If you grew up in a home heated with heating oil or electric heat, the idea of heating a home with propane might seem odd. It’s part of the reason why most people think propane is just for grills and camping. But as electric rates go higher and the cost of oil remains unpredictable, many homeowners in the Greene County area are looking for a domestic fuel source with prices that are a bit further under control
Others are wondering if electric heat is actually the cleaner, greener fuel it’s made out to be. It’s at this point that most people are discovering all the benefits propane has to offer!
But what exactly is propane? Propane is a byproduct of natural gas that is one of the cleanest, most versatile, and most efficient fuels around. It provides steady, reliable heat at an affordable price. Propane also offers exceptional performance and efficiency in a wide range of home appliances at a much lower cost than electricity. Because it is compressed and stored in a liquid state, it is sometimes referred to as Liquid Petroleum Gas or LPG.
Here are five ways propane could be a smart choice for fueling your home—and they might surprise you:
Propane is a domestically sourced fuel. In fact, the U.S. produces more than enough propane to meet current demand and became a net exporter of propane in 2011. That increases our energy independence and reduces our reliance on foreign oil imports.
Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, and it delivers more than twice the Btus of natural gas. What does that mean for you? It means you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy.
Also, propane appliances are very efficient, so they waste very little fuel in the combustion process. On the other hand, about two-thirds of the energy used by a power plant to generate and transmit electricity is wasted, which is tough news for your wallet.
Because propane is so efficient, it’s a smarter choice than electricity for a wide variety of appliances, in addition to heating your home.
For example, propane water heaters generate much more hot water at a cheaper cost per gallon. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes that heat water with propane rather than electricity can see average annual savings of $174.
The same technology that makes propane ideal for water heaters makes it a smarter choice than electricity to power all kinds of appliances that use hot water or heat:
While it’s a highly flammable gas under certain conditions, leaks are rare, and propane is a safe and clean-burning way to heat your home and water and run many of your appliances. Propane is designed with a distinct rotten-egg smell to help you quickly notice leaking gas.
If you run your home with propane and the electricity goes out, you have options. Your home will stay warm and comfortable thanks to your supply of propane. How so? It’s stored right on your property in a tank that’s kept full with prompt propane delivery from Rand Wade. And with a propane-fueled backup generator, your lights and everything else will be running until the utility companies can make repairs. How’s that for added peace of mind?
Whether you’re ready to make the switch to propane gas or have more questions to make yourself familiar, the professionals at Rand Wade have the knowledge, experience, and resources to answer all your questions. We can also get you started with the right size propane tank for your needs, reliable propane delivery, and more in no time.
Contact us for more information today.
