What are the differences?
Aside from the normal obvious differences between our Propane models and Diesel models, we get this question a lot.
The biggest difference between the Propane and Diesel versions is the way the heating system works. Obviously, one is propane and the other is diesel, but how the fueling is controlled between the two, is where they differ.
Propane
The propane version has a static thermostat where you set the dial and walk away. It's easy to use and there's not much to think about, but that's pretty much as far as it goes. You can't setup custom time schedules or program the propane version.
Diesel
With the Diesel version, it has what we call a "Smart Thermostat" which has an actual programming logic controller and this lets the system control heating to be even more efficient, saving you money in fuel costs. The diesel version also has data logging, which let's you take a look at how well the system is heating to know if your hot box is working at peak efficiency. In addition, the smart thermostat will let you control heating requirements, allowing you to literally walk away and forget about it, or you can setup a time schedule and have the burner turn on or off at pre-determined times. For example, set it to turn off over the weekend and automatically turn on for the week.
Conclusion
Better tools means a higher cost, so if you're looking at a budget system that's easier to use, the propane is probably the best bet. But if you want to know exactly where your money is going, and you want a system with the highest heating efficiency, diesel is the way to go.