Pole barn heating Q's

CTyler · Oct 20, 2003

Pole barn heating Q\'s

I have a 50x64x12 insulated pole barn. I'm finishing off a 16x50 side of it and have it framed up 75% wired and pumbed.

Within the finished area we will be using a ventless 30k btu blue flame propane heater.
Q1) Do I need to keep the propane line x amount of feet from electrical? My electician I contracted to wire my house wasn't sure. Haven't asked my plumbing/HVAC contractor.

The rest of the shop will be heated with wood via a double barrel wood stove kit. The flu will be 6".

Q2) What is the best way to cut a hole in the steel roof?

When I installed my vent pipe for plumbing I had a hard time with the sawzall. The metal wanted to flap all over making it real hard to get a nice cut.

Q3)Would a jigsaw do the same thing as the sawzall? I.E. flap flap flap. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I need to check local codes in wether we need double or triple wall through the roof.

Q4) Regarding the damper in the flu. What is the proper setting? Do you try to match the intake?

I've never used a damper in a wood stove. We always adjusted the air intake for desired heat. Then at night turn it most of the way down so you still had embers in the morning.

Q5)I have read that the ventless heaters are picky about fumes from WD-40 paint etc.. Am I going to get funny smells or anything running the heater and the wood stove? We were thinking about adding one to the shop side as well.

I know this is a bunch of questions....Thanks!!

Junkman · Oct 20, 2003

Re: Pole barn heating Q\'s

My propane company says 6 feet from any electrical device for the tank. Had to move it after the A/C people put the condenser next to the tank...... guess that they didn't know the rules either....

CTyler · Oct 20, 2003

Re: Pole barn heating Q\'s

Thanks.

I should clarify my post. The propane tank(1000 gal?) will be outside. I need to run the line inside through the framed wall about 20 feet or so.

My romex runs through the wall about 3 1/2' high(waist high).
I was planning on running the propane line above that at 4' or so. Or higher if it need be all the way to 8' though the joists.

CTyler · Oct 20, 2003

Re: Pole barn heating Q\'s

Update.....

This is almost laughable but now I'm really confused. The code states it must be 5' from a source of combustion.

So what is considered a source of combustion? The laughable part is the heater IS the source of combustion...LOL!! The heater can have a blower with a switch as well. I didn't get it though. Maybe the switch and fan motor is sealed?? Dunno.

So seriously would an electrical outlet or light switch, since they are no sealed, be considered a source of combustion?

beenthere · Oct 20, 2003

Re: Pole barn heating Q\'s

"".....ventless 30k btu blue flame propane heater""

You didn't ask for this information, so I gently suggest you reconsider your ventless heater decision, and make it a vented heater. I made that mistake once, and the heat they provide will make your space "dripping wet" with condensation. Amazing just how much moisture comes from combustion of LP gas.

If you already know that there will be a lot of moisture from the use of the ventless, then you are making an informed decision. I have no problem with that. Just want to be sure you know what you are getting into. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

CTyler · Oct 21, 2003

Re: Pole barn heating Q\'s

Hi and thanks.

Yes I am aware that the heater will create some moisture and plan to watch it. I would like to keep it around a 40% humidity level.

I've done a lot of reading about this and don't think it will be a problem since we will heat with wood as well. The problem seems to be when the building is very tight. The finished area will be fairly tight but the rest of the shop is not. Also past experiance has shown its hard to keep a reasonable amount of humidity around here in the winter time anyway.

Some people love them others do not. I'm not sure if its' the location, moisture in the propane, building tolerances or all of the above that contribute to this. Now I'm not sure if there is moisture in the propane itself or if its the humidity level in the air to begin with that makes the moisture subject more/less of an issue. For example: Some peeps have talked about how much more moisture there is in N.Y.'s propane than were they moved from. Is it the propane or the air?

We'll see how it goes. If it doesn't work out the heater was only a couple hundred bucks. I can always install a vented furnace later and run duct etc.. The finished area is 8' and the shop is 12' to the bottom of the truss. So all that area above the finished area will be open to run duct work along the wall if need be. The rest of the space will be for storage someday when I throw some OSB up there.

PaulT · Oct 21, 2003

Re: Pole barn heating Q\'s

I don't know anything about water in the propane (shouldn't be ANY), but the humidity coming from the ventless heater is a byproduct of combustion. In any hydrocarbon-based combustion, you combine the hydrogen in the hydrocarbon with the oxygen in the air, and you get H20 (di-hydrogen (mon) oxide?). And gobs of it, too! If its not vented to the outside, even with a "loose" building and a wood stove, you will probably be closer to 70% humidity than 40%. I suggest the vented route, as well. All of that condensation is really hard on metal tools, wooden window panes and frames, etc. Just my opinion.

slowzuki · Oct 21, 2003

Re: Pole barn heating Q\'s

Depending on local conditions, it is really dry in our area during the winter, we are always boiling water on the stove to combat this.

The spring is one exception, it gets really damp.

Ditto for the water, it comes from combustion.

CTyler · Oct 22, 2003

Re: Pole barn heating Q\'s

( Ditto for the water, it comes from combustion. )

Thanks, I knew moisture was generated from the combustion. Didn't really think LPG had any water in it either but was't 100% sure.

( Depending on local conditions, it is really dry in our area during the winter, we are always boiling water on the stove to combat this. )

When I lived in Montana we did that all the time as well. Put a tea pot or pan of water on the stove, otherwise you'd dry up and blow away /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

FYI...For the roof I bought a air nibler at Harbor Freight to cut my next hole.

Hoeman00 · Oct 24, 2003

Re: Pole barn heating Q\'s

Did u try 24 or 32 tpi blades in sawz-all or jig saw.
U need atleast 2 teeth on the material when cutting.
This is for any saw.
BTW a set of tin snips w/ left,right and straight work good too.