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DonNOhio 10-25-2009 04:01:28 216.255.47.17 250588 Report to Moderator	I have a new propane water heater I was going to use to replace our old one in the house. Elected to go electric instead. Now I am playing with the idea of using it to heat my shop, which already has hot water heat. The old boiler is 40+ years old and I am sure not very efficient. [Reply]   [Send Email]
DonNOhio 10-26-2009 05:43:04 52.129.8.48 250687 Report to Moderator	Re: Anybody done this?? in reply to DonNOhio, 10-25-2009 04:01:28   I have $175.00 invested in this gas heater and have tried to sell it, to no avail ( wonder why??). Rather than just leave it set I would like to do something with it. Wood in not a good option in my case. My shop is not that large and just use it on the weekends occasionaly. Thanks for all the input.   [Reply]   [Send Email]
Russ from MN 10-25-2009 18:38:52 209.191.218.13 250645 Report to Moderator	Re: Anybody done this?? in reply to DonNOhio, 10-25-2009 04:01:28   A standard atmospheric gas water is not very efficient, maybe 70%?   [Reply]   [No Email]
john hoffman 10-25-2009 17:59:22 67.236.89.71 250636 Report to Moderator	Re: Anybody done this?? in reply to DonNOhio, 10-25-2009 04:01:28   Your right about the old boiler being inefficient. I replaced a really old one with a new high efficiency model and saved plenty on gas. Also have a friend who heats apartments with hot weater heaters like you are thinking. Great way to upgrade your old boiler. You can allways use the big boiler as a back up for cold days.   [Reply]   [No Email]
VaTom 10-25-2009 06:18:34 216.12.124.38 250594 Report to Moderator	Re: Anybody done this?? in reply to DonNOhio, 10-25-2009 04:01:28   Unless your electic company has very low off-peak rates you may find electricity pretty expensive fuel. There's a greenhouse here with a water heater as backup to a wood-fired boiler. He learned never to run out of wood. A lot depends on how much heat you need. Small amount means fuel cost isn't so important. If you need a lot of heat, much more important. A buddy in northern Ohio converted his large commercial shop to wood heat, but it's mostly waste from his business. Lots of places have inexpensive wood fuel available, considerably cheaper than electricity. I'd be thinking about a wood-fired boiler in your situation, if you can find an inexpensive one. I've got a big one here surplus, but it's a long haul to N. Ohio and this isn't anything you'd want in a pickup bed. Good luck.   [Reply]   [No Email]