which way to go

Big Ed

Your not over the max ? Safe margin? Use 45s rather then elbows...

tm

I currently use a new oil-fired Biasi for heat. I have a propane stove. I am getting rid of the 15 year old electric dryer and have moved my washer/dryer to a new location (on the 1st floor now). This is my opportunity to go with a propane dryer.
On the pro's for the propane:
1. I understand that it will cost less to operate
2. I have read it dries clothes more evenly and uses a moister heat which is better for clothes

Con's for propane:
1. It is $50 more, the conversion kit is $30, fee for 2nd tank and conversion installation is $100 (I know that the installation costs can be made up over time with energy cost savings)
2. I worry about the vent. I will need 2 90 degree ells and about 15' pipe which puts me at the 25' max

Can someone tell me if going with electric might make more sence? Are there actually any positives with an electric dryer?

Steamhead (in transit)

Electric over propane

would be my choice. Propane is heavier than air and can pool on the floor, waiting for a spark to light it. It's also rather expensive per BTU but I'm not sure how it would compare with electricity in your area.

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tm

Ive heard this, but I have never heard of homes actually exploding from propane leaks? What about my propane stove - do I replace that? I grew up in an area with natural gas and always respected it yet did not fear it. Is propane to be feared and stayed away from?

Mark Hunt

LP


I can not begin to count the number of homes in our area that use LP. LP is being used more often than oil now since most folks want gas fireplaces and stoves.

Gas lines should be tested for leaks prior to being activated. That is code. Once the lines are installed and checked, the chances that a leak will develope are almost nil.

You have a greater chance of being in a car accident than you do having your house blow up from an LP leak.

Mark H

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tm

Thanks Mark - that's encouraging. Any reason why electric might have some advantage?

Mark Hunt

If

you have a small family and do not have a heavy laundry load, an electric dryer would make sense.

Another thing to consider is just how much LP you are going to use annually. In these parts, LP $/gal is determined by how large your tank is. Folks with smaller tanks pay MORE than folks with larger tanks. I would never suggest an LP fired appliance if it meant dropping a little 100lb cylinder on the side of the house. You could be looking at $3.00/gal then.

Edit: I just re-read your original post. I would look to get a larger tank rather than two smaller tanks. 250 gal. minimum.

Mark H

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tm

The family is not so big. We have 1 - 100# tank now. The propane company was just going to bring a second tank, so I would have 200#'s in the end. enough?

Wayne_16

not to confuse

> The family is not so big. We have 1 - 100# tank

> now. The propane company was just going to bring

> a second tank, so I would have 200#'s in the end.

> enough?

Wayne_16

not to confuse

Currently you are talking about adding a second 100# tank or about 25 gallons of lp gas. The gas company will set a station witha regulator, hood and switch over valve, mounted along side the house. When the first tank goes empty the valve will switch over to the new tank. They then can change the empty tank when making deliveries.

A 100 gallon tank on the other hand is 85 gallons of lp gas when full. The propane company makes deliveries with the bulk truck.

In these small tanks, small usages, the bigger factors are ease of delivery, tank availability (100# or 100 g) comfort, ease of use, location etc. The price will most often be higher with small deliveries.

brucewo1b

Except Wayne

Most places are not using the switch over tanks these days but tying them together so both get used simotaniously.That will give you 47.2 gal usable gas. Tanks should be sized by BTU load vs lowest expected OD temp, as there needs to be enought liquid LP touching the sides of the container to boil off enough LP to meet the BTU load. The lower the temp the bigger the surface area needed to boil off the gas, this is where underground tanks shine in that the temps are warmer underground in winter and fairly constant throughout the year.

[Deleted User]

They do make 200 lb tanks which hold 49 gallons and what we call a 420 that holds 99 gallons of LP. A 420 has a capacity of 120 gallons but for obvious reasons we don't fill the tank all the way.