Propane Questions and Answers
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.
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