Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Heating: "Forced Air, Gas" vs. Electric
From: Murray Peterson 
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2006 01:54:37 GMT

"WDS"  wrote in
news:1155791869.806876.74800@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com: 

> 
> Murray Peterson wrote:
>> "WDS"  wrote in news:1155788233.107611.104230
>> @b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:
>>
>> > How does propane "not work very well" in cold climates?
>>
>> Propane's boiling point is -43 degrees F.  If it gets that cold
>> outside, then your propane will just sit there in the tank and never
>> feed any vapour to your furnace.  Butane is even worse, since its
>> boiling point is at a balmy +31 degrees.
> 
> Well, my propane furnace works just fine at -43 and even colder.  I
> sent an email off to the guys who deliver my propane so maybe they can
> answer.
> 

If it works fine, then you either have some form of waste heat keeping the 
tank warmed, or you need a new thermometer.  There were several winters in 
my childhood where my father had to put insulation around the propane tank 
and an electric heater underneath to keep our furnaces running.