EcoRenovator - View Single Post - Propane (R-290) for heat pumps?

Xringer · 04-15-11, 10:19 AM

I would be a bit worried if I was using split HP unit (with propane) in my basement.
Min-splits use compression flare fittings. Which might not be the greatest thing for safeness.

A few pounds of R290 leaking out of the indoor side overnight, with the timer turning
on the oil burner at 6AM, could be very bad..

The burner sucks air out of the basement at a good rate.
The air input is about 12" off the floor, So, there is a good chance it will start
off sounding like a rocket launch. Once the tin smoke pipes are blown off the back
of the boiler, and flames start shooting out.. All bets are off..

The Fuel-Air mix is very likely to hit critical mass..

I often wonder what would happen if that big (275 gallon) oil tank lost
about 100 gallons during the night.. Would the fume-air mix detonate at 6AM?
Maybe the sump pump would wake me up, as it started removing the oil..

Anyways, my small Propane tanks are all out in the garage.
Where a leak will have no repercussions.
(Unless someone ignores the stinky smell and starts their car)!!

04-15-11, 10:19 AM	#29
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I would be a bit worried if I was using split HP unit (with propane) in my basement. Min-splits use compression flare fittings. Which might not be the greatest thing for safeness. A few pounds of R290 leaking out of the indoor side overnight, with the timer turning on the oil burner at 6AM, could be very bad.. The burner sucks air out of the basement at a good rate. The air input is about 12" off the floor, So, there is a good chance it will start off sounding like a rocket launch. Once the tin smoke pipes are blown off the back of the boiler, and flames start shooting out.. All bets are off.. The Fuel-Air mix is very likely to hit critical mass.. I often wonder what would happen if that big (275 gallon) oil tank lost about 100 gallons during the night.. Would the fume-air mix detonate at 6AM? Maybe the sump pump would wake me up, as it started removing the oil.. Anyways, my small Propane tanks are all out in the garage. Where a leak will have no repercussions. (Unless someone ignores the stinky smell and starts their car)!!