How to Change to Gas Heaters From Propane

Open the case of the heater to gain access to the internal workings. Lift the propane gas burner out of the bottom of the heat exchanger; the burner is a long, usually-tubular metal pipe with small holes all along the upper surface. Burners are not typically held in place with fasteners, but rather are simply put in position and allowed to rest on a supporting tongue. Lift the end of the burner closest to where the gas enters the heater; this end of the burner is open. Pull the burner in the direction that the open end was pointing. This should move the other end, which is closed, away from the supporting tongue. When the burner is freed, lift it out of the heater.

Locate the gas orifice, commonly called the jet. Follow the gasline into the heater to where the open end of the burner was located. A separate component is fitted to the end of the gas line, intended to increase the speed of the gas flow by decreasing the bore through which it passes. This is necessary for the gas to drag combustion air into the burner. The reducing device is the jet. Jets are typically made from brass, while the pipe is likely to be mild steel or iron. Jets are usually male threaded and installed in a matched female-threaded receiver.

Locate the gas orifice, commonly called the jet. Follow the gasline into the heater to where the open end of the burner was located. A separate component is fitted to the end of the gas line, intended to increase the speed of the gas flow by decreasing the bore through which it passes. This is necessary for the gas to drag combustion air into the burner. The reducing device is the jet. Jets are typically made from brass, while the pipe is likely to be mild steel or iron. Jets are usually male threaded and installed in a matched female-threaded receiver.

Turn the jet counterclockwise with a properly sized wrench until it comes free, then install the replacement in a reversal of the process. Unless otherwise instructed by the kit manufacturer, it is not normally necessary to use a thread-sealing compound on the jet. Turn the new jet with a wrench only a fraction more than finger-tight.

Change over the pilot jet if one is fitted. Remove the jet by turning it counterclockwise as when working on the main jet and replace it in a reversal of the process. Again, unless otherwise directed, the use of a thread-sealing compound is not normally a requirement. Do not over-tighten.

Install the replacement burner in a reversal of the lift-and-pull process followed when removing the original unit: Site the closed end of the new burner on the support tongue. Gently press it in the opposite direction to that from which the gas enters the appliance, then lower the open end until it is in line with the main jet. It is unlikely that any fastener is required to hold the burner in place.