I went to some websites of local propane suppliers to try and get a plan together to get a large propane tank at the house, then put in a tankless water heater fueled by propane and then a fireplace insert with outside air intake and blower that burns propane. I don't have natural gas available. I haven't heard from the propane suppliers yet, I will call them or go buy if they don't call me today or send a note. I thought I'd post a note and see if anybody has any tips for any of these steps.
My three possible suppliers seem to be AmeriGas, Palmetto Propane and Suburban Propane. I actually talked to Palmetto Propane once already but it was about six months ago and I wasn't ready to do the work yet. I am off until 2019 so now is a good time for me, possibly not for them. Palmetto thought I'd need a 100 lb tank and I could have one or two - with two I'd always have gas. I asked about possibly using one of my little 20 lb tanks as a backup and the salesman was negative about it but didn't really say why.
Things I would like to know are location for the tank, do I need a little pad under it, whether I should buy or lease a tank - or do they just provide it if I keep buying gas from them. I also need to know what they do, just drop a tank off or do they set up a connection that me or my plumber ties into. I have a spot picked out on the other side of the wall I think I want the tankless to vent through. My idea would put the tank maybe six feet horizontally from the water heater exhaust. I would like to have some sort of backup that would allow me to have gas for a few days after the tank runs out while I am waiting on a refill. I am not very interested in a "just call us, we'll come right out" plan. What if it's a weekend, holiday, etc.. Usually it's just me but the kids visit and a house full of people with no hot water is not something I want to ever happen.
I've seen the tankless water heaters at Home Depot at what seems to be an OK price but not the installation kits. I think I would want to have a plumber's help, maybe they want to sell him the kit? Or it has to come from a plumbing supply or something? The plumber I used on an addition last year would let me be his helper to cut cost and that seems like a good arrangement. We could probably knock it off in a day. But I don't want to install the heater until I have at least a solid plan for the gas.
Anybody have an opinion on using a little gas grill tank as a backup? I have at least 3. And lots of places sell tanks somewhat full you can swap your "empty" tank for. If the little tank holds 1/5 of the big one, it seems like it could give me several days of backup.
Another potential use for the propane is a backup generator. It would save hauling gasoline and help the generator last longer. I got city water partially to have water if I loose power. I think if I had hot water, a little heat from the fireplace insert and a generator big enough to run the refrigerator plus a few other smallish loads I could be reasonably comfortable for our typically few hour power outage (I had one for 5 hours a few weeks ago, apparently due to wind).
Any suggestions?
My three possible suppliers seem to be AmeriGas, Palmetto Propane and Suburban Propane. I actually talked to Palmetto Propane once already but it was about six months ago and I wasn't ready to do the work yet. I am off until 2019 so now is a good time for me, possibly not for them. Palmetto thought I'd need a 100 lb tank and I could have one or two - with two I'd always have gas. I asked about possibly using one of my little 20 lb tanks as a backup and the salesman was negative about it but didn't really say why.
Things I would like to know are location for the tank, do I need a little pad under it, whether I should buy or lease a tank - or do they just provide it if I keep buying gas from them. I also need to know what they do, just drop a tank off or do they set up a connection that me or my plumber ties into. I have a spot picked out on the other side of the wall I think I want the tankless to vent through. My idea would put the tank maybe six feet horizontally from the water heater exhaust. I would like to have some sort of backup that would allow me to have gas for a few days after the tank runs out while I am waiting on a refill. I am not very interested in a "just call us, we'll come right out" plan. What if it's a weekend, holiday, etc.. Usually it's just me but the kids visit and a house full of people with no hot water is not something I want to ever happen.
I've seen the tankless water heaters at Home Depot at what seems to be an OK price but not the installation kits. I think I would want to have a plumber's help, maybe they want to sell him the kit? Or it has to come from a plumbing supply or something? The plumber I used on an addition last year would let me be his helper to cut cost and that seems like a good arrangement. We could probably knock it off in a day. But I don't want to install the heater until I have at least a solid plan for the gas.
Anybody have an opinion on using a little gas grill tank as a backup? I have at least 3. And lots of places sell tanks somewhat full you can swap your "empty" tank for. If the little tank holds 1/5 of the big one, it seems like it could give me several days of backup.
Another potential use for the propane is a backup generator. It would save hauling gasoline and help the generator last longer. I got city water partially to have water if I loose power. I think if I had hot water, a little heat from the fireplace insert and a generator big enough to run the refrigerator plus a few other smallish loads I could be reasonably comfortable for our typically few hour power outage (I had one for 5 hours a few weeks ago, apparently due to wind).
Any suggestions?