Steps for New Propane Heater

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Ironeaglex

0
Jun 2, 2018
5
Allentown pa
Hello,
I am looking to have a propane heater and propane tank installed and wanted to know the correct steps in doing this. Should I have the heater installed before getting the propane tank installed or vice versa or do both need to be installed at the same time? I will need to have someone plumb the heater and have an electrician wire the new heater and also have a propane company install the tank so there are a lot of moving parts and wondering what to do first.

Also, is there any negative from ordering a propane heater online through a pool store or easier to order locally? The pool place that built my pool seems to have a much higher prices on heaters than the prices I currently see online. Thanks.
 
I think you should have the propane tank installed and gas line run to heater location first. You know the deals in your area with buying or renting a propane tank?

Also have electrical drop run to heater location.

Then it is ready for heater installation and hookup.

Check on the manufactures warranty of what you buy online and make sure you are covered. Know where yiu will get service for the heater. Pool store are about 2X the cost but should give you warranty support and service if you cannot DIY.

What heater are you thinking of?
 
Are you looking to extend your season? If not you are better off with a heat pump. You'll maintain 90 for well under $100/month in operating costs. Propane will be more than $100 for just a weekend. I think you can figure on $5+ per hour with propane.
 
Iron,

You can hire an installation contractor to do all the work, and he will most likely sub some of it our plus provide full warranty. He'll also mark up the price (often considerably). If it were me here's what I'd do:
  • Buy heater online and check the warranty terms to be sure you get full warranty with a licensed installer. Stay away from Jandy as they make this most difficult. Download the installation manual and make a copy for each contractor.
  • Hire an electrician to add the power drop located as Allen advises above. Make sure the written agreement to do the work includes:
    • Must meet requirements in equipment manual you provide and local code
    • All permits
    • No more than 50% payment until completed unit is tested and operational
    • Clear terms on warranty
  • Hire a plumber to do the installation. Make sure his work includes:
    • Install per manufacturers requirements and local code.
    • All required permits.
    • No more than 50% until performance tested and no leaks.
    • Clear terms on warranty
  • Make sure both contractors visit the site and you show them where the equipment will be located. Best to do this with both at the same time.
  • You will be responsible for coordination. Equipment delivery, Permits, and contractor availability will need coordination by you. Not hard to do but don't drop the ball as you can incur liability for extra $ if they show up and can't work because you're not ready for them.
  • Make sure the scope items above are in writing in each purchase order for contractors.
This may sound harder than it is if you haven't worked this way before but it will save you about 30% in cost. And it's not that hard after you've done it a time or two. You may actually like being your own contractor. But if this isn't right for you pay a good GC to to it for you. It's worth it to have a pro manage he job right.

I hope this helps.

Chris

PS You'll still need to have a good installation agreement even with a GC. Everything in writing about how he agrees to do the work and how his warranty works.
 
setsailsoon said:
  • Buy heater online and check the warranty terms to be sure you get full warranty with a licensed installer. Stay away from Jandy as they make this most difficult. Download the installation manual and make a copy for each contractor.
  • Hire an electrician to add the power drop located as Allen advises above. Make sure the written agreement to do the work includes:
    • Must meet requirements in equipment manual you provide and local code
    • All permits
    • No more than 50% payment until completed unit is tested and operational
    • Clear terms on warranty
  • Hire a plumber to do the installation. Make sure his work includes:
    • Install per manufacturers requirements and local code.
    • All required permits.
    • No more than 50% until performance tested and no leaks.
    • Clear terms on warranty
  • Make sure both contractors visit the site and you show them where the equipment will be located. Best to do this with both at the same time.
  • You will be responsible for coordination. Equipment delivery, Permits, and contractor availability will need coordination by you. Not hard to do but don't drop the ball as you can incur liability for extra $ if they show up and can't work because you're not ready for them.
  • Make sure the scope items above are in writing in each purchase order for contractors
Click to expand...

Chris, a few comments about the terms you recommend...

