Do-it-yourself heating with gas from cylinders. Heating a country house with gas cylinders

Is bottled gas heating profitable?

Many of those who are going to arrange autonomous heating are interested in how profitable the use of liquefied fuel is. It is impossible to answer this question unambiguously, since climatic conditions can differ significantly in different regions of the country, and the cost of energy carriers also varies. Therefore, the calculation should be made for each type of fuel.

When determining the required costs for gas heating from cylinders, one should also take into account the costs of regular transportation of containers for their refueling. As practice shows, heating on liquefied fuel turns out to be profitable if 3 conditions are met:

• the house is sufficiently insulated;
• housing area less than 100 m²;
• there is another alternative source of heating.

Heating on bottled gas is the best option if your village is going to be gasified in the near future, and such heating is only a temporary measure.

Most owners of an LPG heating system have an alternative heating source. In severe frosts, they switch to the use of electrical installations or solid fuel heating.

Summer has come, but the question of how and with what to heat a country house does not lose its relevance.

Regular readers of our site have already managed to get acquainted with the article: "".

Despite the fact that there are many heating systems on the market, many residents would like to heat their home with mains gas.

However, it is not always possible to connect to the “blue fuel” pipeline. If there is no gas and gasification of your individual housing does not shine in the near future, liquefied gas from cylinders will become an alternative.

Is gas-balloon heating profitable?

It seems that autonomous gas heating of a private house is easy and simple to organize. All you need is:

• Buy a gas boiler. Most of the boilers operating on main gas can also operate on liquefied gas. To do this, you need to change the nozzles and, if necessary, reconfigure the control system;
• Purchase a gearbox, gas-cylinder equipment and valves;
• Connect and set up the heating system.

The main questions that arise for any homeowner who is thinking about an LPG heating system are:

• Will I be able to heat the house;
• How long can the boiler work on one cylinder.

Autonomous gas heating of a private house is best organized using 50-liter liquefied gas cylinders.

The practical experience of members of the forum suggests that it is unprofitable to heat a private house with gas from cylinders if the cottage is poorly insulated and the building has large heat losses. It is necessary to take into account the total area of ​​​​a country house. Gas heating from cylinders of a cottage with an area of ​​150-200 sq.m. can cost a pretty penny.

In this case, solid fuel boilers can become an alternative.

- I heard that one 50-liter tank is enough for 1-2 days of work (and this is without taking into account the use of hot water supply).

- I heard that one cylinder with a capacity of 50 liters is enough for 1-2 days of work (and this is without taking into account the use of hot water).

Schweik:

- I heated a house with an area of ​​70 sq.m. with gas. On average (depending on the temperature outside), one 50 l cylinder was enough for me for a period of 1 to 7 days.

Endless:

- I have a well-insulated frame house. I heat about 140 sq.m. At outdoor temperatures down to -20°C, three cylinders are enough for 5-6 days. At -5°C - for 10 days.

- I have a house with an area of ​​145 sq.m, the foundation is UWB, heating with underfloor heating plus hot water supply. The boiler turned on twice a day, for 2-3 hours. Cylinders of 50 l filled with 20 kg. The temperature in the house was set to 23°C. The monthly costs are as follows:

• November - it took 4 cylinders. Temperature outside +5-0°C.
• December - it took 10 pieces. Temperature outside -10 -27°C.
• January - it took 8 pcs. Outdoor temperature -5 - 20°C.
• February - it took 7 pieces. Outdoor temperature -5 -15°C.
• March - it took 6 pcs. Outdoor temperature -5 +5°C.

From 35 to 42 liters of gas is placed in one gas cylinder, in liquid form it is 22 kg. Consumption of liquefied gas for any boiler - 15 liters per day per 100 sq.m. heated area.

Before you understand whether the game is worth the candle and whether autonomous gas heating of a country house will pay off, you need to familiarize yourself with the following data, which presents the economic feasibility of a particular type of heating.

1. \u003d 33 kop / kWh.

