The home to which I'll soon be moving is heated via propane. I understand, however, that the system also needs electricity to operate. Please answer with ideas that will help me either operate the system without electricity or generate enough electricity to run the system without turning totally solar. Thanks

-- Brian McCabe (scout@integrityonline26.com), September 13, 1999

Answers

Whether your propane system needs electricity or not depends upon the system it uses. I once had an older house with a floor furnace, and it had what is called a pilot generator, i.e. the heat of the pilot light generated enough enough electricity for the thermostat and gas valve. Typically gas valves only need a few volts of electricity to operate, and most can be operated with a battery of correct voltage. What you do need electricity for, is for the blower motor to carry the heat away from the burner unit. Otherwise it will overheat and shut down. As you should realize an overheating furnace is not good. For solar conversion, determine the wattage of the blower motor, and how many hours it will run per day. Consider that many of the hours will be during darkness and provide battery backup for that length of time. A good solar company will help you figure your need.

-- greenbeanman (greenbeanman@ourtownusa.net), September 13, 1999.

Voltage required to operate a furnace is most likely 24 volts. There are exceptions, of course, couple being-millivolt system [pilot generator] and some 12 volt systems. I don't know what kind you have in the house but most likely, if it's a forced air system, it will be 24 volt. The blower is operated by 120 volts a.c. If you're wanting to live without the grid-you will need power to run the blower and control voltage of 24 volts. Running an alternator continously is not really the answer-it's expensive and will wear the unit out rather quickly. If you do elect to run a genset-try and get one with a working rpm of 1800 vs. the 3600 rpm. Hope this has helped you but if you want more info-please email me. I am a heating/air conditioning repairman/installer with almost 40 yrs experience. I don't know it all but I do know a bunch! thanks hoot

-- K.D. Gibson (hoot@otbnet.com), October 23, 1999.

I don't know what you can do for your current furnace, however, if you don't find a solution you can live with, you may like to try a propane cookstove with side heater. Mine heats the entire house...about 600 sq feet...and I only have 2x3 walls-hardly any insulation. This may at least be a temporary fix. I bought mine for $150. Sue

-- Sue Landress (Sulandherb@aol.com), October 29, 1999.