Propane for the Range

We recently installed the new propane range in the kitchen, so it was time to make something permanent to house the propane bottles. But first I'd like to comment on two things. 

#1- Our choice for a range was either electric or propane. Hawaii doesn't have natural gas, at least not yet. Electric was totally out of the question because we are on solar. Electric ranges are big energy hogs, so there was no way we'd even consider it. 

#2- Going with delivered propane is expensive. The cost per gallon is higher than if you pick it up yourself. Plus there's the installation fee and monthly tank rental. Having your own portable bottles filled is easy here. I pass two filling stations 5 days a week, so it's convenient. 

When we first moved here, we purchased fairly large portable bottles, about 20 gallons. But here we sit 10 years later and find those large tanks to be too heavy for us when filled. So we've replaced them with small 5 gallon bottles. Over the years we've scaled back our use of propane, so dealing with small bottles is just fine. They are light enough for us to handle easily and they last for several months of use. 

Finished box, just needs paint on the lattice in order to blend in. 

We wanted to store the propane bottles outside, keep them dry, plus have easy access to them. Hubby suggested that we build a box for them, so we started scheming. What we settled on is overkill for the need, but we're both happy with it. We built a small concrete slab, imbedding lava rocks into the surface for a pleasing effect. Left over lumber made the frame, which ended up looking like a table. We covered that with plastic lattice so that the bottles were out of view but the box was very well ventilated. 

Close up view of the top. 

Next, the box needed a rainproof lid. Hubby would have been happy with plywood I suspect, but we ended up agreeing to a bench top. It's made out of some redwood and cedar that we had. I think it turned out really nice. 

Bottom of the lid showing the metal roofing to keep the rain out. 

Of course, an open work bench top is hardly rainproof! So a piece of metal roofing was cut to size and screwed onto the underside of the bench top. The lid fits nicely to the top of the box. It's heavy enough not to blow off. We opted not to attach it with hinges, so that it would be easier to access the bottles. The two wood slats on the bottom of the lid slid into the lip of the box, keeping the lid from sliding around. 

Looking down into the box. 

The box holds two propane bottles comfortably. There's enough room to easily work with the bottles, disconnecting and connecting. 

The propane switching valve. 

The two bottles connect directly to an automatic switching valve. When one bottle goes empty, the other bottle automatically takes over. That way you don't run out of propane in the middle of making dinner or baking a cake. Right under the black cap on top of the valve you can see a green band. When it tuns red, you know that bottle #1 is empty. Time to flip the lever, then take off the empty tank and have it refilled. This valve is a nifty little convenience.

One more step to do and the box is complete. I need to get some paint that adheres to plastic and paint the lattice. Then I can paint over it with another color, so that the box blends in with the rest of  the house.

Paloma and Propane Use

Our hot water heater, a Paloma.

We get our hot water from an on-demand, propane fired unit called a Paloma. Paloma is the name of the brand, but the name is used generically around here to mean a propane on-demand water heater.

We don't know how old our unit is because it was a used unit that the previous owners installed. But the thing is still working ok. Once it went on the fritz, but hubby was able to taken it apart is clean it well. Since then it has been doing fine. Around here you learn to repair most of your stuff yourself, since at-home repairmen are scarcer than a steel penny.

For many years we simply ran the paloma 24 hours a day. It has a pilot light, so when you turn on your hot water, the unit engages and heats the water running through it. We never gave hot water a thought. Just turn on the faucet. Earlier this year we decided to try to shave our propane dependency. So we now turn off the paloma except when we plan to take a shower. Sure, it means walking out and turning the unit on once or twice a day, but it turns out to be well worth the effort.

February 1st I installed a newly filled propane tank. One June 8th, it ran out.  That means we got 4 months plus 1 week out of that tank. Let's say for simplicity, we get 4 months out of a propane tank. That's 3 tanks a year. In 2012 we went through 6 tanks. Wow, we managed to save 3 tankfuls!!!!!  That's a good savings. 50%.

Propane tank stored below, Paloma above.
Closet is outside of the house.

We use the paloma basically just for taking showers. Since I run a woodburning stove in the morning and evening, our hot water for doing dishes and cleaning comes from a pot atop the wood stove. Oh, not every time. I do have a propane range that I use when I'm in a hurry or the woodstove is not running. And if a big bucket of hot water is needed to clean up the floor in a hurry, then the paloma is turned on. But it has become a habit to start the woodstove first thing, plop the teakettle and the big pot on top. 

Hot water for the clothes washer comes via a hose slung up on the roof. Simple. Cost nothing, other than the original cost of the hose. 

My aim is to be reasonably self reliant. And to spend as little actual cash as is feasible so that we can survive ok. Do this while at the same time live comfortably and at a lifestyle that agrees with us. Thus being able to slash our propane use for hot water in half is delightful!

I'm still awaiting on the propane use for cooking. I installed a new tank on the propane range Feb 1st. So far, it hasn't run out. So that will be another report.