Backup furnace that doesn't need electricity - Backup heat source

[@lorimiller4756]

Thanks for this video, will definitely look into this heater, mainly for winter power outages. I recently got quotes for a generator that runs on propane and also for having a wood stove installed in my home. Sticker shock, way over the budget.

[@matthewmoore3947]

Glad you said how much propane it used! Watched other videos and they didn't say anything about how much propane they used! Awesome video, God bless you and your family!

[@AHandleOnThings]

Matthew, Thanks for the comment! I try to add in everything I would want to know... Sometimes I forget stuff. People never fail to comment when I forget stuff! lol I love it when we get the positive comments too! Merry Christmas! -Shane

[@amorepreparedlife4557]

This would have been an excellent furnace for the folks in Texas in 2020.

[@AHandleOnThings]

Yes Sir! That is the very reason why we made this video at all! Stay safe and stay warm! -Shane

[@livingitup9647]

Thank you so much for this info! I've been looking for options for a backup electrical source for my natural gas furnace. So far, none of those options are easy or inexpensive. This option is at least another one to consider, and might be cheaper than a backup electrical system dedicated to the furnace. Adding on the cost of an HVAC technician might drive the cost up too much. But, I'm going to research it. I DID NOT know about these no-electric, direct vent units, at such low prices. I'd only seen the fireplace inserts and the much more expensive, fancy units which run thousands, when all is said and done. This video really helped provide extra, needed info. Thank you, again, for sharing it with us!

[@AHandleOnThings]

Living it up, Than YOU for taking the time to send us such an excellent comment! There are so many people who like you and I, were unaware that there is such a simple solution to the problem of power-out heating. I really hope this video helps a lot of folks out. The Texas situation last year was truly heartbreaking and if we can save just one person from experiencing that the time it took to make the video will be well worth it. I hope you have a wonderful evening. And thanks again for the comment! -Shane

[@livingitup9647]

@@AHandleOnThings Yes, I love hearing your concern for the many who are facing increasing power outages -- due to aberrant, extreme weather conditions -- all around the country! I feel the same. Even being in Portland, OR, we are having harder winters in recent years, and more power outages, than I've ever experienced in 65 years here. Not to mention our shameful, ever-increasing homeless population here... the undue suffering is growing everywhere and few solutions being offered. Whatever we can do, collectively, to educate others on how to build contingency plans, is a great service to humanity. Thanks, again, for your heartfelt contributions on KZbin. Stay well, and warm! 🙏💕🕊☮

[@beerbrewer7372]

Great video. You're very articulate and concise. Well done.

[@AHandleOnThings]

Thank you very much! We try to give relevant information I'm glad you found it satisfactory! Have a super evening! -Shane

[@Barret_Radtke]

i got one of these in 2021. for my 12x16 house i built i just relit my pilot light. wish i had one of those giant propane tanks then i wouldn't have to get more propane all the time.

[@OurBlackCatCottage]

Great video. I just installed a similar one, this Williams one actually looks nicer than the one I installed so I wish I would have found your video first. LOL

[@AHandleOnThings]

Little Cat Cottage, When you turn it on and it warms you up, nice looking becomes a lot less important! I'm sure glad you have gotten yourself prepared either way! Have a super weekend! -Shane

[@bluemoondiadochi]

Great video! I've grown up with a wood stove and one thing i like about firewood is that you can stack it in advance. But that's also possible with a large propane gas tank like the one you have. So, in case of a blackout you can also drive a generator on same propane gas and use the gas to also heat your home. one source - two solutions. and you also have control to stock up on your energy source. btw. these heaters also seem to be popular in russia, and are often used off grid only powered by those tall gas bottles.

[@AHandleOnThings]

Thanks for the comment! I know that I wouldn't be without mine! I never have to worry about heat when the power goes out! We also have a wood stove, but it sure is good to have things heated all day when you have to be away from the house! Stay safe! -shane

[@robertlane6675]

We have a similar unit that heats a small generator building at work in WI. The unit just runs all winter long, I can't remember ever having trouble with it. I have a wood stove as backup at home which is great but doesn't do any good if we are out of town.

[@AHandleOnThings]

Robert, I'm in Wisconsin as well, right on the Minnesota border so we are nearly neighbors! Yes sir, these things are very reliable. I also use a wood stove in the house for as much of my heat use as possible, but like you say, you cant just let the place freeze up when you are away. So like you, I have propane heat backup.

[@offgridwanabe]

What does it do when you run out of gas?

[@jeffbudzisz160]

We have a Williams floor furnace in our cabin in Northernn WI that as a sole source of heat and works great without electricity. I installed a smart thermostat so we could change and monitor the temperature while not at the cabin. I want to re-connect the old Honeywell thermostadt to the new thermostadt as a backup. I'm thinking I can simply tap two jumper wires from the old Honeywell into the smart thermostadt and set the temp at a lower temp than the smart thermostadt. It will never kick in unless the internet and or the electric goes out and the temp falls below the smart thermostadt temperature. At that point, the smart thermostat would just act as a junction box allowing the old thermostadt to kick in. My question is: Will it be that simple? There are only two wires and No fans or AC to worry about

[@AHandleOnThings]

Jeff, In my way of thinking, you would not want to "tap into the smart thermostat at all, but rather run a new wire from the old thermostat into the same ports on the furnace that the smart thermostat ties into. The reason for this is assuming the smart thermostat fails ( im guessing this is your concern) it would almost certainly not allow for a complete circuit regardless what is happening at the old thermostat. But if you set the old thermostat up as its own connection, a completed circuit when heat is called for there should initiate the furnace heating cycle for you. As long as the old thermostat is set at something more than about 5 degrees lower than the smart thermostats lowest setting to allow for hysteresis. (in basic terminology, the offset between on and off), it should serve as a failsafe for you. Thats my two cents but no guarantees warrantees etc... you know the deal with disclaimers these days. Stay safe! -Shane

[@jeffbudzisz160]

​@A Handle On Things Thanks for answering, Shane! Sorry, for the delayed appreciation.

