To tell the difference between a natural gas heater and a propane heater, you need to consider several key factors, including fuel type, fuel pressure, fuel measurements, and orifice size. This comprehensive guide will provide you with the technical details and specific data points to help you accurately identify the differences between these two types of heating systems.
Fuel Type
The most obvious difference between natural gas and propane heaters is the fuel type. Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, a hydrocarbon gas, while propane is a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that is stored under pressure in a tank.
- Natural gas is typically measured in cubic feet, with an energy content of around 1,000 BTU per cubic foot.
- Propane, on the other hand, is measured in gallons and has an energy content of approximately 91,500 BTU per gallon, which is about twice the energy content of natural gas.
This difference in energy content means that propane heaters can produce more heat output than natural gas heaters, even with the same fuel consumption.
Fuel Pressure
The fuel pressure is another critical factor that distinguishes natural gas and propane heaters.
- Natural gas typically has a lower pressure, ranging from 0.5 to 7 inches of water column (WC), as it is delivered through a pipeline system.
- Propane, however, is stored under higher pressure, typically between 10 to 13 inches of WC, due to the liquefied nature of the fuel.
This pressure difference can affect the orifice size and the size of the burner tips, which are essential components in the combustion process.
Fuel Measurements
The way natural gas and propane are measured is also a key difference.
- Natural gas is measured in cubic feet, while propane is measured in gallons.
- To compare the cost of natural gas and propane, it’s important to consider the energy content of each fuel. As mentioned earlier, propane has a higher energy content per unit of measurement, so the cost per BTU may be different.
For example, if natural gas costs $0.50 per therm (100 cubic feet) and propane costs $2.50 per gallon, the cost per BTU would be $0.05 for natural gas and $0.027 for propane, making propane the more cost-effective option in this scenario.
Orifice Size
The orifice size is a critical factor in determining the difference between natural gas and propane heaters.
- The orifice is the opening through which the fuel flows into the burner.
- Natural gas heaters have a smaller orifice size, typically ranging from 0.0625 to 0.125 inches in diameter, due to the lower energy content of natural gas.
- Propane heaters, on the other hand, have a larger orifice size, typically ranging from 0.0937 to 0.1875 inches in diameter, to accommodate the higher energy content of propane.
If you need to convert a natural gas heater to a propane heater, you’ll need to change the orifice size to ensure the proper fuel-air mixture and heat output. This is a job best left to a qualified HVAC technician, as improper orifice sizing can lead to safety issues and reduced efficiency.
Conclusion
In summary, to tell the difference between a natural gas heater and a propane heater, you need to consider the following key factors:
- Fuel type: Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, while propane is a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
- Fuel pressure: Natural gas has a lower pressure (0.5 to 7 inches of WC) compared to propane (10 to 13 inches of WC).
- Fuel measurements: Natural gas is measured in cubic feet, while propane is measured in gallons.
- Orifice size: Natural gas heaters have a smaller orifice size (0.0625 to 0.125 inches) compared to propane heaters (0.0937 to 0.1875 inches).
By understanding these key differences, you can accurately identify the type of heating system you have and make informed decisions about maintenance, repairs, or potential fuel conversions.
References:
– Comfort Masters DFW – Propane vs. Natural Gas Heaters
– PeachParts – How to Determine if a Furnace is LPG or NG
– Griffith Energy Services – 5 Differences Between Natural Gas and Propane