I would like to know if it is possible to convert a oil furance to LP gas. I am looking at a home that has a newer furance but is run on oil and the tanks are in the basement. I am not a big fan of this set up. Is it possible to convert the furance without replacing it to run off LP gas as then I could place the tan outside.

I would like to know this since I have heard that heating oil prices have been going up the past few years and also so I could then keep the fuel outside. As I heard that heating oil can not be placed outside due to it could freeze.

If this is possible how hard of a project is this and roughly how much would it run. Is there any programs by the goverenment that could also possibly off set so of the cost?

 

I doubt that an oil furnace can be converted to propane. An oil furnace uses a liquid fuel. A propane furnace uses a gas (vapor for lack of a better word) fuel. If it was a natural gas furnace, it would be fairly easy to convert to propane.

Depending on where you live, propane is not a cheap heating fuel. Propane hasd less btu's than fuel oil so it takes more to get the same amount of heat.

As to heating fuel freezing if stored outside, that depends on the type of heating fuel available. In Canada, heating oil is basically diesel fuel with a different name and taxes. I would check with a local supplier as to what grade of heating oil is available and cost. One reason heating oil tanks are inside is people had them filled while summer diesel was still available (at least as long as I can remember). Summer diesel is a heavier fuel than winter diesel and has more BTU's than the lighter winter diesel. Summer diesel will gel in cold temps, thus the need for for heated storage. There are fuel conditioners that will keep diesel from gelling in cold weather. Not sure how cost effective they are or that I would use them in a furnace tank. My concern would be not getting enough conditioner or not mixed well enough and having the fuel gel in extreme cold.

If it is smell you are concerned about, there are a few things to check.
-tank must be vented to the outside, fill cap must be outside and no openings into the tank in the basement.
-fuel lines, valves and connections must be in good condition and tight.
-if odor is coming from the furnace, get it checked as something isn't working right.

It can be done, but is not economically justifiable.

Basic construction of firebox is different between a fuel oil furnace and a "dry gas" fueled one.

There is not enough price difference in the fuel prices ($$/btu) for much savings.

Figure 2 gal. of fuel oil vs 3 gal propane for same btu.

If you're concerned about the smell of fuel oil in the basement, just make sure that your fill tube and vent are routed outside the home.
The fuel delivery person will love you for making easy access for delivery.
You just have to remember to read your tank and order fuel accordingly.

Thank you guys that was what i was figuring, but wanted to look and see what others had to say.

Just incase you would like to know...
You can take two 50 gal. drums ( removable tops) cut a hole near the bottom and add a spigot, then add a vent to the lid. Throw the barrels in the back of the pickup and go to your local Southern States and buy the diesel fuel Bart suggested, I think it is number 2. All you have to do then is pull the truck close to the fill tube, hook a piece of water hose to it and let gravity take it's toll. Buying it this way usually saves you about $20 - $25 per hundred gallon, and if you ever have an emergency need for oil you're all set.