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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / How much propane will this use?
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Heus
Member
# Posted: 2 Jun 2014 12:12
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http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/homcomfortreg%3B-direct-vent-14000-btu-heater-l p-gas

Anyone have any experience with this direct vent heater or a similar one? I would like to know how long it would take to go through a 20lb cylinder in a well-insulated 10x16 cabin in 0-20 degree temps. Are we talking days, weeks,???? Thanks

cman47c
Member
# Posted: 2 Jun 2014 12:28
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About 36 hours of on time on the low setting. At very cold outside temperatures, the 20 LB cylinder will get somewhat unreliable and also as the tank gets less than half full fuel flow may be erratic and cause the pilot/unit to shutdown.

MtnDon
Member
# Posted: 2 Jun 2014 15:53
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cman47c is right on the money with the caveat about cold weather and 20# cylinders. You can calculate the run time by checking the BTU per pound of propane. Keep in mind the BTU rating of an appliance like a heater is for the heat output that goes into the room, as a rule. There is waste so you need to use the input figure which will be higher. Might have to look in the user manual for that.

We have an 18000 rated heater from Northern Tool. With AC fan but can be used w/o the fan. The rate of heating a room is a little slower w/o the fan. Heatwrs and pther propane burning appliances also need orifice/jet changed for higher altitudes. Check the manual on that too.

creeky
Member
# Posted: 2 Jun 2014 16:01
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A bigger tank will solve the flow issue.

I have the same heater. A 100 lber lasts six weeks to two months in my very well insulated 8x16 outhouse (to -30). Two tanks did me all winter.

This building is well sealed and receives good solar augmentation on sunny days.

They're good heaters. The thermostat is somewhat accurate and it only takes 5 minutes or so to get the thing started. Plus ... you know ... exterior vented. And install is pretty straight forward.

Heus
Member
# Posted: 2 Jun 2014 17:04
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Thanks for the info everyone.

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