What You’ll Learn
What are the most important things for a homeowner to know about propane?
You should know that propane is a safe, American-made fuel that is stored as a pressurized liquid but burns as a clean gas. It is naturally odorless, but manufacturers add a distinctive “rotten egg” smell to help you detect leaks.
Additionally, the average propane-fueled home uses about 500 gallons per year, and because it boils at -44 degrees Fahrenheit, it remains a reliable energy source even in extremely cold weather.
Top 10 Facts:
This blog was updated March 2026.
Propane gas is a wonderful thing, and it’s not just used to power 47 million propane grills in the United States. There are 14.3 million residential propane users nationwide — smart consumers that realize the value of this inexpensive, safe gas.
It might be efficient, but there are more interesting facts about propane that you should know. Myths about the safety of propane-fueled homes abound.
Whether you’re a homeowner who is using a tank or thinking about making the switch, educate yourself with these 10 fascinating propane facts.
Top 10 Propane Facts
Here’s a fact: The average propane-fueled home in the United States needs about 500 gallons per year. If you have a pool or hot tub, that number can more than double. Smaller homes use less propane for heating and cooking needs.
You may have a vague sense of what propane is used for, but what do you really know about it?
You might be new to learning about it or be well-acquainted with propane, but we think we can teach you something with our top 10 propane facts.
1. Propane is Not “Natural Gas”
It’s so common that you’d think it was, but propane is actually a close cousin of natural gas and oil. It’s a gas that comes from oil wells, and it’s a form of liquefied petroleum.
Propane is classified as a fossil fuel, is extracted from natural gas, and is a non-renewable energy source.
2. Propane is Stored as a Liquid
Virtually all consumers use propane in its gas form, but it is stored in tanks as an ultra-light liquid. In fact, propane is about half the weight of liquid water.
Although it is much more compact in a pressurized liquid form, it will immediately turn to gas when the pressure is released.
This means the propane tanks you buy are actually filled with liquid!
3. Propane Isn’t Very Old
Little-known propane fact: The use of this gas in everyday life is not very old. Propane was discovered in the early twentieth century, in the year 1912. Developers for the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Mines were working on methods to store gas.
Walter O. Snelling, a highly educated man from Harvard and Yale, discovered how to safely store and pressurize the gas into liquid form.
The New York Times wrote about him, and the rest is history!
4. Propane Doesn’t Smell
Another interesting propane fact is that the colorless gas doesn’t have a smell. Before it’s bottled for home and industrial uses, propane is virtually undetectable.
Manufacturers add a pungent odor to your propane so users can smell it in case of a leak. That’s right — the rotten egg or skunk smell of propane is intentional!
The tank of propane that you buy or have delivered is not completely full of propane, then. It’s about nine percent butane, one percent odor additive, and 90 percent propane fuel.
5. Natural Gas to Propane Conversion
Some furnaces originally intended for natural gas can be converted to propane usage for homes or mobile homes.
Contact us today if you’d like to talk about how to make this big shift and how you can get your propane delivered to you in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
6. Propane Needs Air to Burn
Facts about propane aren’t all about your home. The portable gas is used in many industrial areas and in scientific research — and it needs air to breathe, too! In fact, about 23.5 cubic feet of air is needed to burn one cubic foot of propane.
Don’t think that makes the gas inefficient, though. One of our favorite propane facts is how clean-burning and environmentally friendly it is. In fact, propane is one of the simplest and lightest hydrocarbons in the world!
7. Propane Technicians are Highly Trained
You don’t need to worry about your safety when a propane technician is at your house.
Dependable delivery, installation, and repairs are a key part of what a trusted service can provide to you.
Millions of people heat their homes, cook, and warm up their water supply with propane, and it can be nerve-racking when a technician needs to repair.
But the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) banded together to create a Certified Employee Training Program (CETP). All propane delivery people, installers, and servicers must complete training through these organizations.
8. Propane Boils Cold
And we mean really cold.
The boiling point of the liquefied petroleum product — where propane turns from a liquid into a gas — is well below the freezing point of water. This makes sense for such a light and molecularly simple substance.
In Fahrenheit, liquefied propane boils and turns into vapor at -44 degrees!
9. Propane is Made in America
The U.S. Department of Energy reported that in 2014, more than 99 percent of the propane used in the United States was manufactured in North America.
A huge percentage of that was produced within our borders. Not only is propane an economical choice and clean-burning fuel, but chances are, it also doesn’t have to travel far to get to you!
If you are concerned about your carbon footprint or prefer to use American-made products, propane is a fantastic choice.
10. Propane is Safe
Of all the propane facts you’ve learned, this is probably the most important.
There’s a common misconception that propane tanks start an inordinate amount of grill, house, and mobile home fires each year. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
You have about as much chance of being injured in a propane tank explosion as you do of dying in a plane crash. The hit TV show Mythbusters set out to prove that it’s tough to explode a propane tank.
The majority of propane fires are the result of gas leaks — and the vast majority of those report no injuries or fatalities.
Regardless, it’s best to learn propane safety. Your family and your comfort can depend on it.
Propane Delivery You Can Count On
At Kauffman Gas, we’re focused on safe and effective delivery of propane to your home. It’s always good to keep learning propane facts about this interesting substance. For all your other questions, we’re here for you.
We even have a 24-hour emergency line if you have questions about your tank. Learn how to check your propane tank here, and call us for your refill!
FAQs
Is propane the same thing as natural gas?
No, propane is a distinct fossil fuel extracted during natural gas processing and petroleum refining.
While they are “cousins,” propane is more portable because it can be compressed into a liquid for storage in tanks, making it an ideal choice for homes without access to natural gas lines.
Why does my propane have a strong, unpleasant smell?
Propane is naturally colorless and odorless. The “rotten egg” or skunk-like smell you encounter is an intentional additive called mercaptan.
This safety feature ensures that you can easily detect even a small gas leak by scent alone.
How safe is it to have a large propane tank on my property?
Propane is remarkably safe. The steel tanks used for storage are twenty times more puncture-resistant than tanks used for other fuels.
Furthermore, all propane technicians must undergo rigorous training and certification through the Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) to ensure every installation and repair meets strict safety standards.