jan and feb.

[Ray Cox]

Dose anyone know how long a 100,000 btu furnace will run on Propane? it is a dayton furnace the hanging type for a garage, Dayton sent me a valve kit to convert it from natural gas to propane, Id like to know how long it will run on propane so i can figure out how big og tank to get. it is an uninslated garage, and id like to have the tank big enough to run it for two mmonths jan and feb.

[Brian Baker]

Given the fact that heat rises, I will never understand how hanging heaters for garages ever became so popular. Is giving up a little floor space really worth having a cold floor?

[Goin' Topless]

Depends on the efficiency rating, but I'd say it's gonna use a bunch! I got a 90,000 BTU natural gas furnace in my garage, partly insulated. Gotta finish that someday...

How big is the one in your house? If it's close, use the info they give you on the monthly bill and divide by however much time you think you'll be out there, 50%, 66%, 100%.

100,000 BTU will heat about 1500 sq. ft. pretty well.

[Ray Cox]

Im sure its a lot, but whats a lot? the one in my house is natural gas I need to know how long it will burn on propane. Brian its a rental garage I rent to keep the cars in I took the furnace out off my old garage when I moved and dont want to buy a new one now

[crossbreed455]

And I ask why would you want to chance it over to propane, it is more expesive than natural gas? To keep it at 45 i went thru a 25 tank in two days.

[Jagtec1]

Propane had some of the highest increases in price this year VS. natural gas and oil. Any way you can stick with nat. gas??

[Ray Cox]

I asked the COST! natural gas is not an option

[KGTO]

Ray
Call me at my office. I own a plumbing and heating company. 406-728-3131
Then I can also ask you some questions about that short block you have

Basically there are some other factors to consider, but 1 gallon of propane = 91,800 BTU's, so just under 1 gallon an hour. A 500 hundred gallon tank can only be filled to 80% which gives you 400 gallons = 400 hours of run time if it ran non-stop. That's really out there though without knowing the actual heat loss of the shop and what teperature you aregoing to keep it at. It also depends on your design temperture at which your heat loss is performed. It should be realistic for the location. Around here we use a design temerature of -10 to -15 @ 70 degrees for a home, shops are usually kept cooler.

I would install a 500 gallon tank.

[tempest455]

Brian, a lot of it has to do with code. I just installed a 100,000 BTU Modine. It specifically states it must be installed at a minimum height (don’t recall specific height) per NFPA regs.

Ray I would get a natural gas unit if you can. My Modine is a high efficiency and it only runs 2 min per hour to maintain heat. If not, they offer a propane unit in the same spec. I will get the price and dealer if you would like.

FYI, if it’s shipped to a business with a dock, the freight is almost half!

[Region Warrior]

RAY is looking to keep his "temporary rental" garage warm for winter. hasn't been able to find a bigger-better place to work. he probly would bump up the heat when out there. the furnace is installed, just need to get a tank & plumb gas line and exhaust. dosen't want to make investment because he may not renew rental after this season.

[firebirdmi]

You should look into a hanging radiant heating system that uses gas. It will heat the objects (including the floor) in the garage, not the air. It's the same heating mode (radiation) that the old hot water radiators create in homes. Although it costs a bit more it is a more uniform and comfortable heating system.

[goatman-68]

Ray

I would agree that a 500 gal tank is what you would need for two months of heat (uninsulated).
I would just call one of the local LP gas dealers and tell them you want to lease a tank for two months. It will cost you about $.50 a gallon more for their tank. Right now in central WI LP is going for $1.10 - $1.25 per gallon if you own your own tank.

[Pontimaniac]

Ray,
I use a 75,000 btu on propane to heat 24'x 50'. I start it in late November and run it until the weather breaks. I usually keep it at 45-50 and just kick it up when I am spending time there. I have a 125 gal. tank and usually have it filled twice. The garage is all insulated and finished with 8' ceilings.

[Region Warrior]

RAY, i just talked to one our tech's. he just jot his 100lb tank filled last month at TSC for $48. he also told me you have to keep the tank inside(warm)if used continously, or it will frost shut. also recomended you buy your tank, not rent it. i asked him about having to get it checked/certified. his is 10yrs old, and they haven't even questioned it.

[Junkyard Dog]

Brian, I went duck hunting in Arkansas last year and the guide had his new radiant heat thing set up near the ceiling running off propane or natural gas, I don't know which. I, too, thought the heat would rise, but there is something about the design of this metal rectangle behind the heater that sent this heat all through this huge (40 by 100 or so) workshop. It was very toasty. Almost made it hard to go outside in the freezing cold to shoot ducks.

[Region Warrior]

i have been told by a a/c-heater guy that heat draws to wherever cold is untill temp's are equal, even down. anyone out there in the industry know about this? not sure i belive it, but it does make sense.

[Bill Eveland]

I run a hot water boiler on propane - 100,000 btu for my house and have a 500 ga tank. Usually they only fill it up 60-70% to allow for expansion. About every other month they come and fill it up in the winter . I would think a 500 ga would be more than enough , just have put in 200 ga or so.