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I would be verycareful playing about with gas heaters without the appropriate knowledge. different types of gas heaters have different hardware associated with them. You run a definite risk of blowing your self or worse your family to kingdom come.

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14y ago
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3mo ago

Running propane through a natural gas furnace can be dangerous as they burn at different temperatures and pressures. This could potentially damage the furnace and pose a fire hazard. It is important to use the correct fuel type designated for your furnace to ensure safe and efficient operation.

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12y ago

Catastrophic failure is the most likely result !! DO NOT TRY IT!!

The basic design of furnaces are pretty much all the same...whether it is natural gas or propane. The MAJOR difference is in the size of the gas orifices used....to produce the desired burn rate.

Propane gas has a higher btu rating....due to the fact that it is highly compressed and condensed. Because of this....the burner orifice....which helps to regulate the amount of gas that is released for combustion....is very small....only allowing a very small amount of gas through...to be releases into the burners.

Natural gas....has a much lower btu rating....and so it requires a higher volume of gas....to produce the same amount of heat. Therefore...the burner orifices are much larger...allowing a larger amount of gas to be released for combustion.

So.....Trying to operate an LP or Propane gas furnace with a natural gas orifice in place...will result in a small weak sooty flame....producing very little heat....and will eventually clog the burn chamber with soot! Which could eventually lead to release of carbon monoxide into the living space...which could result in the death of all occupants!

Trying to operate a Natural gas furnace....with propane....will result in a very LARGE amount of gas being released into the burn chamber!! When the furnace "lights'...the result will be very similar to a "home made bomb"!

Depending upon the amount of gas that was released into the burn chamber prior to ignition.....this could mean a small explosion....blowing the covers off of the furnace...knocking pictures off the walls....possibly breaking a window or two...etc.

If the furnace happens to be old enough that it does not have "smart board" technology....the amount of gas released could be sufficient enough to entirely destroy the house...most likely killing any and all occupants that may be inside at the time!

My suggestion.....have a LICENSED gas furnace repairman.....inspect the furnace....and MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE....that it has the correct orifices needed....and that the furnace has been calibrated to burn SAFELY and EFFICIENTLY! This may cost you a bit of cash.....but can assure you that it will be MUCH MUCH cheaper....than paying for funerals and/or replacing the entire house ( assuming there are any survivors left to do so!! )

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Q: What happens if you run propane through a natural gas furnace?
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Which orifice opening is larger natural gas or propane?

Propane orifice openings are generally larger than natural gas orifices. This is because natural gas has a lower pressure than propane, so larger orifices are needed to allow more gas to flow through to achieve the same heat output.


Propane vs natural gas?

Propane is a liquefied petroleum gas that is typically stored in tanks, while natural gas is a clean-burning fossil fuel that is delivered through pipelines. Propane is more energy-dense and portable, making it suitable for areas without access to natural gas pipelines. Natural gas is more convenient for areas with pipelines but may be less energy-dense compared to propane.


Is propane or natural gas more cost effective?

The cost effectiveness of propane versus natural gas can vary depending on factors like location, usage, and current market prices. In general, natural gas tends to be cheaper than propane because it is a more abundant resource. However, if you are in an area without access to natural gas pipelines, propane may be a more cost-effective option due to the higher cost of transporting natural gas in other forms like compressed natural gas.


Can you use propane gas with natural gas logs why not?

No, it is not recommended to use propane gas with natural gas logs because they are designed for different types of gas. Propane and natural gas burn at different rates and temperatures, so using the wrong type of gas can be dangerous and can result in incomplete combustion. It is important to always use the type of gas that the appliance is designed for.


What is hydrocarbon gas used for heating?

Hydrocarbon gases such as natural gas and propane are commonly used for heating purposes in homes, businesses, and industries. They are clean-burning fuels that produce heat efficiently and are often used in furnaces, boilers, and water heaters.

Related questions

Is propane moved through pipelines?

Propane is typically stored and transported as a liquid under pressure in specialized tanks or cylinders, rather than being moved through pipelines like natural gas. This is because propane has a lower boiling point and is therefore more easily liquefied than natural gas.


Which orifice opening is larger natural gas or propane?

Propane orifice openings are generally larger than natural gas orifices. This is because natural gas has a lower pressure than propane, so larger orifices are needed to allow more gas to flow through to achieve the same heat output.


Propane vs natural gas?

Propane is a liquefied petroleum gas that is typically stored in tanks, while natural gas is a clean-burning fossil fuel that is delivered through pipelines. Propane is more energy-dense and portable, making it suitable for areas without access to natural gas pipelines. Natural gas is more convenient for areas with pipelines but may be less energy-dense compared to propane.


Why does natural gas furnace have water waste?

It is not waste. The furnace has extracted the majority of the heat through the combustion process to the point of "condensation". Condensation= H2O. lc


What are the benefits of using a home furnace?

There are a number of potential benefits in using a home furnace. A natural gas burning furnace produces lower emissions than other forms of heating. It is said that homes heated through a furnace feel warmer than other methods.


Is propane man made?

Propane is a naturally occurring gas found in natural gas and crude oil deposits. While it occurs naturally, it can also be produced through refining processes and is typically separated during the refining of petroleum products.


Why does your gas range blacken your pots?

It may be setup for propane or natural gas and you are supplying the wrong gas through the Oriphis.


How do people recover Propane?

Propane is typically recovered through a process called fractionation, which involves separating the propane from other hydrocarbons in natural gas or refining processes. It can also be recovered from industrial processes and by-products. Once recovered, propane can be stored in pressurized tanks or transported for use in various applications.


Is propane or natural gas more cost effective?

The cost effectiveness of propane versus natural gas can vary depending on factors like location, usage, and current market prices. In general, natural gas tends to be cheaper than propane because it is a more abundant resource. However, if you are in an area without access to natural gas pipelines, propane may be a more cost-effective option due to the higher cost of transporting natural gas in other forms like compressed natural gas.


What is the name of the gas that you use in your oven?

It is either Natural Gas that comes into the house through pipes. Propane and Butane comes in tanks. Gas ovens burn what is usually called natural gas; chemists know this as methane, or CH4. In areas where natural gas pipeline service is not available (or in RV's), then propane or butane is used.


What does LP unit mean with regards to a water heater?

Liquid Propane instead of Natural Gas. The orifice in the burner and pilot light are different sizes. The propane ones are bigger and let too much gas through and the flame will be too big.


What object is chemical to thermal?

A Bunsen burner is an object that converts chemical energy into thermal energy through combustion of a fuel gas, such as natural gas or propane.