2. An electric boiler operating in conjunction with a TA (thermal accumulator) at a night rate = 0.92-1.32 rubles / kWh.

3. Pellet boiler = 1.20 -1.32 rubles / kW * h.

For comparison, the efficiency of heating on liquefied gas is only 2.32 rubles / kWh.

When calculating the efficiency of a particular heating system, it should be taken into account that in the suburbs of Moscow and other regions there may be priorities in choosing fuel, which depend on its availability and climatic conditions. Somewhere it is cheaper to heat the house with coal, and somewhere with firewood.

When calculating the profitability of heating with liquefied gas, many people forget that cylinders will have to be transported to a gas station on average once a week, and these are additional costs, both monetary and temporary. Therefore, heating on liquefied gas can be beneficial if 4 conditions are met:

• Small area of ​​the house - up to 100 sq.m.;
• The house is well insulated;
• In the near future, your village is planned to be gasified, main gas will be connected. In this case, heating with liquefied gas is a temporary measure that allows you not to buy two different boilers;
• The liquefied gas boiler is a backup and works in conjunction with other heating appliances.

evo:

– When I leave for work, I turn off the home gas boiler and turn on the heaters powered by electricity, because. in frosts below -20°C, the gas runs out quickly. In such a “sparing” mode, two cylinders are enough for me for 7 days. And this includes the preparation of hot water. I recommend purchasing at least 3 bottles. One - for the operation of the boiler, one - as a reserve, one - for refueling.

You can also mount a bunch of electric and gas boilers.

Despite the increase in the cost of such a heating system, the overpayment is not for the sake of saving, but to increase comfort.

In this case, the need to travel and refill tanks is partially eliminated.

Features of gas-balloon heating

To install a reliable and safe heating system on liquefied gas, it is necessary to understand its features, which are due to the properties of this fuel.

Cylinders are filled with a mixture of propane and butane. This mixture, at high pressure, is in a liquid state, which is necessary for its transportation. Also, tanks can be filled with different types of fuel - depending on the season:

• technical butane (BT);
• summer technical mixture of propane and butane (SPBTL);
• winter technical mixture of propane and butane (SPBTZ).

Liquefied hydrocarbon gases (propane-butane) are abbreviated as LPG.

Gas-balloon heating requires special attention in winter.

– We decided to heat a house with an area of ​​120 sq.m. using a gas boiler running on liquefied gas. Gas cylinders are on the street in metal cabinets. There is one for the stove, and a bunch of 5 cylinders has been made for the gas boiler, but so far only 2 are connected. When the temperature drops to -2 ° C, a problem arises - gas does not flow, and the boiler, accordingly, does not work. I think the gas is frozen.

Gas neither in pipes, nor in cylinders does not freeze. It simply does not evaporate, and again turns into a liquid inside the gas pipe if it has a negative temperature.

This happens for the following reason. The boiling point of butane is about 0°C. The boiling point of propane is -40°C. At a street temperature of -10 ° C, the propane-butane mixture in the cylinder boils, giving out the gaseous fraction necessary for the operation of the boiler. Propane will evaporate first, and only then the turn will reach butane. During this process, heat is absorbed. The balloon starts to freeze. As a result, the gas remaining in the cylinder (butane) also cools down. This leads to a decrease in the degree of its evaporation. Accordingly, the pressure necessary for the operation of the boiler drops.

There is only one way out - to prevent the cylinder from freezing and warm it to a positive temperature, necessary for the evaporation of butane. You can do this as suggested by a forum member with a nickname Ruslan2.

- In my opinion, the best way to deal with this problem is to force the gas cylinders to be blown with warm air from the room (boiler room) where the boiler is installed: with a fan through an aluminum corrugation or plastic air ducts led into gas boxes, etc.

It is also possible to heat the cylinders (only not with open electrical cables!) According to the principle of a warm water floor, placing them in an insulated gas cabinet.

