September 16th, 2009 | 
Author:
I now have an electric heating system however just bought one of those 15K / 30K BTU Comfort Glow blue flame propane wall mount heaters for emergency purposes just in case the electric was to go out. I would like to know if I can safely use a 20 lb propane cylinder tank (like a grill tank) outside for supplying the propane to this heater? Additionally, if I were to use this sized tank, how long would a full tank supply propane to the heater?
The bigger the tank the better, more surface for evaporation at lower temps. A 20# tank is about 4 gals at approx. 91,000 Btu per gal is about 12 hrs. use @ 30K assuming no vent and no pressure drop. The tank must be properly regulated and outside of the structure.
Posted in Portable Electric Grill
I only know that the law does require the tank to be located outside.
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Yes you can use a small tank outside. As to how long it would last there are many variables. I would suggest that you try it on a cold day and find out before the power goes out. Then you would have a much more accurate gauge than any you would get here.
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Yes you can use this type of tank in fact you can use any size tank you want as long as you run the piping from the tank to the heater per code. Soft copper is not allowed inside the house anymore only black pipe.
You will also need the proper regulator so you don’t destroy the heater.
You might buy a 100 gallon tank from your local propane supplier and let them run the piping. Once they fill it you will probably never use all that propane but it is cheap insurance.
Here is a nice little diagram on tank placement.
http://www.excelpropane.com/tank_placement.html
References :
The bigger the tank the better, more surface for evaporation at lower temps. A 20# tank is about 4 gals at approx. 91,000 Btu per gal is about 12 hrs. use @ 30K assuming no vent and no pressure drop. The tank must be properly regulated and outside of the structure.
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dead on java dawg
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hvac contractor