natural gas propane conversion ?
My Sister in law just bought at new TT that she will be living in. only 2 propane tanks in the front. Doesnt last very long. what about converting to natural gas? she does have natural gas on the prop...
Forum Discussion
First off
Natural gas regulators need to be set for 7" WC (0.25 psi) vs propane which is set at 11" WC (0.4 psi)
This is due to natural gas orifices being larger because of the lower btu content of natural gas vs propane
Secondly...
Natural gas btu is only 1,030BTU per 1 cubic foot
Propane is 2,516BTU per cubic foot
So propane is more efficient due to higher btu content
BUT...
Natural gas is WAY less expensive then propane
$15 for 1,000 cubic feet of natural gas is equal to 11+ gallons of propane and at $2.50/gal that would cost $27.50 for same energy content
Natural gas wins in the cost category
Thirdly...
*Main regulator would have to be changed out for natural gas requirement (or attempt to adjust one to lower system pressure of 7"WC)
*All propane appliances.....water heater, fridge, furnace, stove top burners and oven....would need orifices changed to larger sizes for natural gas
*Stove top and oven regulator would need to be changed/adjusted...propane reg for stove top/oven set for 10"WC.....
*Air shutters.......critical for mixing to create correct fuel/air ratios
Several RV propane appliances do not have shutters......fixed position based on system pressure/fuel flow-
Fourthly......
MANY appliances are designed for specific fuel and are not to be converted
So instead of reinventing the wheel........just get larger propane cylinder(s)
They come in 30#, 40# and even 100#
Natural gas regulators need to be set for 7" WC (0.25 psi) vs propane which is set at 11" WC (0.4 psi)
This is due to natural gas orifices being larger because of the lower btu content of natural gas vs propane
Secondly...
Natural gas btu is only 1,030BTU per 1 cubic foot
Propane is 2,516BTU per cubic foot
So propane is more efficient due to higher btu content
BUT...
Natural gas is WAY less expensive then propane
$15 for 1,000 cubic feet of natural gas is equal to 11+ gallons of propane and at $2.50/gal that would cost $27.50 for same energy content
Natural gas wins in the cost category
Thirdly...
*Main regulator would have to be changed out for natural gas requirement (or attempt to adjust one to lower system pressure of 7"WC)
*All propane appliances.....water heater, fridge, furnace, stove top burners and oven....would need orifices changed to larger sizes for natural gas
*Stove top and oven regulator would need to be changed/adjusted...propane reg for stove top/oven set for 10"WC.....
*Air shutters.......critical for mixing to create correct fuel/air ratios
Several RV propane appliances do not have shutters......fixed position based on system pressure/fuel flow-
Fourthly......
MANY appliances are designed for specific fuel and are not to be converted
So instead of reinventing the wheel........just get larger propane cylinder(s)
They come in 30#, 40# and even 100#