Safety measures when using gas equipment

A mixture of propane-butane is much heavier than air. Liquefied gas from cylinders always accumulates at the bottom. In the event of a gas leak, if the cylinder is in the room, you can simply not smell it until it reaches an explosive concentration. Therefore, it is planned to install the container outdoors, vertically in an iron box with holes at the bottom and top for ventilation.

gray-haired2:

- I know a case when a man lowered a gas cylinder into the cellar. One day the homeowner decided to pick potatoes. He climbed into the cellar. He did not feel the smell of gas, and since. there was no switch, he just screwed the light bulb into the socket. There was an explosion. The man was lucky, being at the epicenter of the explosion, he escaped with only a shell shock, and a pile of construction debris remained from his garage and two neighboring ones.

Safety rules prohibit: placing gas cylinders in the underground, basements, cellars, pits dug in the yard or near the house.

• It is forbidden to use electric heaters, heating cables, heating elements, etc. for heating gas cylinders.
• Gas cylinders must be placed in special cabinets installed on the north side of the house.

• The cylinder must not be filled more than 80% of its volume. Liquid gas has a large coefficient of volumetric expansion. This means that as the temperature rises, the volume of gas in the vessel increases. The expansion coefficient of the propane-butane mixture is about 7%. According to Russian standards, 15% is left for expansion. A cylinder of any thickness and strength will burst if filled to more than 93% in -20°C frost and brought into a room where +20°C.

• All detachable connections on the gas line must be checked for leakage by washing.
• Detachable connections are made at the points of attachment of various elements where other connections are not possible (faucets, meters, gas appliances, etc.)

• Gas pipelines are made of steel pipes with a wall thickness of at least 2 mm. When passing through the walls, the pipe is placed in a case foamed with a soft material. The connection of the boiler to the gas pipeline can be done with a flexible connection specially designed for this purpose. The reducer is connected to the gas pipeline with a rubber-fabric sleeve (durite hose).

• If the cylinder is located in the room next to the boiler, then the connection is made with a rubber-fabric sleeve.

FORUMHOUSE users can learn about what to do if, discuss the details, learn about such gas in the house, take part in the discussion of the issue.
From our video you can learn how to heat a large house in the absence of main gas.

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The most popular way to heat country houses today is to use gas boilers, you can see how they look in the photo. This is influenced by several factors, and above all - the cost of resources. Heating your home with gas cylinders is an economical and efficient method.

Features of heating a house with gas cylinders

The gas leaving the cylinder through the reducer, as a result of a rapid decrease in pressure, returns to its natural state. It is then burned in a boiler, releasing a large amount of heat.

Advantages of heating on gas cylinders

• environmentally friendly fuel is used;
• autonomy;
• fuel consumption;
• pressure stability in pipes;
• ease of operation and ease of management.

Gas heating boilers from a gas cylinder allow not only to heat rooms, but also to heat water for domestic purposes (this requires a heat exchanger).

It is possible to organize gas heating from cylinders not only in a new house, but also in one in which they have been living for a long time - for this you will not have to carry out any work. But in order to connect to the main gas pipeline, it is necessary to lay pipes and carry out repairs in the house.

Disadvantages of gas heating on cylinders

• if the cylinder is outside, in case of severe frost, the system may turn off - the condensate will freeze and prevent the gas from escaping;
• do not place cylinders in unventilated areas;
• since the gas is heavier than air, if it leaks, it can go down (into the basement, underground), and if there is a strong concentration, serious consequences will occur.

Organization of heating from gas cylinders

The gas boiler is connected to the cylinder using a special reducer. The flow rate is approximately 1.8-2 m³ per hour, in the case of a conventional gearbox 0.8 m³/h.

You can also use a burner designed to operate from the main pipeline, but in this case it is necessary to adjust the valve for proportional gas supply, since the pressure in the line is lower. In addition, in such devices, the opening in the valve is larger.

When buying a burner, keep in mind that some stores are trying to sell more expensive devices, arguing that the selected product will not work on liquefied gas. In this case, you need to look at the instructions for the selected device.

Heating from gas cylinders is cheaper if they are refueled. However, it should be borne in mind that at some GZS they seek to save money and fill only half of them. At the same time, station employees say that the gas boils at only 40 degrees, so filling a full cylinder is unreasonable - it can burst. At the same time, purchased products are almost completely filled with gas. Therefore, such proposals should not be accepted.

