What's the propane usage on this? If I use a small 20lb propane tank, approximately how long would it last for a small home with 3 people?
1768806
There are too many variables to really answer that accurately. How often and how long are your showers? Bath tub or just showers? Do you have a dishwasher? What temperature setting will you have on it? How long is the hot water pipe run to your furthest appliance, etc. I have a large tank with generator, fireplace and the hot water heater. I fill it up once per year unless the generator runs due to a power outage. The Rinnai is quite efficient, but I would recommend you go with at least a 30lb tank and have another full tank on stand by until you learn your usage.
1768807
I am a certified Rinnai technician. It is not recommended to us such a small cylinder on the R94, or any other on demand water heater. That said, a 20# cylinder holds about 4 gallons of LP gas. I've installations with a five person household that use about 12 gallons per month. The issue is not with the holding capacity of the cylinder, but with the vaporization capacity. I would suggest using a 100# cylinder which is available at Home Depot or Lowes. That will give you approximately 25 gallons of storage, and it will vaporize sufficiently to maintain adequate pressure. Hope this helps Additionally, the piping to the heater from the second stage regulator must be able to handle the gas flow properly. Rinnai specs a 3/4 inch line (iron pipe or csst) from the regulator to the inlet of the water heater.
1768808
I installed this unit last February. I have a 375 gal tank and home only uses gas for the Rinnai and my home furnace. Over the summer/fall when my furnace is not in use, the gauge barely moves on my tank. My best guess is that a 20 lb tank would last 2 months. Consider what fittings and connections you might need because the typical 20 fitting for a grill might not give you enough flow for the Rinnai.
1768809
Sorry, we have a 250 gal tank also, and use it for cooking and supplemental heat also.
2218773
It was actually designed to be used with the small propane bottles but they include an adapter to use the 20# tanks. This is another reason I bought it. I have not used it with the smaller bottles, but I would think there wouldn't be much difference except for the longevity of the bottle. Thanks for asking!
256380
The blower is powered by 120VAC, I use mine in the garage during the winter months. I also use the propane tank from my BBQ grill. A 20lb LP tank will give you about 12 hours of continued heat. I love mine, I think you will too>
1465089
I use my heater inside my home. I don't operate it at night or around my small grandchildren but as long as you monitor it, I believe it is a safe unit to operate. I usually operate it in the evenings until bedtime and on weekends. It uses about 2 20# tanks of propane a week. Since it is equipped with an OPD sensor, it seems to be OK for indoor use.
952713
Christian, This heater is the very best we've owned, but it will not operate on a 20lb. portable tank in my opinion. We had tried a 40lb. tank from the local propane dealer many years ago with a different heater and it worked, but not well.....took an entire day to heat the pool and used so much propane [because of the lower pressure of a portable] that it was totally consumed in two days' time. We have a large [permanent] 80lb. unit now like the ones that people use for small home heaters and propane cooking stoves.....one fill lasts almost all Season and the heater runs like a champ.
1565840
I would have to agree w/ Toshi...if you are going to use this for primary heat, you should get a larger capacity tank else you will be RE-filling it ALL the time! :P...I only use this heater as my back-up emergency heat source & I run it off a 20lb (think BBQ tank!) & 30lb (travel trailer size) tank for convenience...one 20 lb tank heating about 1000sq. ft will only last me about 1-2 days when extremely cold out (less than 20 degrees or so), otherwise if the temperatures are 'moderate' you may actually get a few days from a 20lb tank! Hope this helps! ;)
1541740
The Grill only weighs about 30 ish pounds, not bad at all. If you are using a small tank it can screw directly into the grill. This is a good unit. I personally have used both the small tank and larger 20 ppond tank. The small er one is handy for tailgating somewhere, then I use the larger for camping when the grill is set up and in place for a few days. Hope this helps you out, Tim
1541738
50 to 60 pounds. It rolls very easily in the opened and closed positions. You do not need the propane hose adapter if you use the small tanks. I only use the small tanks and we use our grill 2 - 3 times per week. The tank will last about a month. With the lid closed it heats up VERY quickly! Watch it. The small tanks are always on-sale. Walmart has the best everyday price and they are on-sale at Menards this week 4 for $9.
1274480
Well. Obviously it will last as long as you run it to a degree. I have used my two for a season now. I thought I'd use it equally in the fall as the spring but I used them mostly in the fall and hardly any in the spring. I'd say I used about two tanks per heater for the fall with fairly heavy use. When you entertain on a patio burning both on full you'll burn more fuel but many times it's just my wife and I drinking coffee or reading for a spell with them turned back a bit. I do not harbor any sentiments that I've bought two gas hogs. No more than a gas grill.
2110114
It is connected to a set of 30 pound propane tanks and it is workingd good. It is using only one tank at a time. A 20 pound tank I have never tryied.
1819714
20 lb tank of propane holds approx 4 gallons of propane (approx 366000 BTUs) so you can figure on about 10 hours from a tank (heater is rated at 35,000 BTUs) ..as a rule, keep a full second tank availableI have a two-car garage and it heats it up nice and toasty - but I only use it for car repairs in the winter (maybe 2- 3 hours at a time). As mentioned, it is a bit noisy, but nothing super offensive. Also, always remember to leave a door or window open for ventilation when using a propane (or any kind of fossil-fuel) heater -
2201359
20 lb tank is fine. I think you can burn a couple lbs an hour, but it heats up so fast I always turn it off after a 1/2 hr and back on later.
1514119
There are an enormous number of variables which would make this a very difficult question. Would you use a large grill, small grill or just a single small burner. The way I would suggest for you is to buy a 1 pound disposable tank and see how long it lasts with the burner you are asking about. Then you can multiply the amount of lbs in the Worthington tank and then you will know how it will last.
1850252
I believe 4 hours depending on the setting. you are best to get the extra hose to use a 20lb bottle of propane [used for grills]. I have had mine for over a year and am very happy with it.
1927729
I have this hooked to my house natural gas. It produces a great deal of heat with a significant gas flow. Although I haven't tried it with Propane I would guess a 20lb tank would be inadequate for the type of gas flow and heat produced.
2262515
On a low setting a 20lbs tank will last 20 hrs. On a high setting it will last 8. Heat raises so not much insulation is needed. My tank is 1' below the fire.
1261921
yes. Whenever I have used this heater in my hot house ,I have always used a 20 gal. propane tank and it works very well.