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Connect_Dust_1946 t1_j6pbts9 wrote

Reply to comment by ecco-domenica in Stay warm this weekend by rocksandlsd

Any comment on propane heating systems fed by and outside tank? I’ve been keeping mine around 50, should I be worried about pipes bursting? I’m thinking more of the water system than the heating system

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MrMediocreMan t1_j6pfgho wrote

The frozen pipes are a 2 part concern.

  1. Some homes use hydronic baseboards (aka hotwater baseboards) and have high amounts of insulation. If they set a low temperature the heat may not cycle often. Their baseboards are on exterior walls and may pass through unheated cavities. These can freeze quickly with -30f temps.

  2. If your house has regular plumbing it may be in areas that freeze quickly, like the pipes under the kitchen sink. You can open the cupboard to fix this issue, but often there are pipes in closets or wall cavities that share space with vents that exit the roof. These get really cold too.

Having a higher ambient temperature will prevent a lot of issues in these areas.

I don't think the propane would freeze unless you're trying to use a small propane tank for the application. Like a grill tank for your fireplace could be an issue this weekend when it isn't in seasonal temps.

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Connect_Dust_1946 t1_j6pg1i7 wrote

Hey thanks for the reply! I’m not worried about the propane freezing, moreso the plumbing. I plan to be out of town on Friday and Saturday, when it looks to be coldest, and I’m concerned keep the temp on Low (~50 degrees) might not be enough to keep the plumbing safe while I’m out of town.

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