Regardless of whether there is automation or not, in order to save money, it is advisable to turn off the boiler at night.

Reasons for choosing gas heating from cylinders

If you use first, for example, wood-burning equipment, then you can always buy and install a gas boiler on bottled gas. But in order to connect to the gas main, you will have to do some work, including those related to the house.

An example of heating a house with gas cylinders in the video:

When installing an autonomous gas supply at home, you have to take into account many nuances related to the maintenance and accurate calculation of the power of heating equipment. To ensure maximum heat transfer and efficiency, it is necessary to correctly select and connect a gas-fired bottled gas boiler.

Is it possible to connect a gas boiler to a cylinder

But, basically, the consumer is offered boilers designed to operate exclusively on main gas. In this case, it will be necessary to re-equip the system: replace the nozzles or completely change the burner to make it possible to use liquefied gas.

Cylinders as the main source of propane

A significant disadvantage of using household cylinders is the need for their regular refueling. On average, the capacity is enough for no more than two days, after which it is required to disconnect it and take it to the gas station for refueling. You can reduce the frequency of trips by connecting several cylinders to a single network at once. Modern boilers allow you to connect from two to six tanks at the same time.

Cylinders are not connected directly, but through a special gearbox that allows you to maintain a stable pressure sufficient for the uninterrupted operation of gas heating boilers operating on bottled gas.

The propane cylinder mating ramp allows you to increase the number of connected tanks at the same time up to 10 pcs.

Connecting cylinders to reserve

To prevent this from happening, the boiler is powered from a propane cylinder through a special ramp that allows you to install 1-10 cylinders in reserve. The scheme of the node is as follows:

• The ramp is a two-arm collector dividing the tanks into two groups.
• The initial gas intake comes from the main group.
• After the end of propane, the ramp automatically switches the operation of the boiler to reserve tanks and issues a mechanical signal.
• After filling and connecting the tanks to the manifold, the main working group of cylinders is automatically switched on.

The in-line gas-cylinder installation is quite convenient in operation and allows you to automate the process of the boiler as much as possible, increasing its battery life.

How to connect a gas boiler to a propane tank

Is it possible to install gas cylinders in the boiler room

• Cylinders should be taken to an adjacent room or outside, installed in a special cabinet.
• Store empty gas cylinders outside the building. Ideally, if the containers are immediately refueled.
• If cylinders installed in a cabinet on the street freeze, the storage walls should be insulated with non-combustible thermal insulation. It is strictly forbidden to heat containers or a cabinet with an open flame.
• The gas cylinder can be installed from the heating boiler at a distance of at least 2 m.
• Do not store compressed gas cylinders near the boiler room. It is possible to store containers only in a specially equipped room, located no closer than 10 meters, as well as equipped with ventilation and without pits, and a basement. This requirement is due to the fact that propane is heavier than air and accumulates at floor level when it leaks. In the presence of pits or a basement, the concentration of gas will become critical, which is enough for an explosion.
• Operation of cylinders - full production of LPG from the tank is not allowed. Every 4 years, it is required to certify the tightness of the cylinders and the integrity of their walls.

Do I need to reconfigure the boiler for propane?

Not every boiler is able to work on LPG. You should pay attention to the technical documentation. An essential requirement is the ability of the unit to operate at a reduced gas pressure of 3-4 mbar.

What is required to switch the boiler to gas from a cylinder

• Replacing nozzles or burners. Gas-balloon water-heating equipment designed to operate exclusively on LPG is not produced. Some manufacturers make universal units equipped with an electronic processor.
  To switch from main gas to cylinders, you simply need to change the cartridge. But more often, conversion will require the replacement of nozzles or the entire burner.
• Gearbox installation. Liquefied gas is pumped into cylinders under pressure, which leads to the transformation from a gaseous to a liquid state. To transform it back, you need to lower the pressure. For this purpose, a gearbox is designed.
• Gas valve - in some models, the connection and operation of a domestic gas boiler on bottled gas is possible only when replacing this unit.

A conventional gas reducer is not suitable for conversion. A gas heating boiler can operate from ordinary bottled gas only when installing a unit with a flow rate of 1.8-2 m³ / h.

