These 8 Home Appliances Commonly Use Propane

Many people think of propane for grilling. But what other appliances run on propane? You can find a wide range of appliances that run exclusively on propane. Many people discover that switching to propane for as many tasks as possible helps them cut down their energy bills. In this post, we’ll introduce a number of propane appliances – from the common to the unusual! You’ll also learn just how much propane each one might use.

Some of the most common include:

Propane Hot Water Heaters – 500 Gallons and Up Per Year

Hot water heaters are the biggest single energy consumers in most homes, accounting for about 25% of total usage. Propane hot water heaters stand out for rapid water heating, consistent delivery of expected temperatures, and the option to pursue a compact tankless model.

Propane Clothes Dryers – 15-25 Gallons Per Year

The average clothes dryer is responsible for about 6% of total energy usage. A propane-based dryer can be a good bet if you have many propane appliances at home and can enjoy a lower cost per gallon. Our previous post on propane clothes dryers has more details.

Pool Heater – About 4 Gallons Per Hour

The total propane usage for your pool heater will depend a great deal on your swimming habits, the size of the unit, and the capacity of the pool. Naturally, it’ll take more gas to heat a larger pool and longer to heat in the evening and during cold weather.

Propane Fire Pits – One Gallon Every Three Hours

Most outdoor fire pits are comparable to a propane grill or other cooking device of a similar size. They generally come with an hourly BTU rating you can use to estimate propane usage: A gallon of propane is equivalent to 91,500 BTUs.

Propane Cooktops and Stoves – Around 180 Gallons Per Year Total

120 gallons is a good general estimate for an average cooktop with moderately-sized burners. The stove can be expected to contribute 60 gallons of usage over the course of a year. Add about 15 gallons for each person in the household.

Propane Fireplaces – One Gallon Every Three Hours

Assuming you use ceramic logs, expect to spend about a gallon of propane every three hours. The logs aren’t purely decorative: They contribute to thermal inertia, continuing to radiate heat for a while after the propane flow is turned off.

HVAC Furnace – Approximately a Gallon Per Hour

Your HVAC furnace has the potential to become your home’s major propane consumer in winter months. Before the cold weather sets in, it’s a good idea to have your HVAC system serviced by professionals so it will run at the most efficient levels.

Bonus: True or False

True or False: Your Refrigerator Uses Propane Gas?

Sometimes True!: Most homes use electricity for their refrigerator. But propane-fueled refrigerators and freezers are popular with campers and off-grid living. Propane refigerators use 200-300 gallons per year.

True or False: Your Air Conditioner Uses Propane Gas?

False! Many of our propane customers ask this question – especially at the beginning of the summer months. But central air conditioning units run on electricity, not propane. Propane can power a refrigerator, as we’ll see – but, right now, there’s no such thing as a propane AC. At least one model is rumored to have been made in the U.S., but it’s no longer in production.

Converting to Propane is Worth It in the Long Run

Propane is very efficient and can be much cheaper than oil or electric. It also offers you many of the advantages that you probably associate with electric: It burns clean, is highly safe, and produces few maintenance issues on its own. That being the case, many people are interested in converting to propane. Depending on your situation, the savings from using a large propane appliance – such as a furnace – can pay for the cost of a new installation in as little as a year. Research has shown that propane offers clear savings:

• Propane furnaces are less expensive to install and to operate than oil furnaces are.
• Owners of a high-efficiency propane furnace can save more than $1,000 per year.
• Even something smaller, like propane fire pits, benefit from propane’s efficiency.

Whether you’re looking at propane fire pits, heating systems, dryers, or anything else, odds are good you can find a money-saving device that will meet your needs. That’s why more and more Pennsylvanians are turning to propane!