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Commercial builders beginning new projects, and facilities considering an upgrade to the heating equipment, should consider incorporating propane-powered commercial heating equipment over electric systems. Utilizing propane heating systems reduces a building’s reliance on the U.S. power grid, which is facing an energy emergency. Power outages are expected to increase significantly over the next five years, leaving businesses vulnerable. Propane powered systems minimize the building’s reliance on the grid, offering resilience and energy independence.
High performance propane solutions offer a variety of different heating options. Commercial construction professionals and building operators should understand the systems, explore the equipment manufacturers, and establish contact with their local propane retailers. There is a variety of propane-powered commercial heating equipment in the market for use in offices, schools, restaurants, hotels, institutional buildings, hospitals, and more. In commercial buildings, the primary types of propane heating equipment specified are:
- Combined heat & power (CHP) systems
- Furnaces
- Boilers and hydronic heating
- Snow melt systems
Combined heat & power (CHP) systems
CHP systems use propane or natural gas to generate electricity to power a building while also producing hot water that can be used for space conditioning and many other building functions. These systems produce heat and power on site, eliminating efficiency losses from the power plant. Propane-powered CHP systems revolutionize commercial and industrial facilities by enhancing energy efficiency and resiliency, providing a reliable backup power source, minimizing waste heat and emissions, and delivering electricity and thermal energy precisely where it’s needed.
Furnaces
Many commercial HVAC designs use commonly available propane furnaces to efficiently and effectively heat commercial spaces. Propane furnaces offer great flexibility in both the type and capacity of the equipment, which makes them a good fit for many different commercial buildings. Smaller residential-scale units can range in capacity from 44,000 Btu/h up to 180,000 Btu/h with efficiency levels of 80 percent to 98.5 percent AFUE. Larger units with capacities greater than 225,000 Btu/h are measured by their Thermal Efficiency, and can reach capacities greater than 1 million Btu/h.
High-efficiency propane furnaces — generally those with efficiency levels above 90 percent AFUE — capture additional heat from the combustion gasses and use this to increase the heat transfer of the furnace for greater efficiency. Many high-efficiency propane furnaces are two-stage or variable speed units, so the furnace heats the building steadily and comfortably. And the heated air leaving the furnace is significantly warmer than temperatures offered by electric heat pumps.
A critical feature of these furnaces is their ability to condition different zones of a building. This allows the use of multiple, smaller furnaces (often packaged as Roof Top Units or RTUs) to be installed to meet the heating needs of just one part of a building. Zoning offers improved efficiency and temperature control in the space, as well as modularity that can simplify installation and maintenance.
Boilers and hydronic heating
High-efficiency propane boilers provide efficient, reliable heating for commercial applications, offering lower energy costs, reduced emissions, and consistent performance, even during power outages. Propane boilers serve both space heating and hot water needs with a capacity as high as 8,660,000 Bth/h input, meaning they can provide high volumes of hot water not only for heating, but also for domestic consumption and related applications like laundry.
Multiple boilers can also be banked together for larger system capacities, while also offering a redundant system design. Their durability, wide range of heating capacities, and scalability make them ideal for meeting high heating demands and give builders the flexibility they need to provide consistent and reliable heat for their clients.
A propane hydronic heating system uses a propane-fueled boiler to heat water, which is then circulated through pipes to distribute heat throughout a building. The heat can be distributed through baseboard convectors, radiators, radiant panels or, most commonly in commercial systems, through heating coils in variable air volume boxes and forced-air systems.
AWHP – A hybrid solution
A hydronic heating system using an air-to-water heap pump is a hybrid product that combines the benefits of a heat pump with the power of a propane boiler. The heat pump handles most of the heating load in milder weather, while the boiler provides backup heat during colder periods or when higher temperatures are needed, ensuring consistent comfort and potentially reducing energy costs.
The biggest improvement over a traditional hydronic system is the overall system efficiency and resulting decarbonization. Hybrid solutions are up to five times more efficient than traditional electric boilers, providing significant energy savings and reducing environmental impact. Elliott Willey, Director of Product Management & Climate Conscious at Weil-McLain, explains: “You can ‘lead’ with the AWHP, providing significant decarbonization opportunity, while still having your traditional boiler as an always-ready back-up providing peace of mind.”
“The beauty in our hybrid approach is that it will operate in all climates, especially cold climates, as we can take advantage of the boiler during the coldest days,” he continues. “Furthermore, we are prioritizing active rebate programs at the state and utility levels incentivizing decarbonization solutions for homeowners.”
Snowmelt systems
Space heating is not propane’s only commercial heating use. Propane-powered snow melt systems are popular in regions of the country that receive significant winter weather and where quick removal is key to safe vehicle and pedestrian traffic. From sidewalks and entryways to parking lots, loading docks, and access ramps, snow and ice present slip hazards and endanger the safety of drivers, employees, and customers.
Injuries can cost companies millions of dollars a year in lost revenue and production, so it’s vital for commercial operations to take preventive safety measures and invest in snow melt systems. Snow melt systems are critical additions to hospitals, clinics, and assisted living facilities so patients can be safely transported into the building, but they should also be considered for hotels, restaurants, ski resorts, universities, and parking garages in colder climates.
Source commercial heating equipment with PERC’s Commercial Equipment Directory
To make it easier for contractors, building operators, specifiers, and propane marketers to source this commercial heating equipment, the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) has developed a convenient online directory. Users simply choose the desired equipment from a dropdown, then review parameters that will help to further narrow the equipment options and respective manufacturers.
As builders move forward with building design, it is vital to include propane-powered commercial heating equipment in the plans. The variety of options available provide efficient heating and temperature control, flexibility in installation and equipment type that can be tailored to a project’s specifications, and provides greater independence from the electric grid.