Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
GUIDE
sPACE HEATING p6
FIREPLACES p7
WATER HEATING p8
COOKING p11
I N STA LLATI O N TI p S
App L I A N c ES
N Ew TEc H NOLOGY
My father spent part of his career as a labor manager at an engineering rm that specialized in construction support for oil and natural gas development expanding at that time all along the Gulf Coast. On my 16th birthday, Dad gave me a hard hat, work gloves, and a pair of steel-toed boots. The following weekend, he put me to work on a labor crew building a gathering line from a recently completed well to a natural gas processing plant. That was my rst experience working in the energy sector. Ive been thinking about energy ever since thats 45 years now, and counting. Today, as CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), Ive been proud to oversee propanes growing footprint as a safe, clean, and domestically produced energy source. While PERC is an umbrella organization that funds research on propane applications in agriculture, industry, and transportation, were also fully invested in driving innovative propane applications for new home construction, remodeling, and green building projects. The Propane Energy Pod, an integrated and energy-efcient approach to new home construction, is one of PERCs latest innovations, and you can read more about it on pages 4-5 of this guide. Over the last several years, PERC has invested millions of dollars in research, videos, training courses, and guides such as this that focus on propane applications, including new technologies, installation, maintenance, servicing, and safety. Our goal is to provide the most current propane information to construction professionals like you. We hope this investment will go a long way toward helping you continue to break new ground and incorporate clean, efcient propane into your projects.
TABLE OF CONtENtS
Overview 2 Propane Energy Pod Home and Space Heating Water Heating Cooking and Clothing Care Outdoor Living 4 6 8 11 12
Generators 14 Innovations 16 Installation 18 Green Points Incentives and Resources Training and Safety 22 23 24
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OVERVIEW
Its clean energy. Propane gives off less than half of the greenhouse gas
emissions that electricity does, considering that most of the nations electric power is fueled by coal-red power plants. In fact, by using propane, you can earn points under green building programs, such as the National Green Building Standard and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes.
Its designed for safety. Typically used in gas form, propane is stored and
transported as a liquid under pressure. Propane is nontoxic and odorless so processors add a chemical odorant (ethyl mercaptan) to propane to help users detect leaks via an easy-to-identify rotten egg smell.
Heating Oil
73
Electricity
175
Source: Developed from U.S. EPA data, taken as average of 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Its builder-friendly. With propane, youre not at the mercy of a public utility.
And with the option of aboveground or underground storage tanks, propane professionals can install and connect home appliances and other applications on your schedule. Propane also provides job-site exibility by providing gas energy for portable generators and temporary construction heaters.
Source: Newport Partners 2011 Energy and Environmental Analysis of Propane Energy Pod Homes. Complete study available at buildwithpropane.com > Resources > Propane Energy Pod. Findings are based on climate averages across 16 locations developed through building energy simulations. Assumptions include a 2,400-square-foot home built to the 2009 IECC, and the use of high-efficiency propane heating and water heating equipment, moderate efficiency propane direct-vent fireplace, and standard efficiency propane cooktop, oven, and clothes dryer. Warm and moderate climates were assumed to use hybrid air source heat pumps with propane furnace back-ups for space heating.
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Youd like to grow sales, and your customers want to reduce their energy bills. The Propane Energy Pods integrated, research-based solution demonstrates propanes exceptional ability to do both. Tailored for each major U.S. climate zone, the Propane Energy Pod incorporates ve vital applications space heating, water heating, cooking, replaces, and clothes drying into an energy-efcient new home package. When chosen as the primary energy source, the Propane Energy Pod delivers measurable value to new home construction packages via top-quality mechanical systems and appliances.
Use the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) to Gain Referrals If youre looking for a new way to showcase the value of your home construction over competitors, consider applying the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) to your projects. Developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), the HERS Index contrasts a Propane Energy Pod home against a built-to-code reference home. The index also allows comparisons of different home designs and specications. The HERS measure works across various climate zones and is used by builders to differentiate their high-performance homes from new and existing home competition. To try the Interactive Propane Energy Pod Tool, which shows HERS Index ratings of different homes, go to buildwithpropane.com/energypod.