How to calculate the volume and number of cylinders for the boiler

So, the installation of a gas boiler house in a house on propane cylinders per 100 m² will require the simultaneous connection of at least 4 cylinders (2 working and 2 reserve), per 200 m² 8-10. To ensure maximum ease of use, the connection kit must include a ramp.

You can accurately calculate the need for a bottled gas boiler using the technical documentation provided by the manufacturer. At least, European concerns in the instructions for the equipment indicate the consumption of LPG after the conversion of the unit.

Refueling of gas cylinders with propane must be carried out after emptying the tank by 90%. Full gas production is not allowed.

Which boiler is better to choose when heating with propane cylinders?

• The principle of operation is the most economical and adapted for operation on LPG condensing equipment. The operating time of the boiler from the cylinder increases by an average of 15-20%. Condensing equipment is designed to operate at low gas pressure and often does not require replacement of the burner and nozzle.
• Number of circuits - a single-circuit boiler should be selected exclusively for space heating, a double-circuit boiler for heating water.
• Purpose - the best option is equipment, in the operating instructions of which there is permission to connect the boiler to the cylinder. Refurbishment of conventional hot water units, as a rule, leads to excessive fuel consumption and is not economically viable. Boiler manufacturers offer all the necessary fittings for connecting cylinders, it is included in the kit, or purchased separately.

The conversion of the boiler from natural gas to bottled gas must be carried out exclusively by a specialist. Independent re-equipment leads to a quick failure of equipment and increases the likelihood of fire and explosive situations.

The pros and cons of operating a boiler on propane cylinders

Judging by consumer reviews, liquefied gas heating has its drawbacks:

• The need to control the fullness of the cylinders. For normal operation of a gas boiler, 3-4 gas cylinders are needed. Tracking exactly when the gas runs out without additional equipment is quite problematic. If you plan to constantly operate the system, it is better to spend money and connect the boiler to several cylinders through a ramp and a gearbox.
• The cost of gas - compared to the main connection, the cost of heating LPG is slightly higher, but less than when using an electric boiler.
• Features when connected to a propane tank. According to the PB, it will be necessary to take the containers to another ventilated room or to the street, which is not always convenient. It is necessary to separately purchase a device for connecting at least four gas cylinders to the boiler, as well as control and monitoring fittings.
• Conversion - not all boilers can be converted to LPG with the same efficiency. Replacing the burner will cost approximately 30-40% of the total cost of the boiler.
• The need to attract qualified specialists. Only a licensed specialist can connect several propane cylinders into a single network, change the burner and make the connection correctly.

A propane gas boiler is able to heat a room no worse than a unit tuned to ordinary main gas. When installing the equipment, it is necessary to remember the oxygen regulator, since, according to the norms, it should flow into the unit more than into the usual boiler. In order to guarantee the uninterrupted and safe operation of such a device, the boilers are equipped with special devices that stop the operation of the device in case of an emergency. Another feature that significantly distinguishes a liquefied gas installation from a natural gas boiler is that the burner in it has a much smaller diameter, and, as a result, less pressure of the gas that comes from the cylinders.

Heating a private house with gas cylinders: the consumption of the necessary fuel

As practice shows and consumer reviews testify, for a house of 100 m², gas is needed approximately 3 to 2 cylinders per week, provided that the capacity is 50 liters. From this calculation, you can determine how much fuel you need to heat a country house. For example, for a house of 200 m², the amount of gas will increase to 4 containers per week. If your house has an area of ​​​​about 50 m 2, then 1 cylinder will be enough for you.

The gas-cylinder installation of a gas boiler house for a private house on 100 m² liquefied gas cylinders requires the simultaneous connection of at least 4 cylinders - 2 working ones, plus 2 reserve ones. For an area of ​​200 m², 8-10 containers are usually enough. To ensure absolute ease of use, your set of connection equipment must have a ramp.

Alternative gas heating from cylinders: making the right choice

If you have a boiler that runs on propane for heating your summer cottage, then it is very difficult to accurately determine the flow rate of the gas it needs. Often this indicator depends on the method of warming the room. If the winter is severe, then the figure, of course, will grow. If you have insulated your house well enough and there are no severe frosts outside the window, then you will use gas with great savings.

