I Want To Change From Natural Gas To Propane On Furnace And Water Heater. How Difficult And Expensive Is It?
MGE shut my gas off and wants $300 plus to turn back on. I don’t think so. Can anyone explain the steps to changing the orifices on furnace and water heater & the cost?
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October 4, 2009 @ 3:28 pm
You would need a new gas valve, burner and to change the orifice on the pilot for the water heater. I think the orifice on the burner for that is built on and can’t be changed. That is why a new burner.And the valve is different, it can’t be converted. A new propane water heater tank might cost about the same as converting if you install it yourself.
The orifices on the furnace and it’s pilot need to me changed. Then the gas valve regulator is defeated by adding a different spring or pin to lock it open. This must be done by somebody with a gas licensed for propane because you are now running off the regulator of the propane tank. As a result we didn’t ever do conversions and let the propane company do them.
It can be done.
But the cost of the tank, most are leased from the propane company so they will maintain them, the cost of the conversion, and the cost of propane here is MUCH higher than natural gas making this a very bad idea all around.
You are better off paying your natural gas bill, and it sounds like plus a deposit, to get your gas turned back on. It will be cheaper in the short run as well as the long run, IMO.
Good Luck.
October 4, 2009 @ 7:12 pm
Check the cost of propane delivery and tank installation before you say ‘No!’ to the $300. Propane is supplied at a higher pressure than natural gas. The burner jets for a propane furnace are one wire size smaller than the jets for a natural gas furnace. Just change them out. You can tap into your gas line between the house and the meter. I converted over to gas when it became available.
October 4, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
A lot more than the $300 your gas co. wants. The orifices are cheap. But you need a tank and a regulator. Plus, you will have a giant tank in your yard and you will have to monitor the supply of gas and get it re-filled. My point is, why use propane if natural gas is available. Just pay your bills on time and you won’t have any problems.
October 5, 2009 @ 1:42 am
Our propane comp. changed our orfices for free. They charge around $40 per yr. tank rent and last time I checked propane was $1.70 per gallon. They install the tank and run new lines free of charge.
Good luck!
October 5, 2009 @ 6:17 am
You are crazy, propane cost double what natural gas does. That $300 will be chump change compared to heating with propane.
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