New homes are increasingly choosing to install propane furnaces, which appeal to homeowners because of their high efficiency and low emissions. BHC&Air is a certified propane furnace contractor in Denver and Colorado: let’s make sure you can comfortably introduce resource-efficient technology into everyday life with maximum benefit for the family budget!
What is a Propane Furnace?
Propane furnaces are one of the most promising types of energy-saving equipment: with an AFUE rating of 93-97%, you can expect significant fuel savings from a furnace unit. The low amount of combustion products makes the furnace easier to maintain and reduces the need for service, so operating costs will hardly burden you.
Propane furnace installation is more expensive than installing a liquid fuel unit, but the cost of service remains affordable for most homeowners. Propane furnaces are in high demand and the number of propane heated homes will skyrocket in the future.
What Size Propane Furnace I Need?
The size of the heating unit directly correlates with the power output, so it is important to properly size the furnace to maintain maximum heating efficiency. Furnaces that are too large consume a lot of energy by shortening the duty cycle; furnaces that are too small are forced to constantly operate at a higher intensity, causing them to wear out prematurely and fail quickly.
Heating calculation is based on determining the amount of heat production in British thermal units (BTU) required to heat a home. The amount of heat production is determined by the heating load – the amount of heat required to maintain a comfortable temperature in the building. In turn, the heating load is derived from the heat output, which is calculated from four basic heat transfer parameters:
- average winter temperature;
- quality of thermal insulation of the building;
- type and number of openings;
- number of storeys and ceiling height;
- number of permanent occupants;
- total meterage of heated rooms.
To determine the heat output of a furnace according to the Manual J, we shall multiply the meterage of the building by the heating load (BTU/sq. ft) and add the number of occupants multiplied by 600. The heating load depends on insulation and weather conditions and in most cases ranges between 25-50 BTU/sq. ft; for example, for a well-insulated building in a cold climate, the heating load is approximately 35.
The data sheets define furnace size by the amount of heat generated per hour (BTU/hour); therefore, look for a model capable of generating heat at a rate comparable to the estimated heat output. The engineering department of BHC&Air will glad to calculate the heating system for your home and prepare the project documentation on the basis of which the equipment is installed.
When To Install a Propane Furnace?
Poor timing leads to overpayments for installation work due to peak demand, so you should avoid crunch time. Propane furnace installation is cheapest in the fall, when there is no winter rush; during the lull, many contractors offer impressive discounts on furnace equipment installation.
Permits and Inspections for Propane Furnaces
Propane stoves are formally classified as explosive equipment, although in practice fires are extremely rare – in any case, electric stoves catch fire much more often. For this reason, certain categories of installation and repair work are subject to regulatory approval: the local authority must ensure that your manipulation of the gas equipment does not pose a threat to others.
As a rule, project coordination and permit processing are undertaken by a contracting organization; the cost of the service ranges from 70 to 250 USD depending on the scale and complexity of the work. A work permit is required when it is necessary to rearrange the gas supply, install or replace a furnace, boiler, chimney and heating appliances. During the course of the work, the authority will make an inspection visit to your home to ensure compliance with technology and safety requirements, and there may be several visits.
Permission documents must be obtained before the work begins, providing proof of the safety of the installation – the project specifications and insurance policy are usually sufficient. It is a prerequisite that the contractor has a license and permit; installing heating without a license carries serious legal consequences.
Benefits of Switching to a Propane Furnace
Propane stoves are usually installed to replace obsolete liquid-fuel units of past generations, which have exhausted their resource. By heating your home with propane, you are not only taking care of your comfort, but also the environment: the amount of emissions into the atmosphere is relatively small, and the combustion products themselves are non-toxic and do not damage the ozone layer.
Some municipalities offer rebates for installing a propane furnace, and you may also be eligible for federal programs that promote resource-efficient technologies and give homeowners access to low-interest loans and tax credits. Unlike many pieces of high-tech equipment, propane furnaces are not particularly finicky; maintenance costs are half that of liquid-fuel furnaces. Installing a propane furnace pays for itself in 1.2 years and offers undeniable practical benefits:
- easy installation and operation;
- reliability and unpretentiousness in everyday life;
- reduction of fuel consumption by 30-40%;
- reduction of heating costs up to 1000-2500 USD per year;
- improvement of microclimate in the room;
- minimum amount of service maintenance;
- almost complete absence of soot;
- reduction of insurance costs.
Average Cost to Install a Propane Furnace
The bill to install a propane furnace includes the cost to purchase the furnace unit and fuel tanks, the cost of accessories, and the labor fee for the installer. Using off-the-shelf utilities, the average cost to install a new propane furnace is 2200-5700 USD for standard models and 3500-7400 USD for high-efficiency units; with ductwork installation, the price rises to 4600-12300 USD.
It costs 600-3300 USD to purchase a new furnace depending on the model and brand, and cost of work and rent of contractor’s special equipment is estimated at 1000-3000 USD. It will cost 1700-4300 USD to purchase and install a fuel storage tank; it is also possible to rent a tank for 50-200 USD per year.
Factors in Calculating Propane Furnace Installation Cost
There are a variety of things to consider when planning your propane furnace installation budget, both objective and subjective. In addition to the technical characteristics of the equipment, room parameters and operating conditions, the cost of propane furnace installation is influenced by marketing considerations – season, brand prestige, country of manufacture, customer expectations.
The cost of installation also increases due to the poor communications and additional work at the site – you may have to reconstruct dilapidated areas or change the gas distribution because of the redesign of the room. To avoid unforeseen expenses, you should calculate the costs of dismantling, repairing and disposing of worn-out equipment in advance.
How To Reduce Furnace Installation Costs
Knowing how HVAC contractors are priced can significantly reduce the cost of installing and connecting a propane furnace. A personal manager will be happy to advise you on how to optimize your estimate and help you arrange for equipment deliveries with a partner discount; you can also do some things on your own:
- Favor basic models – you don’t need to overpay for options you don’t use;
- If possible, try to install an energy-efficient furnace to save on utility bills;
- Take advantage of vendor competition – compare offers from different vendors and choose the best solution;
- Participate in state and municipal programs to support households that adopt energy-efficient technologies;
- Look for promotions and special offers, do not hesitate to ask for discounts – large stores and retailers are open to dialog.
- Order a turnkey furnace installation with professional calculations and equipment selection;
- If you have very little experience, order a turnkey furnace installation with professional calculations and equipment selection to protect yourself from marketing tricks.
DIY Propane Furnace Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
Mankind invented the division of labor for a reason, so trying to reduce the cost of propane furnace installation by refusing the services of professionals is not a good idea that almost always leads to even more spending. We’ve already warned that installation and connection of gas equipment by law must be done by licensed contractors, but it’s not even about fines or difficulty selling real estate.
The main problem is the mistakes made by non-professionals who install the heating themselves without sufficient training and logistics. At best, you will overpay for utilities and equipment repairs due to improper equipment operation, and at worst, a failed furnace will cause a major accident, fire or explosion. At the same time, the hapless master is not responsible for his miscalculations – only authorized contractors are responsible for the quality of services, providing guarantees for the work performed.
Either way, it’s still up to the professionals to deal with the consequences. Only for the installation of the furnace you will have to pay double the amount, and the terms will stretch indefinitely. That’s why it’s better to contact a reliable local contractor right away – BHC&Air is always there and ready to help at any time!
