How long should I expect it to take to install a gasser?

[Wood-row Wilson]

I purchased my 2,200 sq ft home just after Christmas 2012. My most recent propane fill brought me to a cumulative total since my purchase to over $4,000. I always knew that propane was expensive and am not terribly surprised considering, but that doesn't mean I will tolerate it! I'll try to keep this short and let you guys speak from experience.

I know t's a loaded question and the answer varies upon my level of handiness and expertise. Well, I would say I'm handy and willing to learn, but not an expert in anything as it relates to an install.

With what I've read, I would like to install a gasser in my detached insulated pole barn, likely a Garn Jr if the rest is feasible. I have 4 cords of dry wood waiting for my decision (maple/BL). I have a back-hoe at my disposal and seem to think I'm most capable to do the running and insulation of the pex myself. With everything else considered outside of material costs, how long is this going to take me? A line to my furnace, hot water heater, and baseboard heat in the same room (laundry/mudroom) in which the water heater is on the main floor.

For a newby like me, the HVAC stuff is a no brainer to have contracted out. But what about the extra plumbing? It looks complex, but is much of what needs to be done technical or are there good guides to completing the install? I've seen good estimates on the material costs, but what is a ball-park amount of days or hours I should carve out to successfully complete this project? I have a big project at work that I'm worried is going to steal my summer...thanks for the help!

 

[mike van]

Tough question, how long ? As no one really knows how fast you work, how picky you are, or are you a "just get er done" person ? The Garn Jr probably one of the easiest to hook up, as it's self contained. But, some basic plumbing knowledge is needed. The backhoe is the easy part, drilling through the basement wall & shed floor [cement] ? much harder. Is there power to the barn now? If you have 4 cord now, you'll probably want 2 more. Last year I did my own Garn, including the barn - I started Oct 1, had the unit in the building & the doors on Thanksgiving, and it was heating us [quite well I have to say] on Dec. 28th. Not the only thing I worked on during that time, as I had to do all the leaves, deliver 20+ cord of wood, etc, etc. Having a human with knowledge of these boilers stop by and give you a few pointers is priceless.

 

[maple1]

Do you have any plumbing & electrical experience?

These projects take a lot of grunt work, and some know-how. I wouldn't call it rocket science by any means - but if you don't have a handle on things & decent knowledge on how boilers/hydronics work, it would also be pretty easy to screw something up & cause damage.

Starter question - what exactly do you have now for a heating system? I suspect it is pressurized/closed. The Garn is unpressurized. That would be the first thing you would need to sort out.

 

[Coal Reaper]

Doing everything myself except for spraying the foam and a welding helper, I think i was close to two months before i was up and running but a garn would be much simpler. Had a new baby in the house so i was only dedicating one day each weekend and maybe an hour before work each day. Take your time and do it right from te begining.

 

[goosegunner]

Find out if Heaterman is anywhere near you. If so I would pay him to either do the final hook up or pay him as a consultant to draw it up if he was willing.

If you look at pictures of his installs you will see it would be money well spent.

gg

 

[maple1]

My experience: I started working at it about May/June of 2012, was heating with it early October 2012, and still not completely finished. I have a lot of projects around here like that....

 

[waynewagner33]

I didn't have to do any digging but the plumbing insulating precleaning and wiring plus cutting hole for flue and outdoor air I would say I have around 30 hrs into it

 

[flyingcow]

Watched my BIL install my system. Boiler plus tank. I did a few hours of the work myself. Construct the tank and dug the ditch, installed underground(my part). He was 40 to 50 hours after that. And he knew what he was doing, as this is his living. He had all the parts, threading machine, torches, plus the know how. All parts and equipment was in his trailer on site. I did very little parts running for him. when i did, he went on to another part of the project.

 

[Wood-row Wilson]

Thanks so much for the replies, guys...this helps my confidence level.

As no one really knows how fast you work, how picky you are, or are you a "just get er done" person ?

It depends and I know this isn't anything to mess around with, so I'll definitely be wanting to do this right. I will admit that when I don't know what I'm doing...it can be a struggle, so I really like the idea of having a consultant telling me what to do. I'm okay with the grunt work (I'm 24 y/o), so that won't be a problem as long as I have good direction.

The backhoe is the easy part, drilling through the basement wall & shed floor [cement] ? much harder. Is there power to the barn now?

My grandpa is very skilled with a backhoe and dieing to do something like this. He made his money in precast concrete, so still has access to all the tools so I don't anticipate the drilling to be more than an issue than digging. Yes, there is power to the barn now. How much power do these things draw? Do I need to have 210 or what? I have an electrician friend that I could con into helping me with if it's relatively minimal.

Having a human with knowledge of these boilers stop by and give you a few pointers is priceless.

Absolutely, I'll be seeking this out!

Do you have any plumbing & electrical experience?

Very minimal

what exactly do you have now for a heating system? I suspect it is pressurized/closed

I have a standard propane/gas furnace in the basement. Not sure what pressurized/closed means so I'll need your help!

Thanks again for the responses. I have a better idea now and feel more confident that I can get this done around work travel and other home projects.

 

[mike van]

The Garn Jr needs it's own 20 amp breaker. 120 Volt. 24 ? wow, I remember that!