Propane furnace - any experience?

[loochy]

We are considering bidding on a house that is just awesome, but it has a propane furnace. Does anyone have a propane furnace or experience with one? I know that insulation, layout, and climate a have a lot to do with it, but have absolutely NO clue on this.

There is an in-ground 500 gallon tank. The range, fireplace, and instant hot water are all propane too, which is great.

I'm really concerned that one little cold snap could eat through $1000 in propane in a month. It doesn't get very cold for very long here in Texas, so I think a heat pump could do the job just fine. The house was build in 2006 and I'm kind of baffled why they put a propane furnace in. Have propane prices jumped up that much recently? Right now it's about $2.20/gallon, but I'm sure they jack up the price in winter.

I WILL be asking for a utility estimate, but I'd like CP's opinion as well.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Buzz_TinBalls

Well, I guess we'll see how much the previous owner used in a winter.

If this thing is going to be a money pit then forget it.

[Ace Gunner]

that's a good idea. I had an old place about the same size years ago built with oil furnace. that damn thing used about $3500 per winter.

[Oxford]

Originally Posted by loochy

Well, I guess we'll see how much the previous owner used in a winter.

If this thing is going to be a money pit then forget it.

Find out about your electric rates (KWH). If you like the house that much, then plan to put in a heat pump with the propane as emergency heat. You can probably calculate a break even point (or have your HVAC contractor help you figure it). Maybe the electric company has incentives to go all electric. 2 years ago, it cost me 11,000 to go heat pump natural gas backup in my 2200 sqft home.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Oxford

Find out about your electric rates (KWH). If you like the house that much, then plan to put in a heat pump with the propane as emergency heat. You can probably calculate a break even point (or have your HVAC contractor help you figure it). Maybe the electric company has incentives to go all electric. 2 years ago, it cost me 11,000 to go heat pump natural gas backup in my 2200 sqft home.

The house is at the top of the budget as it is. Changes or improvements are out of the question...hopefully the owner just didn't fill out the information sheet correctly and the unit is a heat pump with a propane backup...

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Buzz_TinBalls

that's a good idea. I had an old place about the same size years ago built with oil furnace. that damn thing used about $3500 per winter.

The weird thing is that this is a new house 2008 and it's the ONLY one I've seen around here that has propane.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by loochy

The weird thing is that this is a new house 2008 and it's the ONLY one I've seen around here that has propane.

You're moving out of the hills? sadface.jpg

[Holladay]

I just called our propane dealer. The current price is $1.40 I'm in NE KS. When we first bought the old house, it leaked worse the a screen door. Built in 1913. Snow blew in through the upstairs bedroom windows and with no heat (just the old gravity feed vents) I had a pile of snow on the floor in the morning.

I blew through 500g of propane in a month. The price back then was $.60/g. During that winter it spiked to $2.00/g. That sucked.

After adding new windows/blowing in insulation in the attic and walls, updating the HVAC, new siding etc, the 500g would last all year.

After we added on and required another HVAC I use 600g and contract for 800. The house is VERY tight. The extension was built with 2x6's instead of 2x4's which allowed for thicker insulation.

I see that your house was built in 2008, thus should be well insulated and tight. Is there anyway that you can talk to the contractor that built it?

[tmax63]

I just switched propane companies. Tank rental is $75/year. Old company propane $2/gal, new company $1.50/gal. Have the option to pre-buy as much as I want at $1.55 per gallon as long as it's in my tank by 1Jun14 or budget pay (straight monthly payment) based on previous usage and balance up by same date with a max price cap of $1.65. I like propane heat since, during power outages, a small generator to power the furnace if you have a blizzard or ice storm you can stay warm until the electric comes back on. (had one storm in the past 10 years where electric was off for 3+ days)

[Ming the Merciless]

Youll be fine....

Propane and Propane accessories are very affordable, AFAIK. I am on natural gas, but I have a buddy on propane and some family members. Go for it!

[seclark]

used propane for over 30 years in 2 different houses.
no problems. it is a good idea to buy it ahead of time on contract, as stated earlier.
sec

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by loochy

The weird thing is that this is a new house 2008 and it's the ONLY one I've seen around here that has propane.

it is odd. I pay a small fortune in gas bills for the properties I have. even during the summer months when gas isn't in use it still costs me $40 per property just in tax and fees. maybe the orig owners wanted to avoid this?

[Holladay]

I like propane heat since, during power outages, a small generator to power the furnace if you have a blizzard or ice storm you can stay warm until the electric comes back on. (had one storm in the past 10 years where electric was off for 3+ days)

I had a major power outage for 3 weeks during a 2005 ice storm. That generator saved my butt. I go without power 2-3 times a year. Usually not for very long.

I think, thou, if using natural gas...results would be the same. Of course, electric heat wouldn't.

[Holladay]

it is odd. I pay a small fortune in gas bills for the properties I have. even during the summer months when gas isn't in use it still costs me $40 per property just in tax and fees. maybe the orig owners wanted to avoid this?

Strange. Do your properties have gas hot water tanks? Cloths dryers?

[mlyonsd]

Originally Posted by seclark

used propane for over 30 years in 2 different houses.
no problems. it is a good idea to buy it ahead of time on contract, as stated earlier.
sec

sec always speaks wisdom.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by KC native

You're moving out of the hills? sadface.jpg

Yeah, we're moving out of the city and we've been looking in Benbrook, Aledo, Lakeside city, and Azle directions. These city houses just cost way too much compared to what you can get a few miles out.