Water Heating
Clothes Drying
Annual Emissions (metric tons CO2) Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index
Source: Newport Partners LLC
65
83
Space Heating
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SPACE HEATING
Consider the following propane applications for your next project. Many are manufactured as Energy Starqualied models:
FrEE ONLINE TrAININg: A Comparative Analysis of Residential Heating Systems Learn how to compare heating systems in terms of initial costs, operating costs, carbon emissions, and payback periods. Go to buildwithpropane.com/ training or download the complete Comparative Heating Systems Study at buildwithpropane.com > Resources > Comparative Heating Study.
Metric tons of C02 Propane Electric Propane and Electric Heating Oil
Source: Newport Partners 2010 Heating Study. Complete study available at buildwithpropane.com > Resources > Comparative Heating Study. For comparison purposes, greenhouse gas emissions results are normalized based on the emissions of a highefficiency propane forced-air furnace. Lower numbers represent lower greenhouse gas emissions. Findings are national averages based on computer energy simulations of a typical new home across 16 locations in warm, moderate, and cold climate zones.
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WATER HEATING
Propane meets or exceeds the performance of other energy choices for residential water heating.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Residential Water Heating
Solar DHW with propane tankless back-up Tankless, condensing Tankless, noncondensing High-efciency storage, condensing High-efciency storage, noncondensing Heat pump water heater Standard efciency storage Standard efciency storage
Source: Newport Partners 2011 Water Heating Study. Complete study available at buildwithpropane.com > Resources > Research and Insights > Residential Water Heating Systems. For comparison purposes, greenhouse gas emissions results are normalized based on the emissions of a propane tankless, noncondensing water heater. Lower numbers represent lower greenhouse gas emissions. Findings are national averages based on computer energy simulations of hot water use in a typical new home across 10 locations in warm, moderate, and cold climate zones.
Source: tanklesswaterheatersdirect.com. Flow rate for customers appliances and fixtures will vary due to differences in local water pressure, as well as appliance and fixture performance.
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While propanes advantages for space and water heating are well known, this exceptional energy draws customers seeking exceptional energy solutions for kitchen and laundry appliances. Consider the benets:
twice as long as tank-style units. Just as important: Most of its parts are recyclable, so when the heater reaches the end of its operating life, little of it needs to go to a landll. Propane meets or exceeds the performance of other energy choices for residential water heating.
Propane
Electric
Source: Comparing Residential Water Heaters for Energy Use, Economics, and Emissions, Newport Partners LLC, September 2011.
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OUTDOOR LIVING
Pool and spa heaters. Propane is an excellent choice to help your customers
enjoy a warm pool and spa experience, regardless of the weather. Propane pool heaters can reduce customer energy bills, since they warm pools faster than electric units while maintaining heat better in cold conditions.
Grills. Its a fact: About 60 percent of home grillers prefer propane for
outdoor cooking, largely because of its instant-heat precise temperature control. Another selling point: Propane grills release far less carbon monoxide, particulates, and soot.
Outdoor kitchens. For customers who want only the best in an outdoor
kitchen, propane delivers. A premium built-in cooking area complete with large grilling surface, cooktop, oven, and rotisserie can easily be set up to operate on a propane cylinder or on a homes main supply tank.
FrEE ONLINE TrAININg: Outdoor Living Ready to learn more about how you can use propanes exceptional energy to fuel the best in outdoor living for your customers? For full course details, go to buildwithpropane .com/training. Enroll today to learn more about the economic, environmental, and efciency benets of building and remodeling with propane while fullling your professional training requirements.
Mosquito control. Nothing can ruin an evening on the patio quite like
mosquitoes. Propane-fueled mosquito traps can keep the party going. With an acre radius, the trap uses propane gas, air, blue LED lights, and octenol (a byproduct of human respiration) to lure mosquitoes to the unit, while a high-powered vacuum sucks the pests into a removable catch tray. Flameless technology makes this product a must-have for well-used outdoor living areas. New PLUG1 gas outlets make connecting propane appliances as safe and easy as plugging in an electrical appliance. For more information, visit www.plug1.com.
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GENERATORS
Installation
Propane standby and off-grid generator systems are housed outside, usually adjacent to a garage, shed, or other non-living space. These units draw propane from the homes main storage tank.
