Propane
is a hydrocarbon (C3H8) and is
sometimes referred to as liquefied petroleum gas,
LP-gas or LPG. Propane is produced from both
natural gas processing and crude oil refining, in
roughly equal amounts. It is nontoxic, colorless
and virtually odorless. As with natural gas, a
strong identifying odor is added so the gas can be
readily detected.
Liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) consists mainly of propane,
propylene, butane, and butylene in various mixtures.
However, for all fuels in the United States, the
mixture is mainly propane. The components of LPG are
gases at normal temperatures and pressures.
Chemical
Properties: LPG, like natural gas and unlike
gasoline, is a simple mixture of hydrocarbons,
mainly propane/propylene (C3S) and butane/butylene
(C4S).
Propane,
like all home heating fuels, is crucially important
during cold winter months. For more information
regarding propane prices and supplies and how they
relate to you, please click
here.
Propane
is a safe fuel to use in your home and business.
Propane has a narrow range of flammability and
cannot be ingested like gasoline or alcohol fuels
because it is released as a vapor from a pressurized
container. In addition, award-winning preventive
maintenance programs like GAS Check (Gas Appliance
System Check) ensure that homeowners understand how
to properly maintain their propane appliances and
enjoy a healthy, safe environment.
Propane
tanks should be stored outside. Do not store any
propane tanks in the garage or any other indoor
areas at any time, even during the winter months. As
for excessive heat, propane tanks should only be
filled to 80 percent of the tank's capacity. This is
to allow for some liquid propane expansion that
might occur during hot days.
While the
factors that contribute to higher fuel prices cannot
be controlled by propane retailers or consumers,
there are some simple steps customers can take to
lower their energy bill year-round.
The industry encourages homeowners to save on energy
costs by following this three-step energy plan:
-
Explore fuel payment plan options to spread your
projected annual costs over many months,
balancing the costs of seasonally higher bills.
Many propane companies offer a “fixed-price”
option, and can “lock-in” a price. Call your
propane retailer to see if such an option is
available.
-
Set
up a regular delivery schedule with your
retailer. Consider filling your tank before the
start of the heating season rather than waiting
until it is empty.
-
The
federal government is offering a tax credit of
up to $500 for qualifying energy-saving
improvements made during the 2006 and 2007
calendar years. Credits are available for many
home improvements including high-efficiency
heating and cooling equipment such as propane
water heaters and furnaces. For more information
visit
www.energytaxincentives.org.
Customers
can also lower their overall energy bills by making
a few small changes in the home:
-
Protect against drafts by caulking and
weather-stripping around windows, doors, and
other openings such as ducts, fans, and vents.
-
Inspect and tune-up your residential heating
system regularly for efficiency. Contact your
local propane retailer to inquire about a home
heating system inspection. A properly working
heating system is more efficient and will save
you money.
-
Change your furnace filter monthly. Clean
filters will help your heating system work more
efficiently. If on a monthly payment plan, use
receipt of your propane bill as a reminder.
-
Invest in a furnace thermostat timer that can
save money by lowering your home’s temperature
when you are not at home. You can cut annual
heating bills by as much as 10 percent per year
by turning your thermostat back 10-15 percent
for eight hours per day.
-
Switch to a propane water heater, which provides
significant energy efficiency over an electric
water heater. Over time, propane water heaters
can cost one-third less to operate and recover
hot water twice as quickly as electric water
heaters.
-
When
using a water heater, turn it down from the
standard 140 degrees to 130 degrees. You could
save more than 10 percent on your water-heating
bill.
-
Increase your water heater’s efficiency by
draining it every six months to remove lime
deposits and sediment.
-
Install flow-restricting showerheads. You can
reduce hot water usage by up to 50 percent
without affecting shower pressure.
-
Run
washing machines --and clothes dryers-- with a
full load.
-
Close
vents and doors in unused rooms. Make sure your
attic and basement are properly insulated.
-
Turn
down your water heater from the standard 140
degrees to 130 degrees. You could save more than
10 percent on your water-heating bill.
-
Increase your water heater's efficiency by
draining it every six months to remove lime
deposits and sediment.
-
Install flow-restricting showerheads. You can
reduce hot water usage by up to 50 percent
without affecting shower pressure.
-
Repair leaky faucets to prevent waste. A leak
that fills a coffee cup in 10 minutes wastes
3,200 gallons of water a year.
-
Run
washing machines and clothes dryers with a full
load.
When
purchasing a propane oven or range:
-
Look
for one with an automatic, electric ignition
system. An electric ignition saves
propane-because a pilot light is not burning
continuously.
-
Be
sure that all burners are burning with a blue,
cone-shaped flame. A yellow flame indicates
clogged air inlets or burners that need
adjustment. Contact a propane retailer's service
department immediately if you do not see a blue
flame.
-
Keep
range-top burners and reflectors clean; they
will reflect the heat better, and you will save
energy.
Please
click
here to learn about Vent-Free Gas Products and
the Vent-Free Gas Products Alliance. Please click
here to view the consumer guide to vent-free gas
products.
The
Hearth,
Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) is an
international trade association first established in
1980 to represent and promote the interests of the
hearth products industry in North America.
10.
Where can I find information on gas appliance
manufacturers?
GAMA, the
Gas Appliance
Manufacturers Association, is a national trade
association whose members manufacture appliances,
components and related products used in connection
with space heating, water heating and commercial
food service.
Please
click
here to read the safe grilling tips.
The U.S.
Department of Energy sponsors a weatherization
assistance program to help eligible households
permanently reduce their energy bills by making
their homes more energy efficient. Application
information is available on the Internet at
www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/apply.html
Please
visit the
Energy Savings Calculator to compare propane to
electricity. Additionally, the
Department of Energy provides information on
various heating fuels. |
