Have you ever tried to heat your home by throwing money out the window?

You wouldn’t dare, because it makes no sense! So why would you waste money on energy resources that aren’t the most effective?

Every homeowner wants to cut down on expenses, but most don’t know where to begin. Even when you stop spending money on personal things, essentials can hack your paycheck to pieces.

So what can you do? Stop showering or eating? Let’s be realistic.

One likely suspect in the murder mystery of your wallet is your electric bill. This article will introduce you to propane fuel and explain the ways it can improve your home and help you save money.

What Is Propane?

Propane, otherwise known as LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), is a fossil fuel found in the earth. It naturally occurs as a mixture of hydrocarbons. To get propane, the hydrocarbons are filtered and processed until propane is all that remains.

The result is a clean and powerful energy resource. Although propane typically costs more than alternative fuels, you get more bang for your buck. Propane is one of the most energy-efficient resources in the market.

Propane comes to you in a container as a liquid. When you put it to use, it pressurizes and turns into gas.

Propane isn’t used only in homes. Many industries and businesses have been relying on propane for decades.

How Is Propane Fuel Used?

A better question to ask is how isn’t propane used.

You can find propane running homes, cars, farms, construction sites, factories, and everything in between. If you’ve ever been on a hot air balloon, you can thank propane for the ride.

Many big businesses choose to heat their workplaces with propane because of how effective and dependable the resource is.

If you live in areas where severe weather threatens the loss of electricity, you probably have a generator that runs on propane. If you like to grill, check your gas to see if it runs on propane.

Propane is incredibly abundant, and there are so many ways you can use it in your home.

How Can I Use Propane in My Home?

Several appliances can run on propane. The most common use of propane in a house is fueling a furnace. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, almost half of your entire utility bill goes toward heating your home.

Anyone looking to cut costs by using more energy-efficient resources such as propane can significantly reduce their spending.

The second most commonly used propane-fueled item in a home is a water heater. And guess what? Heating water is the second most expensive thing on your utility bill. If you can’t stand icy showers, investing in a propane water heater is a good alternative.

Altogether, water and space heating accounts for almost two-thirds of your monthly utility expenses. Making the switch to propane is one of the smartest and easiest ways to save big.

Other ways you can use propane is with your stove and clothes dryer. Did you know that Americans spend $9 billion on drying their clothes each year? 75% of Americans still use electric dryers even though gas dryers often cost less than half the amount of money per load.

Propane Gas Vs. Natural Gas

Natural gas is the unfiltered version of propane that is found in the earth. Propane is present in natural gas, along with butane, ethane, and methane. However, the bulk of what is found in natural gas is methane.

Natural gas is a favorite resource because it is technically cheaper than propane gas. This is because there are fewer steps required to produce it.

However, what people don’t realize is that a lot of gas gets wasted. Let’s break down some figures.

A furnace running on natural gas for one hour uses roughly 97 cubic feet of gas. A furnace running on propane gas for one hour will only use 40 cubic feet of gas. That’s a big difference.

Another critical thing to note is that natural gas is greenhouse gas. Methane is one of the heaviest gases we release into the atmosphere. And while the word “natural” sounds like it would be great for the environment, natural gas is not.

Propane, on the other hand, is not classified as a greenhouse gas. If being green is part of your lifestyle, you don’t have to feel bad about using propane.

Installing Propane

Now that you know how great propane is, you’re probably wondering how it gets installed in your home. If your home isn’t already equipped to use propane, then it is an investment. However, your upfront costs will be worthwhile in the long run.

Luckily, you don’t have to worry about any part of the installation process. A professional team can decide how big of a tank you need and do all the work for you. Once the tank is installed, they will walk you through how to use it.

Most tanks are installed underground, so you don’t have to worry about space or aesthetic. Gas lines are then run from the tank to any appliance that uses propane. All you have to do is flip a switch or turn a knob to enjoy your appliances.

If you’re concerned about safety, there are many precautions put in place to ensure that your family is safe. Although highly unlikely, if there ever were a gas leak with propane, you would smell it before anyone got injured. Propane is naturally scentless, but the odor is added as a safety feature.

Want to Make the Switch?

Switching to propane fuel is one of the best things you can do for your home. On top of saving money, propane is one of the most reliable, clean energy resources.

If you’re interested in affordable propane from a family-run company, Kauffman Gas has always got you covered. If you have any questions, we’d love to speak with you; just call us at (610) 595-9704.