How to Understand Propane Usage for Your Household
Did you know propane powers more than 10% of homes in the US?
Most people think that propane use is only for heating the home. While it’s true that propane can provide heat to the home as well as heat water, propane can do much more. It can be used to power many electrical appliances such as dryers and stoves as well as fireplaces and backup power generators and pool heaters.
It’s an extremely versatile full source. Those looking to buy a new home or construct their own should consider propane as a heat and power source.
For those who already have a propane tank but don’t fully understand what it’s used for and how to measure propane use, we are here to help. This article will explain the benefits of propane and help you understand propane household use.
What Is Propane?
It’s helpful to understand what propane actually is before digging into the details. Propane is petroleum gas compressed and stored for use as a liquid. It originates as a byproduct of natural gas production.
Using propane is a cleaner alternative to other fuel sources such as gasoline, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It is listed as a clean fuel in the 1990 Clean Air Act. Propane is safe, odorless, and nontoxic. Using propane at home is a step towards a healthier planet.
Why Do Only Some Houses Use Propane?
Propane is used largely in rural areas. For difficult to access homes and regions, it may be impossible or highly impractical for utility companies to install conventional gas and power supply.
Rather than running power and gas lines long distances, a propane tank that is regularly filled by a propane company can be installed on a property. This may be the only cost-effective way to heat your home.
But rural areas are not the only place you can use propane. You can install a propane tank virtually anywhere, such as in the city or suburban neighborhoods. It can be a much more affordable fuel source than traditional utilities.
What Is Propane Used For?
Propane has mostly been used for space heating and water heating. However, recent technological advancements make it possible to use propane to power much more in your home.
If you live in an area with severe weather where power outages aren’t uncommon, having propane is very helpful. In the case of a blackout, you can switch over to a propane powered-generator immediately.
Propane can power many of your appliances. It can also be used for a gas-powered stove, which is cheaper than installing a natural-gas burning stove.
And propane is not only intended for residential use. You can use propane to power your business as well.
The Cost of Propane Use
Propane typically costs between $2.00 and $5.00 per gallon in Long Island, depending on the time of year, tank size, and whether or not you own your tank. In the fall and winter, the cost typically rises due to an increase in demand to heat homes.
Homes using propane for only a stove or fireplace will need a minimum of a 57-gallon tank. Homes that power most or all of their house with propane will usually have a 500, 1,000, or 1,500-gallon tank.
When a tank is refilled by a propane delivery service provider, they will only fill your tank up to 80% capacity, as per industry safety standards, since gas expands. So for a 1,000-gallon tank, a refill will be about 800 gallons. At $2.25 per gallon, it would cost around $1,500, plus a nominal delivery fee, to fill the propane tank.
How Much Propane Do You Use?
Propane is a more efficient fuel source than electricity which makes it cheaper than electricity most of the time. So how much do you actually use? And how long will a full tank last?
It depends on what you use propane for and how much propane each appliance uses. Propane uses 91,500 BTU’s per gallon.
A typical propane stove might use about 65,000 BTU’s per hour of use. This would make the estimated monthly usage 2 – 5 gallons of propane per month or $10 to $20 per month.
A propane clothes dryer will use about 35,000 BTU’s per hour of use. Using it for 3 hours per week, or 12 hours per month would use 420,000 BTU’s, or 4.5 gallons of propane. This would be about $9 dollars a month.
The average cost to power a furnace is $208 per month, while the average cost to heat water is $52 per month. Wondering how to tell how much propane you’ve used? You can install and use a propane monitor that sends your propane usage to your smartphone. Use it to easily track your propane usage and ensure you never run out. Tracking your propane use with a monitor makes it easy to estimate ongoing propane costs and how much you should buy in advance.
How to Save Money on Propane
In general, using propane to heat and power your home will likely save you money over traditional utilities. However, you can save even more on your propane cost. You can always upgrade your appliances to newer, more efficient models that require less energy use.
Additionally, you can pre purchase propane when prices are low. In the summer, when demand is lower, the price of propane will drop. You can estimate how much you will use in the cooler months and prebuy from your propane supplier to lock in that lower price.
It’s also important to have a properly sized propane for your home. If your tank is too small, you’ll need more refills. You’ll usually pay delivery fees each time your tank is filled. Fewer fills per year in a larger tank means fewer fees.
Switch & Save up to 30% on Propane
Propane Depot is Long Island’s top rated family owned propane company offering propane delivery and tank installation complete with 24/7 service. Plus you’ll never run out of propane again with our smart propane tank monitors.
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