PDP 300,000 BTU Natural Gas Vertical Power Vented Unit Heater

If you look under the section entitled Product Details you will see that the full model number for this unit is PDP300AE0130SBAN. Each digit in a Modine model number gives specific information about that variant. The seventh digit “A” tells us that this version has an Aluminized Steel heat exchanger and burner tray. If that digit was an S it would have a stainless steel heat exchanger and an aluminized steel burner tray and if it was a T both the heat exchanger and burner tray would be stainless steel. Most units made in this series are built with aluminized steel. Because this model is noncondensing the flue gas is not wet, and corrosion is typically not a problem. Therefore, customers typically do not opt for the more expensive stainless-steel option. When people do opt for the stainless-steel upgrade, it is typically due to environmental factors. For example, some greenhouses use certain fertilizers and pesticides that are extremely corrosive. In those applications stainless can give a longer life. But under normal conditions there is no benefit to the stainless-steel option. Home Depot does not currently offer the ability to special order online, but if you would like to order a unit built to your exact specifications that can be done through your local store. If you have questions, you are welcome to give me a call. Chris 978 651 3301

• Yes, this unit can be converted to LP. If you scroll down the Home Depot product listing page you will come to a section entitled product details. If you expand that section, you will find the model number of the LP conversion kit and its corresponding Home Depot SKU so you can look it up. It states the following. Convert to LP with purchase of conversion kit model#28052 internet#202812671

This unit can be used in applications where it can be installed in a fashion that complies with code. I would think there are some basement applications that would and others that would not. As code varies state to state and its interpretation varies inspector to inspector, I cannot give you definitive answer if this unit can be installed in your specific application. For that you would need to a local qualified licensed professional or the municipal inspector in you town. By looking at and reviewing the Use and Care Manual, a copy of which can be found under the header Product Details on the Home Depot product listing page, and comparing it to the proposed installation location and local code, they should be able to give you an answer. I would call out that the Use and Care Manual says on page three “Do not install units below 7', measured from the bottom of the unit to the floor, unless properly guarded to provide protection from moving parts.” Therefore the basement would need to be taller than most, this one fact would disqualify many basements. But then again a basement that would require 300,000 BTU’s would be many times larger than average.

I have no way of telling you how many BTU’s you need to heat this building based on the information provided. The proper way to calculate how much heat you need to install is to do a heat loss calculation. There are free programs on line you can use to do this. Basically you enter the dimensions, construction type, geographic location, etc. and the program will calculate the heat loss on the coldest hour of the coldest day of the statistical day of the year. As to your second question. I always use a wood stove as an example of undistributed heat. You stand near the wood stove you are warm, maybe even hot. But the further you go from it the cooler it gets. A unit heater is also undistributed heat. So the same would be true. If you want more even heat, two units will always be better than one. If you take that thinking to its local conclusion you come to radiant heat where the entire floor becomes at heat distribution devise and the heat is as even as it can be.

Yes it does require electricity. In fact let me go further so you do not waste your time looking. You will not find a heater of this style, with this much capacity that does not require an electric power supply. Yes they use to exist however Department of Energy and other government agencies regulated them out of existence a long time ago. There are still small heaters that can work without as supply of electricity and certain products that are available to people that live off the grid due to religious beliefs.

This is just the furnace itself. It does not come with anything else. Although I can not tell you exactly what you will need I am quite confident you will need the following. But I would certainly consult the installation manual and local code before proceeding. In most areas you can use and will therer for need Type B venting material. A a 24volt thermostat, I usually utilize one that has a temperture range that goes down to low temperturnes. I say this as most residential thermostats only goe down to 60 F. Material to hang the unit. On the top are 3/8" nut cert conetions so I usually use 3/8" threaded rod and pipe hanging materials such as 3/8" F&M plates or side beam hangers. And obviously a gas and electrical supply. Usually I have a 120 Volt power shut off switch with the red switch plate next to the unit. But again I would consult the lisenced proversional who will be installing it or the code enforcement person in your area before procedding.

While I can't provide specific recommendations for installers in the St. Paul area, I recommend checking the "Local Contractors" section on the Home Depot website. You can also search online for HVAC professionals in your area, or contact your local Home Depot store for potential leads on qualified installers. Be sure to get multiple quotes and check references before making a decision.

This unit is factory set for Natural Gas. If you want to use it with LP you could field convert it to LP. The Home Depot offer the conversion kit on its web site. It is SKU 202812671. If you put that number in the search block on there web site it will come up. You could also go to a store and they could special order this item for you in LP. That way it would come from the factory already set up for use with propane. If you have questions on how to do that please feel free to give me a call. Chris 978 651 3301

This is for use with natural gas.