  • electrician
    • No more than 50% payment until completed unit is tested and operational Electrician gets paid when drop is installed and power to it is demonstrated. Electrician is not going to want to be hung up on payment if heater installation is delayed. Not his problem. Have a 10% to 15% holdback if you are really concerned about the quality of his work.
    • Clear terms on warranty warranty on what? Workmanship? Wire? Circuit breaker? Probably unnecessary for a single drop.
  • plumber to do the installation.
    • All required permits. All permits for the work should be pulled by one person
    • No more than 50% until performance tested and no leaks. If plumber did not supply heater why is he responsible for performance? Plumber follows manufacturers installation instructions. If heater is defective out of the box do you expect the plumber to eat the troubleshooting time? If the homeowner is being the GC then the homeowner covers warranty costs. Thiis is why Pool Stores charge their additional costs.
    • Clear terms on warranty warranty on what? Workmanship? No leaks? Plumber is not warranteeing heater he did not provide.
If you pull permits then you usually need to call for an inspection. Who is responsible for scheduling that and meeting with inspector?

You said "You will be responsible for coordination" which is correct for the homeowner acting as the GC. A lot of the responsibility for quality and warranty falls on whoever is the GC, not the contractors who are simply hired hands. If you expect more then hired hands from a contractor that needs to be made clear.
 
ajw22 said:
Chris, a few comments about the terms you recommend...

  • electrician
    • No more than 50% payment until completed unit is tested and operational Electrician gets paid when drop is installed and power to it is demonstrated. Electrician is not going to want to be hung up on payment if heater installation is delayed. Not his problem. Have a 10% to 15% holdback if you are really concerned about the quality of his work.
    • Clear terms on warranty warranty on what? Workmanship? Wire? Circuit breaker? Probably unnecessary for a single drop.
  • plumber to do the installation.
    • All required permits. All permits for the work should be pulled by one person
    • No more than 50% until performance tested and no leaks. If plumber did not supply heater why is he responsible for performance? Plumber follows manufacturers installation instructions. If heater is defective out of the box do you expect the plumber to eat the troubleshooting time? If the homeowner is being the GC then the homeowner covers warranty costs. Thiis is why Pool Stores charge their additional costs.
    • Clear terms on warranty warranty on what? Workmanship? No leaks? Plumber is not warranteeing heater he did not provide.
If you pull permits then you usually need to call for an inspection. Who is responsible for scheduling that and meeting with inspector?

You said "You will be responsible for coordination" which is correct for the homeowner acting as the GC. A lot of the responsibility for quality and warranty falls on whoever is the GC, not the contractors who are simply hired hands. If you expect more then hired hands from a contractor that needs to be made clear.
Click to expand...
Electrician - Yes have a date you have to pay him based on plan. I wouldn't mess with hold back on this small of a job. Warranty is on workmanship and parts/materials he provides
Plumber - I've had contractors pull their own. No problem. In some jurisdictions they may need to be the same entity but I've not had that happen to me. Yes workmanship only for his warranty. If owner supplied I agree owner's responsible for equipment warranty. Problems out of the box are rare but can occur and are homeowners issue. No leaks for plumbers work only. Test run and check plumbers connections.


Allen, good clarifications. I hope this helps.

Chris
 
Last edited:
Thank you all for the info. I was thinking more on having the correct placement of the heater first before a propane tank is installed so that there is no issue after a tank is installed and then whomever plumbs the heater may see an issue on where the heater is/was placed.

I am looking at either the Hayward H series or a Raypak propane heaters. I've been reading on here that Raypaks seem to be a better unit. Would it be any benefit to ordering a heater through Leslies and having it installed or ordering the heater myself from somewhere else and have an electrician install? I know most do not recommend them (especially for chemicals) but I've also seen some on here who have purchased VS pumps through them and had them installed. Their prices on heaters seem to be somewhat lower than the pool place that built my pool.

I am looking to extend the swimming season somewhat (May through Sept) but would like the heater more for times during the early summer where temps are not as hot and be able to heat the pool and start swimming sooner. Last year we really didn't get any good summer heat until the early part of July where the water warmed up to a comfortable temperature to swim. I barely was in the pool in June of last year because the weather was not as great as it normally is and hence had a short swimming season. I'm not looking to be using the heater early spring or late fall/winter for that matter so that is why I am leaning more towards propane as I have read that heat pump in my state would not be as efficient in heating the water.
 
Propane and natural gas are great for quickly heating but realize it's going to cost a lot. I'm further south than you and I added $400/month in natural gas charges during pool season. I think with propane you can add at least $600. It would be a lot more if we swam more. As it is we're in maybe 2 days a week during season. I'm actually considering adding a heat pump.

Big thing is a heat pump can keep your pool at 90 all season long. 24x7. It won't really extend your season but we've never really done that anyway with gas since air temps are too cold. Don't get me wrong we've tried the gas heater runs and runs and runs!
 
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