[roundel]

I have an in ground oil tank for our furnace. The furnace is at least 20 years old. Our house is heated with radiant water pipes in the walls and slab on grade floor. My wife wants to convert to propane and obviously switch to an above ground tank.

Any advice concerning installers in the Baltimore area or other advice would be appreciated. I'd like to attack this now when furnace usage is minimal.

[Trak Ratt]

Not in BTown area but Kraftt has been very good on all out needs. Why not look into a dual system? Always nice to have a back-up.

[roundel]

Originally Posted by Trak Ratt

Not in BTown area but Kraftt has been very good on all out needs. Why not look into a dual system? Always nice to have a back-up.

I do have a fireplace, pellet stove, and electric baseboards. So there are backups. Optimally, Mrs Hopkins would like to have the propane power the stove too so we could cook during snowpocalypse. We had some issues with the nozzle being clogged last year on the furnace and had to resort to the back-ups. Sleeping by the pellet stove in a sleeping bag was kinda romantic.

[Vicegrip]

don't forget the hot water and the kitchen.

[Dr K]

Having lived in a radiant heat house when first married (and just before), it is extremely comfortable - much better than forced air. Our house had >1/2 mile of copper pipe in the floor and ceiling ("concrete plaster" ceiling).

[cmartin]

Please keep us updated with this, I"m looking to install a propane line to the kitchen too.

Propane prices are nuts, have you considered a heat pump?

[roundel]

Originally Posted by cmartin

have you considered a heat pump?

Nope.

I have radiant heat (hot water pumped through pipes in walls and floors) and the house was built around that fact in the early 60's. I have been told that per BTU I will still save over oil with natural gas. Of course natural gas would be great, but I live in the stix so there is no chance of it being plumbed to me and because of its chemistry (it does not compress to a liquid easily), I have read getting it delivered is not an option.

[Vicegrip]

Can do heat pump / water. can do geothermal/heatpump/water too. Forced air better reaction time and less BTUs used per SF of house overall.

[cmartin]

can do geothermal/heatpump/water too

That's what I was thinking. Not cheap but at least there are some fed and state credits/rebates available.

Propane prices...

I own the tank at my place, make sure you look at that vs renting.

[roundel]

I equated heat pump with forced air incorrectly. This is why I ask questions of you masters of smart. Now that you mention geo, BMAN was telling me about his setup. I kinda assumed it was out of my range for my cute little house, but I should at least get a HVAC dude out to explain my options.

As for renting the propane tank vs owning there are issues related to being tied to one supplier with renting vs initial purchase price, right?