To calculate the approximate figure for propane consumption for heating a room, use the formula, which shows that you will need about 0.1 kg of propane to obtain energy in the amount of 1 kW.

The fuel consumption of a propane gas boiler will please you much more than you would have to pay for heating the same house with electricity. The most economical is the use of main gas, but it is not always possible to connect to a common centralized gas supply system. In this case, heating the space with a propane boiler would be the smartest idea. When buying a heating unit, be sure to take an interest in user reviews, consult with experts, and ask consultants to give you a complete description of the device and the possibility of converting it to liquefied bottled gas. Before finally making a decision in favor of installing gas equipment, be sure to carefully weigh all the important arguments, calculate the fuel consumption, and only after that proceed with the installation steps.

Gas boiler from a cylinder of 50 liters: how long will it last

Often, the owners of country houses, as well as real estate within the city, refuse centralized heating and the main gas pipeline in favor of alternative options that provide for the possibility of space heating using liquefied gas. It is easy to use and more affordable. The radiator and battery heat up just as well.

Modern gas heating of premises using liquefied gas boilers involves the use of a number of parts, consisting of several types of equipment and a heat supply system. Only the main unit in this design is still the boiler, which is responsible for generating heat.

As in standard heating appliances, a gas boiler that operates on liquefied gas allows private houses to provide heating of rooms, as well as hot water supply, by burning it. Often, this heating equipment is characterized by compact dimensions, high performance and good efficiency rates, which sometimes reach 95%.

In addition, this device has the following advantages:

• Low cost;
• Allows you to significantly reduce the funds spent on heating and hot water;
• Can function at low gas pressure;
• Has low fuel consumption;
• Allows you to turn off the heating when it is not needed.

If you use a propane gas boiler, then the fuel consumption will be approximately the following: 130 sq. m, taking into account well-installed windows and entrance doors, will be in the region of one cylinder, weighing 50 kg for 2 or 3 days. If the air temperature in the room you want is not less than 21-23, and in addition to this you also need hot water, then you will have to fill 3-4 cylinders per week. If your house is smaller, then fuel consumption decreases proportionally.

Features of heating with liquefied gas

The choice of heating units that run on liquefied gas is simply huge today. Here you can find products from both domestic manufacturers and goods from various world brands.

Each model that you will meet is distinguished by unique performance properties and corresponding cost. In order for the process of heating a country cottage with bottled propane gas from a gas tank to become economical and efficient, you need to choose the right type of unit and take into account its main features of operation and technical capabilities.

In order for a propane heater to work properly, it must be properly connected and replaced with nozzles. This equipment has performed quite well. It is willingly installed by the owners of a country cottage, who do not have the opportunity to connect to a common gas main or independent heating. This type of heating is very practical in operation, has a low coefficient of emission of harmful substances, is compact, and the efficiency is quite high. Propane-butane gas is a great alternative to the usual natural gas.

When buying a boiler, consider the following:

• Type of heater. Apparatus for heating on liquefied gas can be single-circuit and double-circuit. The first option is suitable exclusively for heating, while the second type, in addition to heating, also provides hot water supply.
• efficiency. In fact, all units that operate on liquefied gas have high efficiency rates that reach 90-94%.
• Power. This indicator is one of the most important parameters characterizing the type of heating equipment. It is necessary that the unit you have chosen can easily provide hot water and heating to all rooms in the house.

And, of course, an important indicator is the manufacturing company. Practice shows that it is highly desirable to give preference to firms that have been successfully operating in the market for a long time and have positive user reviews.

Heating from a gas cylinder (video)

Owners of private dwellings should be aware that heating boilers running on liquefied gas. It is possible to easily transfer to a different mode of operation, and they will work using a different type of fuel, or rather main gas. To do this, it is only necessary to replace the burner, nozzles, remove the gearbox and replace some other equipment. You can do all this with your own hands, however, in order to properly establish a connection, you must follow the rules for using propane installations.