Are there any propane tank hookup experts on here?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

I don't know if this was TIC but a gas "on demand" water heater will use less propane than a normal water heater... It could take a larger diameter gas line though.

No sir... it wasn't TIC.

We are looking at several "on demand" angles right now and are toying with the concept of solar heated water with an on demand backup.

[COOPER]

BE CAREFUL!!!!!

Pressure test your lines first. Bubble test with air and pressurize the line with air with a gage attached, then Check for a drop in pressure.

It's the same as hooking up a gas log. You will need a safety shut off valve in the house.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

No sir... it wasn't TIC.

We are looking at several "on demand" angles right now and are toying with the concept of solar heated water with an on demand backup.

That sounds great.

The on demand options tend to use more energy while they operate but never operate when hot water is not demanded. Therefore, they use much less energy overall than the conventional tank heaters that heat water day and night.

I tried an on demand whole house electric unit - but the 60 AMP useage was too much for my 100 AMP total service box, and caused the lights to blink. I tried to resolve the issue but could not. They have since replaced the electrical transformers in my city - and I upgraded to 200 AMP service so it may work now - but I have gone back to an 80 gallon tank heater.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

That sounds great.

The on demand options tend to use more energy while they operate but never operate when hot water is not demanded. Therefore, they use much less energy overall than the conventional tank heaters that heat water day and night.

I tried an on demand whole house electric unit - but the 60 AMP useage was too much for my 100 AMP total service box, and caused the lights to blink. I tried to resolve the issue but could not. They have since replaced the electrical transformers in my city - and I upgraded to 200 AMP service so it may work now - but I have gone back to an 80 gallon tank heater.

Yes sir... that is good to know. I have a 100A meter loop as well.

We would like to have a water well drilled and put a solar powered pump on it. I would also like to get a basic solar panel grid set up and then add additional solar panels as we are able.

All of that coupled with the room we now have for a garden and to raise a few animals is a good direction in our opinion.

The key will be taking in each of these projects in small enough bites that we can handle each phase and move up from there.

Your experience with a 100A meter loops really makes me want to continue to lean toward the propane powered on demand system. I was looking at the Bosch AquaStar 125FX. I let one slip through my hands this morning for around $500 on ebay. But I'm really not ready for the purchase at this time. I may live to regret letting that unit get by though. A guy had bought it for a remodeling project and never did use it. It is brand new and never installed.

Time will tell.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by COOPER

BE CAREFUL!!!!!

Pressure test your lines first. Bubble test with air and pressurize the line with air with a gage attached, then Check for a drop in pressure.

It's the same as hooking up a gas log. You will need a safety shut off valve in the house.

Yes sir.. will do.

As an update to the project. When I found out that the propane powered water heater no longer works any way the whole thing really fell through.

We have a small 110V electric water heater here at our house in Louisiana and no one ever takes a bath in that bathtub. I think we are going to pull this unit out and plug it in at the Arkansas house to give us limited access to hot water for the time being.

We will work from there.

Also... the house has a firebox installed in a brick fireplace area. The box has heavy steel (iron.. whatever... I'm not sure of the material) doors and once you get the logs lit and shut the door the logs just glow and never really burn.

It was amazing... 3 new logs laid on the glowing embers of the previous set kept us warm all night.

The unit lets enough air blow over the logs to keep them in a red hot glow. There is a chamber around the firebox and when you turn on the blower it blows out the heated air and you can really run yourself out of the house quick if you aren't careful.

I am very thankful for this efficient firebox.