Written on: November 28, 2022
If you grew up in a home heated with #2 heating oil or even electric heat, the idea of heating a home with propane might seem odd. After all, most people still think propane is just for grills and camping. But as electric rates continue to increase and the cost of oil remains unpredictable, many homeowners in South Florida area are looking for a domestic fuel source with less volatile prices.
Others are wondering if electricity is as “green” a choice as it’s cracked up to be (it’s not!). And once they do learn more, most people are discovering all the benefits of propane.
Here are the answers to all your questions—some of which might surprise you!
Propane is a byproduct of natural gas that is one of the cleanest, most versatile, and 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 that of electricity.
Because it is compressed and stored in a liquid state, it is sometimes referred to as Liquid Petroleum Gas or LPG.
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, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy.
Also, propane appliances are also extremely 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 energy-efficient, it’s a smarter choice than electricity for a wide variety of appliances. For example, propane water heaters generate much more hot water at a cheaper cost per gallon compared to electricity.
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, including:
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 much more. Additionally, propane has 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 still have options. Your home will stay warm and comfortable thanks to your supply of propane stored right on your property in a tank that’s kept full thanks to prompt propane deliveries from Pico Propane. With a propane-fueled backup generator, your lights and countless other appliance can keep running until the utility companies can make necessary repairs. Now that’s some added peace of mind!
Whether you’re ready to make the switch away from electric systems, or have more questions, the professionals at Pico Propane can help! We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to answer all your questions about the benefits of propane for your home.
We can get you started with the right size propane tank for your needs, plus reliable propane delivery and so much more. Contact us for more information today.