propane tank size questions

[papadoppa]

Howdy. I live in a neighborhood where there is no natural gas lines. Of course, I can get propane delivered. Problem is where I would want the propane tank installed and the rules of filling a tank and location of this tank...there's a lot of nuance to my problem but long story long the easiest way for me to solve this problem is smaller tanks as certain rules don't apply to smaller tanks.

That said, my pool engineer buddy said that it might not work. The reason smaller tanks won't work is because there needs to be enough pressure for the fuel to combust and BTU and some other sciencey stuff that went over my head.

Therefore my question is, if I can get a free master temp heater 400 (convert it to LP) will a couple of 100 lb tanks work or will I need a larger tank? Or am I overthinking it?

 

[ajw22]

You need one large tank. This has been asked and tried before.

Can I Run Jandy JXI on 100lb tank?

Hello, So I had a Jandy tech come out and after multiple test, they realize my old 1995 500gal propane tank is shut. I have to replace it. I don't run anything else on that tank other than this pool heater. Would it be possible to run this pool heater on one (or two) 120lb tank? We're in South...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[papadoppa]

Thanks for the painful truth. I appreciate it.
That's not great news. Now I have to add a gate to the equipment side of the house so the truck can monitor the tanks and truck at the same time....ugh. Cost just went up.

 

[JamesW]

Cost just went up.

Wait till you get the propane bill.

 

[papadoppa]

Wait till you get the propane bill.

Propane isn't that bad around here tbh. I already use a heat pump to heat but figured that I could use gas to raise it quicker then maintain with the heat pump to get some efficiency. Also, if I remodel my home in a year I'll use the tank to put gas appliances in the house.

I'm more annoyed at now I need a gate, block work, stucco, paint, then a small pad for the tank before I can even install the dang tank. That's easily $4500 right there.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Sounds like you need to go heat pump instead. But it won't be free.

 

[papadoppa]

Sounds like you need to go heat pump instead. But it won't be free.

Yeah but that's relatively loud

Sounds like you need to go heat pump instead. But it won't be free.

Just came up with a solution. Bury the tank in my front yard. One large diameter pipe to side of house, then branch off of that to the heater and other potential future items.

 

[ol_whistle_britches]

Just came up with a solution. Bury the tank in my front yard. One large diameter pipe to side of house, then branch off of that to the heater and other potential future items.

I buried a couple of 2,000 gallon tanks once for a hotel. Make sure the installer earths (grounds) them properly.

 

[proavia]

I'd be concerned that the free gas heater was "free" because it's on its last leg.
How old is the gas heater?
What condition is it in?
Any rust?

Have you checked local codes yet about burying a propane tank in the front yard in a residential neighborhood.
What kind of permitting will be required?

 

[Dirk]

Have you considered solar heating? Is that a thing in AZ? I'm in Central CA. I get about 5-10° extra each day during swim season, and maybe a couple extra weeks on each side of swim season. It wouldn't heat the pool enough in the winter though. I installed it myself and saved $7K. And now it costs me nothing to heat my pool.

It's not the the best way to get a pool warmer, but the price is right! And it allows me to swim more days and hours than without it. It was a good ROI.

 

[Dirk]

Oh, and Intellicenter probably works the same as my EasyTouch: it can analyze which heat source can best heat a pool for current conditions, and control both solar panels and your heat pump to get you to temp and maintain it in the most cost-effective way. I've never tried this, as I've never turned on my gas heater once, but that's how the manual describes it.

 

[papadoppa]

I'd be concerned that the free gas heater was "free" because it's on its last leg.
How old is the gas heater?
What condition is it in?
Any rust?

Have you checked local codes yet about burying a propane tank in the front yard in a residential neighborhood.
What kind of permitting will be required?

I did a remodel for a client about 3 years ago that took 2 years to accomplish. They finished the pool less than 2 years ago. The client never moved in. Someone else recently bought the house, I'm going to remodel it again.

Pool is being remodeled too and all the equipment is going to be replaced with new equipment. It's wild but that's what I do for a living. I redo the same work over and over again. It's feasible that the heater was turned on 2x but likely never used.

I have not checked on permits or whatever but the propane company will be able to help with all of that. My plumber can trench a line and we will get that inspected.

 

[papadoppa]

Have you considered solar heating? Is that a thing in AZ? I'm in Central CA. I get about 5-10° extra each day during swim season, and maybe a couple extra weeks on each side of swim season. It wouldn't heat the pool enough in the winter though. I installed it myself and saved $7K. And now it costs me nothing to heat my pool.

It's not the the best way to get a pool warmer, but the price is right! And it allows me to swim more days and hours than without it. It was a good ROI.

I've seen the things on people's roofs before and from what I understand they do work well. Especially when combined with a cover. I have not considered it though. Something to look into

 

[Newdude]

How large of a tank are you burying ? With future expansion into the home once its there, I'd go large. Gas fluctuates like anything else and while you wouldn't *have* to buy 1000 or 1500 gallons because it was cheap at the moment, you could if you wanted to save big in the long run.

4 times saving $1.50 per gallon nearly pays for everything you did.

 

[Katodude]

+1 on bigger is better. I have a 250 gallon buried tank and I wish it was bigger.

Not just that you can buy when propane is cheaper, but there is a fill charge every time they come. Around here that is $30-$40. So having to fill less often is valuable too.

Buy once cry once.