Propane contractors?

[Shellback]

Thinking about a 12K standby generator. I have a buried propane tank now to service my home furnace. The line for the furnace is 1/2 iron pipe, and I'm wondering if I can extend the the line 20 feet with more 1/2 IP to service the generator? Or would I need to increase the size of the IP to service both the furnace and the generator? No other propane appliances other than the generator. Thanks!

[Hot Runr Guy]

Heck, Generac doesn't even show 1/2" pipe in their length of run charts. One item to consider is that if the power goes out in the winter, you'll want to run BOTH the furnace and the generator at the same time, so I'm thinking a line-size upgrade is in your future.

HRG

[Shellback]

Looking at the chart, using 3/4" pipe and running an 11K generator, it should be good for a run of 70 feet or 21 meters?

[Hot Runr Guy]

Originally Posted by Shellback

Looking at the chart, using 3/4" pipe and running an 11K generator, it should be good for a run of 70 feet or 21 meters?

That's how I interpret the chart. What I don't know is if that allows for any other LP appliance or not.

2 years ago, as we were working with the builder of our new house, I casually mentioned that I might add a whole house generator in the future. 6 months later, as construction was well underway, I get a call from them, asking if I wanted a FREE up-size of the Nat Gas line to the house & meter, from 3/4" to 1". Made no difference to the utility what size line they ran, I saw no down-side, so I took the upgrade.

HRG

[Johnboy]

How old is your existing IP installation ?
I would never use it underground for any kind of gas supply. 1 inch polyethylene is inexpensive and would never fail due to corrosion or rust. Home Depot sells it and the risers, couplings and tees for it.

[Shellback]

I have 1/2 IP from the second regulator outside my house to my furnace for a run of about 25 feet. I'd need to extend that about 20 more feet for the generator. Another option would be place a 120 gallon tank by the generator. About $600 to buy the tank from an independent dealer,, or using my propane supplier, $60 installation and $15 a month to lease with them monitoring the level remotely to insure I have enough propane on hand for power outages. My supplier doesn't sell tanks, but would fill one I purchased.

[Shellback]

Originally Posted by Johnboy

How old is your existing IP installation ?
I would never use it underground for any kind of gas supply. 1 inch polyethylene is inexpensive and would never fail due to corrosion or rust. Home Depot sells it and the risers, couplings and tees for it.

IP pipe is all inside my home, 25 y/o.

[Shellback]

More info. Generator uses 1.22 gallons per hr a 1/2 load and 1.97 gallons per hr at full load.
Furnace is a 60,000 btu model and they recommend 1/2" pipe. 1/2" pipe is standard up to the 100,000 btu model. Anybody know what 60,000 btu's is in gallons per hr?

[Hot Runr Guy]

Originally Posted by Shellback

More info. Generator uses 1.22 gallons per hr a 1/2 load and 1.97 gallons per hr at full load.
Furnace is a 60,000 btu model and they recommend 1/2" pipe. 1/2" pipe is standard up to the 100,000 btu model. Anybody know what 60,000 btu's is in gallons per hr?

1 gal/hr = 91,547 btu's, so a 60k BTU furnace will use .655 gal/hr.

HRG

[Shellback]

Looks like I need to get a price on 3/4 IP to supply the heater and the generator.