Can A Natural Gas Furnace Be Converted To Propane

Contractors and homeowners are switching away from fuel oil to gain efficiency comfort and reduced maintenance with propane or natural gas furnaces.

Can a natural gas furnace be converted to propane. While converting natural gas to propane is quite simple some city codes mandate that it be done by a professional. The density difference between propane and natural gas means that propane gas appliances such as furnaces and ranges must be converted to handle the lighter natural gas. In order to adjust for the difference in pressure of these gases the internal workings of the furnace must be changed using such conversion kits which should be installed by a licensed technician. As oil to propane boiler conversions become increasingly popular in the northeast a similar trend is spreading in the forced air heating market.

Converting a gas appliance such as a furnace from natural gas to propane requires technical skill and knowledge of gas burning appliances. Conversion involves replacing the propane regulators and orifices in the appliance with ones designed for natural gas. In some cases you can purchase a conversion kit to convert your natural gas furnace to one that employs propane. Sometimes switching to propane fuel is a better option.

Most but not all appliances can be converted from natural gas to propane. The biggest sticking point is that natural gas is kept at a lower pressure and some appliances can t handle the higher pressure of propane even with adjustments. Converting a furnace to propane from natural gas or vice versa is a straight forward simple process but great care has to be taken because of the possible danger if done wrong. Converting natural gas to propane or propane to natural gas is the same processes by installing new orifices.

You will want to check the coding for your appliance to make sure that the conversion is possible. Some propane appliances such as water heaters cannot be converted and must be. Switching the fuel of your furnace is something that should be carefully planned and every option should be considered in order to do it right.