Can You Convert A Natural Gas Water Heater To Propane?

Are you building your new home from the ground up, or considering installing a new water heater? The variety of options and safety protocols can be overwhelming. You should consider the current pipelines and tanks on your property before making changes.

Do you already have a natural gas line to your home? In this case, maybe you’re wondering if you can convert your current natural gas heater to a propane heater. We’re going to discuss whether this is possible to do.

Unfortunately, you CANNOT convert a natural gas water heater to propane. A natural gas water heater can only use natural gas for its energy source. Propane water heaters require different pipe sizes and orifices, and a propane storage tank. If you’d prefer a propane heating system over natural gas, you will need to get the correct water heater and gas lines installed.

Propane is a gas condensed as a liquid. It is often referred to as liquid propane (LP). This gas is nontoxic, colorless, and naturally odorless. Natural gas processing creates propane as a byproduct, but it can also be produced from crude oil refinement. Propane is primarily used for water and home heating, as well as fuel for appliances.

A propane water heater comes as either a tank or tankless fixture. Technicians typically install the tanks in a laundry room or basement. These tanks store and heat the water. Propane storage tanks are separate tanks that store the propane itself. Homeowners must have these installed either outside or buried underground. Tankless water heaters require electricity, but they don’t require a massive tank and only warm the water as needed.

If you switch your system from natural gas to propane, there are a few things you will need. First, you will need the proper sized gas lines. The underground piping installed for natural gas is generally bigger in size than what’s needed for propane. You will also need a propane tank on your property to store the gas. This will involve regular fueling visits from the local propane company.

A natural gas water heater is very similar to a propane water heater, only it uses natural gas for its fuel. Natural gas is a fossil energy source, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture primarily consisting of methane.

A natural gas water heater is more cost-effective than electrical options. Natural gas is very affordable (even cheaper than propane), and doesn’t require regular fuel-ups from propane companies. They are also more environmentally friendly than burning oils to heat your home. But keep in mind, the process of natural gas extraction still has a negative impact on the environment.

In addition, natural gas is not always available, depending on where you live. If it is available in your area, it may be wise to opt for this option over propane, as it tends to be cheaper than propane.

Related Questions

Why are natural gas prices rising?

Natural gas prices have nearly doubled in the year 2021. Many factors are influencing this skyrocketing cost, including economic demand bouncing back as the pandemic slows its pace. Also, serious environmental initiatives have encouraged corporations to move away from coal-powered fueling toward natural gas energy.

What is a tankless water heater?

The primary difference between a tank and tankless water heater is that the tankless heater only warms the water on demand. They do not require a storage tank, thus avoiding the unnecessary heat loss tanks can contribute to. A tankless water heater is more expensive than a traditional tank, but it lasts years longer. 

It’s important to be realistic about your expectations and financial flexibility when considering fuel changes. Ask yourself these questions: is your home currently outfitted for natural gas? Are there natural gas lines already installed beneath the ground? Do you already have a working natural gas water heater? It will make the most sense to keep your system as is.

Switching over to propane heating will require some serious costs. You will need a propane tank, a new water heater manufactured for propane, possibly new gas lines, and regular propane company fueling services to your home. In addition, natural gas is generally much more cost-efficient. If you stick with natural gas, you might save hundreds each year when compared to propane.