Propane is a safe, efficient, and reliable alternative to electricity for many appliances. Some people use propane to go off the grid, while others have propane available alongside the standard electricity in their home. Propane is an affordable choice that’s ideal for families who want to minimize their carbon footprint and go a little greener. The numerous benefits associated with propane use may give you a whole new appreciation for this alternative fuel in your Washington, D.C. home.
It’s a High-Energy Alternative
Propane, or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is a high-energy alternative to traditional fuels. It has a higher octane rating than gasoline. Propane is a colorless and odorless liquid that vaporizes into a gas. The smell associated with propane is actually an odorant known as ethyl mercaptan, which is added so users can detect a leak.
While an electric heat pump delivers air only slightly warmer than the human body, propane provides a consistent air supply around 115 degrees. Electricity will take an hour to reheat a hot water tank, but propane can do the job in 20 minutes. This is a surprisingly efficient choice for powering your home.
Propane is Safe for the Environment
Propane is listed as a clean fuel in the 1990 Clean Air Act as well as the Energy Policy Act of 1992. It burns cleaner than any other fossil fuel. Propane does not contaminate groundwater or soil. Propane has a low carbon content, producing minimal emissions. When propane is derived as a by-product of natural gas production, it reduces petroleum use between 98 and 99 percent. If you’re interested in maintaining an environmentally friendly home, propane is a powerful solution.
It is a Reliable Choice in an Emergency
In an emergency situation where your electricity is knocked out, your propane-fueled appliances will still work. This is a safe and reliable choice that won’t leave you without heat when you need it most. The only requirement is that you keep your propane tank well-maintained and filled. One gallon of propane provides 27 kilowatt hours of electricity and 91,600 Btu’s. If you’re using propane, keep in mind that propane tanks are only filled to 80 percent of their capacity to allow for expansion. Propane expands in hot temperatures.
Propane is a Safe Energy Pick
Home propane tanks are typically buried well beyond the natural gas main. Propane tanks are 20 times more puncture resistant than those used for gasoline, ethanol, and methanol. If you do experience a propane leak, the added odorant will help you detect it. Propane has the distinct smell of rotting eggs to alert you to any problems. A carbon monoxide detector can provide added safety around propane appliances. Propane appliances can produce carbon monoxide, but a CO detector will alert you to high levels.
To keep your propane tank and appliances in top condition, you should schedule annual maintenance. Make an appointment for propane appliance maintenance once a year when you have other appliances, like your HVAC system, tuned up. This regular visit will ensure that everything is in safe, working condition.
You Can Save Money on this Choice
Propane is an affordable alternative to electric appliances. Heating your water will propane rather than electricity will save you 30 percent a year. A propane clothes dryer is 50 percent more efficient than its electric counterpart. A tankless propane water heater can have an efficiency level as high as 94 percent.
Propane is Extremely Versatile
Many people associate propane solely with outdoor grills, but propane can power many household appliances. You can use propane for home heating or your boiler. A propane fireplace offers more even heating and eliminates the ash and soot produced by a wood burning fireplace. Clothes dryers, ranges, and ovens can all run off propane as well. If your home is equipped to use propane, you have an extensive range of options available to you.
If your home uses propane, Griffith Energy Services can offer scheduled or automatic propane delivery to meet your residential needs. Call Griffith Energy Services at (888) 474-3391 to learn more about how we can supply your propane promptly and affordably on a schedule that fits your family.
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