From furnaces to fireplaces, propane offers new ways to make any home affordably warm and comfortable year round, while protecting the environment.
Propane Furnaces
The builder or contractor can choose from several types of propane furnaces to accommodate different architectural styles and floor plans: propane-fueled central furnaces, wall furnaces and combo-heaters.
Propane-fueled central furnaces are the most common type of central heating system is the forced-air furnace. Forced-air central furnaces, fueled by propane gas, have many features that are well suited to new construction:
Conserving space
Propane furnaces, even ultra-high efficiency models, have low profile designs, so they can fit into tight spaces with height restrictions or narrow side clearances - even a closet. Many models can be installed and vented in a variety of ways, and some are even certified for zero clearance on side and back, to sit flush against walls.
Maximizing Safety
Most of today's propane-fueled gas furnaces are equipped with electronic ignitions that activate the burners only when fuel is needed. This enhances safety by eliminating the need for standing pilot lights.
Minimizing Energy Demand
In addition to conserving energy with electronic ignition, propane gas furnaces are available with vent dampers. These "flapper" devices, installed in the flue, close when the heat demand has been met, trapping residual heat for circulation in the home. When heat is needed, the damper opens before the burners are ignited to allow combustion fumes to escape. Burners can only ignite when the damper is open, so energy is consumed only when heating is needed.
Wall Furnaces
Direct-vent wall furnaces are very compact units that can be used to heat small homes. The are particularly appropriate for retrofitting older homes in which the extension of an existing heating system may be impractical, expensive, and impossible.
Most wall furnaces utilize sealed combustion systems housed in durable cabinetry. All combustion air is obtained from outside, and all flue gases are vented outdoors, so homeowners don't have to worry about exhaust fumes. Propane wall furnaces are quiet and efficient, too. The noiseless burners are ignited with the simple push of a button, and the newest designs have AFUE ratings of 90 percent.
Thermostats are built in and no wiring is required, so these units are extremely flexible and easy to install. They don't use electricity, so heat will be available even during power outages.
Efficiency Ratings
The AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating on the manufacturer's yellow "Energy Guide Label" indicates how efficient a gas furnace or boiler is - that is, how well a furnace converts energy into usable heat. For example, an AFUE rating of 80 percent means that more than 80 percent of the heat generated in the home is usable. higher AFUE ratings mean lower operating costs over the life of the system. Public Law no. 100-12, passed in 1987, requires that all gas furnaces manufactured after January 1, 1992, have a minimum AFUE of 78 percent. Newer technologies have raised efficiencies as high as 97 percent.
Propane Boilers
Propane wall-hung boilers are the perfect complement to a new, energy efficient house. These boilers come from Europe where fuel is very expensive, and making the most of it counts. Some major advantages over oil boilers are are follows:
- Wall-hung boilers take very little space, and fit easily into a closet.
- They are the perfect complement to a slab on grade, or can fit easily into a basement.
- One unit produces both heat and on-demand hot water, with no wasted tank losses.
- They are quiet and elegantly engineered. High efficiency with AFUE ratings between 84-94% (depending on the model).
- They are cleaner-burning than oil.
- The require no chimney.
- Sealed combustion means indoor air quality is not affected by your heating system.
The enormous benefit of built-in circulation pumps, heat exchangers, expansion tanks, ball valves, pressure relief valves and fast fills make for neat, clean and easy installations. The units are fully modulated, meaning that they burn the exact amount of fuel needed to keep the temperature up, unlike boilers, which can only run fully on or off.
Designing a house
Invest in creating the most energy efficient building to lower the lifetime energy consumption of a system. Proper building orientation (i.e. solar south) and installation can cut the demand of the building up to 50-75%. We can then realize all of the advantages of propane with very little extra operating cost. Don't pull in a chimney; instead, invest the money you save into your walls (insulation).
Propane Verses Oil
For each delivered BTU, propane costs up to 50% less than oil. They're also many benefits to using propane which include:
- 20-30% fewer carbon emissions into the atmosphere than oil.
- No sulfates and negligible nitrogen emissions into the atmosphere.
- One fuel source in your home for dryer, oven, heat, and hot water.
- No annual cleaning, no lowered efficiency after the annual cleaning.
Heat Distribution System
A RADIANT FLOOR OFFERS THE HIGHEST ENERGY PERFORMANCE WITH HIGH COMFORT. The lowest cost and most efficient operation is a concrete slab with integral radiant tubing. We highly recommend a concrete slab grade (4-6") or a thin slab (2" minimum) to provide the thermal mass needed for higher efficiency and higher solar gain without overheating. For existing floors, the slightly less-efficient option is staple-up tubing with metal fins that help distribute the heat.
RADIATORS AND BASEBOARD SYSTEMS are great options for existing structures.
The Process
Heating system design begins with an energy consult. The consultant will provide guidelines for low cost/high yield solutions to build an energy efficient home with detailed recommendations on specific building practices that will best work for your house, including orientation, insulation, wall systems, ventilation, thermal mass, window types and placement.