Most folks who’ve lived in the northeast have—at least once—lived in a home heated with heating oil, or even kerosene. But those who’ve previously lived in a warmer climate region may be more familiar with electric heat.
So, the idea of heating a home with propane might seem odd or unfamiliar. Most people think propane is just for grills and camping. But as electric rates go up and the cost of oil remains unpredictable, many homeowners are looking for a domestic fuel source with less volatile prices and a more abundant supply. Others are wondering if oil or electricity is the fuel greenest choice on the market. And once they learn the details, more and more people are discovering the many benefits propane has to offer! But what exactly is propane?
Propane is a byproduct of natural gas. Because it is compressed and stored in a liquid state, it is sometimes referred to as Liquid Petroleum Gas or LPG.
Propane is one of the cleanest, most versatile, and most efficient fuels around. It’s a domestically sourced alternative fuel that can provide 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.
Here’s what you probably didn’t know about propane, and why so many customers in eastern Vermont are making the switch:
Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, and it delivers more than twice the Btus of natural gas, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy.
Also, propane appliances are incredibly 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 along the way.
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 space heating and 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. Like natural gas, propane has a distinct rotten-egg smell to help you quickly notice leaking gas.
Propane can also help keep your home and family safe year-round. When storms knock out power, a propane-fueled backup generator will keep your lights and everything else running until the utility companies can make repairs. In addition, a gas stove will continue to work during a power outage. Now that’s some peace of mind!
Whether you’re ready to make the switch to propane, or have more questions, the professionals at Junction Fuels have the knowledge, experience, and resources to answer all your questions. And we can get you started with the right size propane tank for your needs, reliable propane delivery, and more.
Contact us for more information or to get started today.