Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help!
  Advanced
Register  |  Log in  
   Ask    
 Answer  
  Help  

Ask QuestionsprogressAnswer QuestionsprogressBuild ReputationprogressBecome an Expert
 
Free Answers in 3 Easy Steps

Register Now
3 Steps

At Ask Me Help Desk you can ask questions in any topic and have them answered for free by our experts. To ask questions or participate in answering them you must register for a free account. By registering you will be able to:
  • Get free answers from experts in any of our 300+ topics.
  • Accept money for answers that you provide.
  • Communicate privately with other members (PM).
  • See fewer ads.

Home > Home & Garden > Appliances   »   How convert Propane water heater into Natural Gas unit

 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Question
 
 
#1  
Old Jul 4, 2008, 11:01 AM
wiz4oz
New Member
wiz4oz is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2
wiz4oz See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
How convert Propane water heater into Natural Gas unit

How to convert an Propane water heater into Natural Gas? I have Whirlpool unit for LP. It has a regular valve with an adapter for LP. If I remove this adapter, will it then work? Is burner the same or needed to be replace? Is valve had to be replaced and will the thread be the same if IO reinstall the valve from my old Natural Gas heater that leaked?

Reply With Quote
 
     

Answers
 
 
Old Jul 5, 2008, 06:33 AM   #2  
Ultra Member
Credendovidis is offline
 
Credendovidis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: EU
Posts: 1,464
Credendovidis See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
Actually that is not too difficult to do, but you require the advice of a specialist.
You have to replace the inserts in each burner that controls the air and gas content mixture.
Take the inserts out, and ask a specialist for the correct inserts.

Success !

  Reply With Quote
 
     
 
 
Old Jul 6, 2008, 10:24 AM   #3  
New Member
NaturalGasMan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 14
NaturalGasMan See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
Well that is close to the correct answer, there is a step or two that you will need to do besides that. LP runs at a much higher pressure than NG. There for you will have to regulate the pressure differently. Depending on the regulator that is on the appliance if there is one or if there is one in line, it may have to be replaced, some have a spring in them and all you have to do is replace the spring. Some are even easier. On some models the cap just needs to be turned over. There is a different size plug that pushes further into the opening and thus creating more pressure on the spring. Natural gas into a hot water heater should be delivered at 6" wc to 7" wc (water column) 6.5" wc is appox. 1/4 lb psi. The pressure after the gas valve to the burner should be around 3 to 3.5" wc. LP runs in the 10 to 14 range. Make sure your pressures are correct.
The previous answer is correct as well. The Orifices will need to be replaced on the burner, on a water heater there should only be one. It will most likely be brass. If you can get the specs for that model you can drill out the orifice to work on Natural gas. Best bet is to buy one for that model. Very important to get it the proper size. IF your going to buy the orifice you might as well pick up a conversion kit if one is made for that model. (best practice) The burner will work for either fuels.
  Reply With Quote
 
     


Thread Tools
Display Modes

 
Similar Sponsors

Similar Threads
Question Asker Forum Answers Last Post
convert propane hot water heater to natural gas joeyspfx Appliances 2 Jul 4, 2008 11:03 AM
converting from propane to natural gas hot water annelee Heating & Air Conditioning 1 May 7, 2008 02:38 PM
Inside only propane water heater, installed outside, OK? chefreuse Plumbing 1 Jun 29, 2007 05:23 AM
convert propane gas to the natural gas dryer Dominickim Appliances 1 Feb 21, 2007 03:17 PM
convert propane gas dryer back to natural gas HE3 beaconhill Appliances 0 Feb 19, 2007 08:25 AM




Copyright ©2003 - 2007, Ask Me Help Desk.
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:54 PM.