Drolet Heatpro any reviews?

[Siefert]

I'm almost 30. I've finally found the most amazing house on almost 6 acres(in Missouri)
My house is a story 1 1/2 with high ceilings and propane is absolutely KILLING ME!

I filled my tank(80% 770$) dec 31 as of today I'm at 40%. My house is freezing with the thermostat set around 68.

This house seems to be very well built with good insulation but I think the ceiling heights are killing me.

My furnace is a beast- York 160kbtu with 6" flue pipe that works but must be 60%-70%efficient

I am replacing the furnace with a 96% Daikin 90k btu.

I bought a Drolet Heatpro to be the answer to my prayers. I plan on running it everyday and all day long. Anyone own one? What should I be aware of? Should be pickkng up this week and installing in the next couple.

 

[laynes69]

If you're using that much LP, I would strongly advise a home energy audit. What's your square footage? Either that, or your furnace is grossly oversized and inefficient. That's alot of propane, I couldn't imagine. So far those who have the heatpro's have good things to say on both heat output and burn times. What size is your chimney, and the furnace will require well seasoned wood.

 

[Siefert]

House is approximately 2500sq ft. The roof is like Catholic Church steep and the entry way and living room are 2 story's.

The only way I can afford the stove is by installing the flue pipe myself. It will be supervent 6" from menards, externally mounted. I would say it will be 35-40ft of pipe. I'm cashing in 1400$ of credit card points.

I filled the tank in September so it lasted awhile untill it's cold now and seriously bleeding me dry.


I am having a pro install my furnace and the heatpro at the same time.

 

[STIHLY DAN]

That's alot of propane

How do you know this? We don't know the size of the tank, or the price per gallon. (sorry, little bit of a smart A$$ there)
Siefert, you have a diakin 90K furnace. I didn't know they made them. Never seen one, I thought they were all ductless splits.

 

[brenndatomu]

This house seems to be very well built with good insulation but I think the ceiling heights are killing me.

Ceiling fans my friend, ceiling fans.

I would say it will be 35-40ft of pipe

You WILL need a barometric damper, or a key damper, maybe both!

 

[Siefert]

Sorry 500 gallons I think 1.80$something? The tank was emptied to replace leaking valves(tank and furnace from the late 80's)

I wasn't sure about the Daikin unit since I haven't heard of them. My brief research turned up no real issues. The installer is a good man/amana guy.

Propane sucks but I do t mind it for my cooktop/water heater. This furnace is just to damn big. The a/c system and blower is a 5ton

 

[laynes69]

With the price of propane, I was assuming a 500 gallon tank. In 2 weeks @ 200 gallons, that's alot. I paid $.99 a gallon. Even then at that rate, that's 400 a month.

There's not much you can do for the cathedral ceilings, but for sure airsealing will be your friend. The large inefficient furnace isn't helping things. Your making the right choice going with the larger woodfurnace.

 

[Siefert]

I've been reading about th dampeners. Drolet says don't use it but then sure seems like everyone does.

Looking up key dampener

 

[laynes69]

I've been reading about th dampeners. Drolet says don't use it but then sure seems like everyone does.

Looking up key dampener

You'll need one for sure! I can't stress enough the importance of truely seasoned wood. Life will be much easier with it!

 

[Siefert]

I got a late start with the firewood. I bought the house in April and have done a ton of work to it.

I've went through a ton of firewood also......not proud of it but to offset my propane usage and to run my propane tank to empty to replace the valves. I have been burning firewood like crazy in my prefab fireplace and puts off very very little heat.

No joke I probably use 4-5completely full loads of firewood in my copper boiler to help heat the house when I'm off work. I would estimate 250lbs of firewood a day I run it.

A friend selling his house has a large stack of super seasoned wood that I will be solely using for the new furnace.

 

[brenndatomu]

copper boiler

?

I would estimate 250lbs of firewood a day I run it.

 

[Siefert]

Yes sorry here is a picture

 

[brenndatomu]

Looking up key dampener

Manual damper.
As far as using a baro, Drolet says to use one if you have to...and with 35-40' of chimney...you will

 

[Siefert]

So I will 100% buy one of these. What is the meter you guys use to calibrate them? Set it and it's good?

 

[brenndatomu]

I have been burning firewood like crazy in my prefab fireplace and puts off very very little heat.

Yeah, those can be very low efficiency...single digits...heck, even negative #s.
I bet you gonna love your new setup. especially with that super seasoned wood

 

[brenndatomu]

So I will 100% buy one of these. What is the meter you guys use to calibrate them? Set it and it's good?

Dwyer Mark II manometer...want one?

 

[Siefert]

I've defiantly got some good practice with my saw (028av wood boss)for those who care

And my splitter had made quick work of my wood pile. I'm running the dr rapid fire (the big one) I'm very happy with it

 

[Siefert]

This one? Do I need anything else?

 

[brenndatomu]

This one? Do I need anything else?

Yeah, sumbeach that's a good price! (if you get the free shipping) FYI, I have some NOS ones that I have been selling for $35 shipped (complete with after sale user support)
Here is a good baro, not the VZ one stocked at Menerds...
http://www.supplyhouse.com/Field-Controls-6-RC-6-Draft-Regulator-for-Wood-Oil-or-Coal

 

[Siefert]

So where the the stove pipe meets the wall I need a t and that goes in the t?

 

[brenndatomu]

So where the the stove pipe meets the wall I need a t and that goes in the t?

Can be almost anywhere between the stove and the chimney.

https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/baro-png.155295/

It can be in a tee, or with a clamp on adapter to the pipe.

 

[DoubleB]

I am replacing the furnace with a 96% Daikin 90k btu.

I bought a Drolet Heatpro to be the answer to my prayers. I plan on running it everyday and all day long.

Glad you're able to save money and be self-sufficient! You'll enjoy it.

Just a thought: Since you're planning to get most of your heat from wood, you might consider whether it's really worth replacing your existing LP furnace. I go through $50-$100 of LP per year (in shoulder season). If my furnace was inefficient and instead I went through $100-$150 of LP, I couldn't care less. The $50 savings per year wouldn't justify a $2000-$3000 new LP furnace install.

Completely your decision, I just remember when I first bought my house, I had more projects than money.

 

[maple1]

Better make sure your ductwork is OK for the new wood furnace. Wood typically requires something a bit more robust.

 

[Siefert]

I want the lp furnace since both my wife and I work pretty long hours so it will probably still get used. Hopefully not

I'll take a picture of my duct work. The hvac guy said they did the ducts right and skimped on the biggest p.o.s furnace they could get.

The furnace is rusty and chitty and the thought of knowing it is alive on my basement makes me sick.

 

[trx250r87]

Yeah, sumbeach that's a good price! (if you get the free shipping) FYI, I have some NOS ones that I have been selling for $35 shipped (complete with after sale user support)
Here is a good baro, not the VZ one stocked at Menerds...
http://www.supplyhouse.com/Field-Controls-6-RC-6-Draft-Regulator-for-Wood-Oil-or-Coal

You can also special order from Menards. I contacted Selkirk about a Supervent double wall key damper and was able to order it through Menards and have is shipped to my house.

Eric