I'm always impressed by people who are knowledgeable enough to build or modify their own systems. I know almost nothing about heating systems, but seem to know more than my local HVAC people (frightening) and need to replace my 2006 Newmac wood/oil combo (I live in Vermont) because the heat exchanger cracked (the oil side is still safe to use). Last week, I purchased a Caddy Advanced wood furnance with ECM motor and it will be installed on January 30. I have to figure out a backup heat source ASAP. I am likely to go with propane because it can be vented directly outdoors. I'm not thrilled about it, but I already use propane for my cook stove. The other option is a ducted heat pump, but I'm suspicious that it would be durable in the one location it could fit and a little suspicious about the sales tactics I've witnessed. This is an expensive endeavor for me, and I'm trying not to burst into tears. Thanks for letting me vent!
Looking at new wood furnaces!!!
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As mentioned a bit earlier in this thread, I did have an energy king furnace. Built like a brick S house but man oh man, did it ever eat firewood! Put out the heat but I didn't see any efficiency with it.
Glad I pulled the trigger on the Vapor Fire. Don't think anyone would regret it.
Glad I pulled the trigger on the Vapor Fire. Don't think anyone would regret it.
Wood1Dennis
Burning Hunk
You did fine with the Caddy. They are really good furnaces.
I am always surprised at how you folks out east don't seem to run gas furnaces. Around here every HVAC contractor does gas furnaces, oil burners are clearly the exception. Why are you not thrilled about using propane for backup?
I am always surprised at how you folks out east don't seem to run gas furnaces. Around here every HVAC contractor does gas furnaces, oil burners are clearly the exception. Why are you not thrilled about using propane for backup?
Gas is hard to come by down East ( US or Canada )
no pipelines from the west. Oil is more so available
Where I live in Ontario gas is not available (Farm)
So we heat with wood and to get off oil and
the demands of insurance co. we use expensive
Propane as a backup ( ins thinks it is primary)
I have a wood /propane combination unit. It works well
and the wood side heats this old farmhouse with ease
4 cords a year. Have not bought Propane in 3 years and tanks are still at 60 %
brenndatomu
Minister of Fire
Its pronounced "pro-pain"...as in the wallet!
woodey
Feeling the Heat
What's propane going for in your neck of the woods? I topped my tank off a few weeks ago as I use it for DHW and backup heat when we are away. Paid $2.24.
brenndatomu
Minister of Fire
No idea...have oil for backup, and haven't bought anything "fossil fuel" wise (other than gasoline) in many many moons...
Wood1Dennis
Burning Hunk
I did a little ciphering this morning just because I wanted to answer my own question about why fuel oil is so common in the Northeast.
You guys pay a LOT for LP, I can see why you call if Pro-Pain!
I did a little comparison and it is clear. You get more BTU for your dollar with oil in the NE, but here in the Midwest, it is the opposite.
![[Hearth.com] Looking at new wood furnaces!!!](https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/1704685550223-webp.322281/ "[Hearth.com] Looking at new wood furnaces!!!")
Interesting to do the comparison! It is surprising to me that there is such a discrepancy in LP prices.
My house is heated almost exclusively with firewood. I use LP to backup my wood furnace, hot water, clothes dryer, and heating an outbuilding. I only use about 400 gallons a year so my cost for fossil fuel is minimal, the way I like it!
You guys pay a LOT for LP, I can see why you call if Pro-Pain!
I did a little comparison and it is clear. You get more BTU for your dollar with oil in the NE, but here in the Midwest, it is the opposite.
Interesting to do the comparison! It is surprising to me that there is such a discrepancy in LP prices.
My house is heated almost exclusively with firewood. I use LP to backup my wood furnace, hot water, clothes dryer, and heating an outbuilding. I only use about 400 gallons a year so my cost for fossil fuel is minimal, the way I like it!
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What kind of wood furnace do you have, and what kind of propane furnace do you have? How do you vent these systems?
I've seen the price of propane vary by at least $3 a gallon over the years. I have my own 1,000 gallon tank and use under 100 gallons a year. I've purchased it twice in the last decade, slightly above and below $1 a gallon. I wouldn't want to be in a situation where I had to buy it in January, or even in a particular year, or from a particular supplier. It's nice to have 6-900 gallons of backup fuel in the ground in case SHTF.
Wood1Dennis
Burning Hunk
Our wood furnace is a 2016 PSG Caddy with 6" metal chimney.
The LP is a Rheem Prestige condensing two stage R96V. Also from 2016.
The gas furnace vents with two 2" PVC pipes that exit through the sill. One is intake and one is the exhaust vent. Because these gas furnaces are so efficient the exhaust is relatively cool and they can vent through PVC. A big advantage if you want to add a wood burner but only have one chimney.
Looks like a nice clean setup taking up minimal floor space. How is the ductwork sized and setup?
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