Basement Heat

[maybar]

If you install a propane heater with a thermopile rather than a thermocouple you can have heat during power outages.

I have a vented wall furnace in the basement that will heat the whole house without AC power. Has come in mighty handy during ice storms.

 

[CurlyDave]

Man, I jus' went thru this. In WA state, NO PROPANE in the basement. The inspection-code people said that if it was natural gas that is another story, but the propane was definite no-no. It was something about being heavier than air and could cause bad things in a enclosed basement. I've been asking about getting Natural Gas ran up our street, but, the local gas main people just laughed at me when I asked about that, I guess that meant NO. bjr

I have to agree with the no propane in the basement people.

Propane is definitely heavier than air and will accumulate in the basement.

While I agree the odor is a good warning, there are situations where it does not work. Some people are not sensitive enough for the odor to wake them up from sleeping. A small leak can produce a oxygen-depleted atmosphere over time, and the odor will not be noticed. A phenomenon called "olfactory saturation" means that people get used to odors and will not notice the foul odor. suffocation can result.

A second danger is that propane-air mixtures can be explosive. You might notice the smell of gas in the basement, but when you turn on a light to investigate -- boom.

Sure a lot of folks get away with it for long periods of time, but tractors were sold without ROPS for a long, long time. Today I wouldn't drive a tractor without one, and I wouldn't use propane in my basement either.

For occasional use, either use electric heaters, or tee off your existing air duct and install a damper, which will let you balance the air flow.

 

[kenmac]

I find it funny that some people are afraid to use propane or ng in their homes but, don't give it a 2 nd thought of storing gallons gasoline ( which is also heavier than air) in their crawl space / basement. These same people think electricity is safe as a heat source. Electricial fires happen all the time. If there are no gas leaks when the appliance is installed. You should have no worries

Propane is usually supplied at 11 in.w.c. ( water column) ng is supplied at 2 psi ,6'' w.c. ,or 7'' w.c. 27.7 '' w.c. = 1 lb of gas pressure

 

[mbohuntr]

Up here in the country, there are only two choices. Propane and fuel oil. I think the ratio is around 50/50.

 

[Freds]

I would think that being ventless would cause moisture problems, too. If I put anything in a basement I would want it vented.

 

[maybar]

Propane is heavier than air, will accumulate in the basement and is explosive in the correct volume. If enough leaks, it will fill the structure from botton to top and if an ignition source is reached when the concencration reaches LEL (lower explosive level) to UPL (upper explosive level), the roof of the house often lands in the neighbors yard.
Natural gas is lighter than air, will accumulate in the upper levels and is explosive in the correct volume. If enough leaks, it will fill the structure from top to bottom and if an ignition source is reached when the concencration reaches LEL (lower explosive level) to UPL (upper explosive level), the roof of the house often lands in the neighbors yard.

 

[mjarrels]

Coal baby coal... If you have a chimney. Cheap, nothing burns hotter than coal.

mark

 

[204saskman]

Ill thirdsy the pellet/corn stoves. I heat our whole house with 2 harman PC45 stoves. I heated out house all winter last year for under $40 bucks a month including the power. Now in my stoves i burn mostly grain screenings and alot of the local farmers here are willing to give them to you almost. Most days we were using about 2 bushells a day at a cost of $0.50/bushell and they dont use that much electricity. Just a thought.

 

[kenmac]

had gas in my home for 30+ yrs. My house is still intact.. No fires. no exploisons no gas leaks. In fact, every house in my area is still intact