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INNOVATIONS
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INSTALLATION
Building and safety codes. These regulations vary by state and local
municipality. In addition to observing local codes, most states require that propane retailers follow the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 58: Liqueed Petroleum Gas Code (available at nfpa.org). In most cases, propane tanks must have at least 10 feet of clearance from the home, other structures, and property lines.
Ease of access. When siting the tank, its important to choose a location
that allows for easy access for lling and maintenance. For example, in colder climates, consider how the location will allow propane delivery trucks to reach the tank during heavy snow conditions. Your propane supplier will give you tank location options.
Source: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Department of Transportation (DOT)
In addition to the guidelines noted above, other factors inuencing tank size include total square footage of the home, total Btu load of installed propane appliances, and the climate zone. See the Typical Propane Consumption chart on page 3 for more details.
TIMELINE
While the timing on projects is rarely exactly the same, heres where propane would typically t into your overall build schedule.
Appliance installation
Tank installation
Perform landscaping
Inspection
Appliance selection
Permits
Service test
Homeowner moves in
BEgINNINg
MIDDLE
END
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INSTALLATION
10 ft (min)
Window air
10 ft (min) (Note 1)
10 ft (min) (Note 1)
Central AC compressor (source of ignition) 10 ft (min) (Note 1) 10 ft (min) (Note 2) 10 ft (min) (Note 2) Note 1: The relief valve, filling connection, and fixed maximum liquid level gauge vent connection at the container must be at least 10 ft from any exterior source of ignition, openings into direct-vent appliances, or mechanical ventilation air intakes. Note 2: No part of an underground container can be less than 10 ft from an important building or line of adjoining property that can be built upon. Crawl space opening, window, or exhaust fan
501
20
00
gal
10 ft (min)
w.c .
25 ft (min) (Note 2)
Note 1: Regardless of its size, any ASME container filled on site must be located so that the filling connection and fixed maximum liquid level gauge are at least 10 ft from any external source of ignition (e.g., open flame, window AC, compressor), intake to direct-vented gas appliance, or intake to a mechanical ventilation system.
Note 2: This distance can be reduced to no less than 10 ft for a single container of 1200 gal (4.5 m3) water capacity or less, provided such container is at least 25 ft from any other LP-Gas container of more than 125 gal (0.5 m3) water capacity.
3. Choose Underground Tank Site Carefully and Follow the Permitting Process
With a nearly invisible prole, underground propane storage tanks have become an increasingly popular choice for new construction customers, as well as homeowners seeking to upgrade their existing energy systems. For builders considering large-scale exurban or other off-the-main housing projects, an underground community tank system is an efcient, aesthetically pleasing way to deliver propanes exceptional energy to customers. As with aboveground tanks, installation permits and regulations for underground tanks will vary by location. In many cases where septic systems are part of the overall site plan, its possible to coordinate excavation for underground propane storage tanks at the same time. When nalizing a location, choose a site that can easily accommodate propane delivery under all weather conditions.
FrEE ONLINE TrAININg: Community Propane Tanks Community tanks and systems can help you provide customers with propanes exceptional energy regardless of a projects size or location. Learn more at buildwithpropane.com/training.
Left page and this page: Reproduced with permission from NFPA 58-2011, Liqueed Petroleum Gas Code, Copyright 2010, National Fire Protection Association. This reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the NFPA on the referenced subject, which is represented only by the standard in its entirety.
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Learn More
dsireusa.org
Learn more about the National Green Building Standard at nahbgreen.org. buildwithpropane.com
Project Size Lot Design, Preparation, and Development Resource Efciency Energy Efciency Water Efciency Indoor Environmental Quality Operation, Maintenance, and Building Owner Education Additional Points (from any section Total Points
Bronze 39 45 30 14 36 8 50 222
Source: Points and categories based on the National Green Building Standard, ICC700-2008, approved by the American National Standards Institute on Jan. 29, 2009.
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Available Certications
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Propane Education & Research Council 1140 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Suite 1075 Washington, DC 20036
Propane Education & Research Council 01/12
The Propane Education & Research Council was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the passage of Public Law 104-284, the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA), signed into law on October 11, 1996. The mission of the Propane Education & Research Council is to promote the safe, efcient use of odorized propane gas as a preferred energy source.