[@amywalker7515]

Thank you very much for this presentation. I have apartments and always worry what will happen with my tenants if we have a prolonged power outage here in the northeast with them having stoves that need electricity to operate. Will be looking into this brand and see if I can get at least one of them installed. Do they come with optional blowers too?

[@AHandleOnThings]

Amy, There is an old saying that we follow very closely where I live. "Two is one and one is none" Where it suits the situation, it is a good mantra! They do indeed have optional blowers. The blowers would use electricity but when the power goes out a blower not working would not stop the heat. Merry Christmas! -Shane

[@growinnorth3643]

This looks like it could be a great option for our place! Thanks for sharing!

[@AHandleOnThings]

I think that everyone should have one if they have a place to put one! It is ALWAYS wise to have a backup plan. ESPECIALLY in the winter! Have a super evening -Shane

[@benton-benton]

@@AHandleOnThings Shane, what kind of contractor would I call to have one that runs on nat gas installed? Plumber? Thanks! You opened my eyes to a whole new world of emergency heat! Also, I had no idea that the cans I have stored could explode if they froze too hard.

[@AHandleOnThings]

Yes sir, a plumber or a specialty HVAC person would be your best contractor choice. Natural gas with no electrical requirement is just such a life saver when the power goes out I cant even tell you. Worth any amount of money in my opinion when the chips are down Yes sir tin cans, jars, and all that will crack and leave you with a mighty mess if they freeze... and it doesn't take much

[@thegreenberetlife9949]

Where did you get the exterior plate for the corrugated steel siding?

[@AHandleOnThings]

Green Beret Life, Sorry for the late answer, whipping covid pneumonia here... slowing me down a bit. I got the whole set-up at Menards.com and picked it up locally at the store. I'm sure they ship parts and pieces too though. This is the kit I got ( a few years ago) and it came with and (I assume) still comes with the same direct vent cover. Then I put j-mold around it and I was in business for the pro-rib steel siding. www.menards.com/main/heating-cooling/heaters/gas-wall-heaters/williams-14-000-btu-natural-gas-direct-vent-forced-air-wall-heater/1403822/p-1444447029408.htm Stay safe and be ready brother. -Shane (ex 2/75 Ft Louis WA)

[@carlosfrancofeliciano6160]

What a good video!! The info i needed

[@STManning]

I lived it - DFW, TX apartment... it was horrible...

[@AHandleOnThings]

That was indeed a tough one. It was hard to watch it happen even from afar. Preparedness is the key word! Merry Christmas ! -Shane

[@americanpancakelive]

Hi, very cool video. Does that heater have a carbon monoxide concern or is that what the outside vent is used to be safe??

[@AHandleOnThings]

The outside vent handles all exhaust. the interior is a sealed system. Safe for all rooms including bedrooms Stay warm! -Shane

[@jkmhlewis]

Can you heat a normal house with one of those?

[@AHandleOnThings]

It depends entirely on the size of the house and how cold it gets in your area. In Wisconsin, it wouldn't heat a very big house, but you could install more than one and get to what you need at some point based on size of the house. In Texas it would go a long way toward heating an average house. But, in either place, it is an EXCELLENT choice as a backup furnace Have a great day! -shane

[@jonsmith9708]

These things are $1200 now

[@jonsmith9708]

How big is the room?

[@AHandleOnThings]

The room is 12x15 with 9' ceiling

[@fraudsarentfriends4717]

Used ventless heaters for decades with carbon monoxide and dioxide detectors. The only time you may have a buildup is if the heater is malfunctioning.

[@jeffbudzisz160]

We have a Williams floor furnace in our cabin in Northernn WI that as a sole source of heat and works great without electricity. I installed a smart thermostat so we could change and monitor the temperature while not at the cabin. I want to re-connect the old Honeywell thermostadt to the new thermostadt as a backup. I'm thinking I can simply tap two jumper wires from the old Honeywell into the smart thermostadt and set the temp at a lower temp than the smart thermostadt. It will never kick in unless the internet and or the electric goes out and the temp falls below the smart thermostadt temperature. At that point, the smart thermostat would just act as a junction box allowing the old thermostadt to kick in. My question is: Will it be that simple? There are only two wires and No fans or AC to worry about

[@paulpearson6669]

Great video, thanks.

[@AHandleOnThings]

Thanks paul

[@Moes_Prep_and_Tech]

How much did that propane tank cost?

[@AHandleOnThings]

Demarko, The 500 gallon tanks I have ( I have 2 on the property) are provided by the propane supplier we use. Tanks like this are generally available (except for a lot of places this year) for between $1200-$1500. They are very hard to come by (to purchase) in our area right now at all however. Have a super weekend! -Shane

[@kevinmckinney3625]

Thank you

[@AHandleOnThings]

Kevin, Glad you found something in the video you liked! This little furnace is doing a super job for me and I sure hope others find one like it to keep them out of trouble when the power goes out next time. Have a super new years! -Shane

[@jfkr77]

Nice vid thanks

[@AHandleOnThings]

jfkr, Thank you very much! I hope you have a super holiday! Be prepared my friend, I fear this winter may be difficult here and abroad. -Shane

[@joshm3342]

Bad sound. One channel dies after first 10 seconds.