5 Common Myths About Propane

Propane is one of the most efficient, eco-friendly ways to power your Maine home – yet many people still think of it simply as the stuff in the white can under your grill. Here are some common myths about propane – and the truth behind them.

Myth #1: Propane can only be used for barbecues and camp stoves

Fact: You can use propane to power just about any type of home comfort equipment, including your:

• Furnace or boiler
• Water heater
• Clothes dryer
• Fireplace, pot bellied stove, or fireplace insert
• Cooking range
• Patio heater
• Spa or pool heater
• Outdoor fire pit
• Outdoor gas lights
• Outdoor kitchen grill

Because it burns so hot and clean, propane will usually power these appliances more efficiently and with better performance than other energy sources – especially electricity. And remember, all of these appliances can be supplied with gas from a single, refillable tank – which means no more running to your local hardware store for a propane tank exchange.

Myth #2: Propane is Unsafe

Fact: Propane is as safe to use as any home energy source – in fact, because the propane industry is so heavily regulated by federal, state, and local laws and codes, it may be safer than most other forms of energy for use in the home.

Consider these propane safety facts:

• Most propane equipment shuts off automatically if a problem develops.
• Because of its rotten egg smell, a propane leak is easy to detect; if a propane leak does occur, the gas simply vaporizes, leaving no mess or cleanup.
• Carbon steel propane tanks are 20 times more puncture resistant than tanks filled with ethanol, methanol or gasoline.
• Propane cylinders are equipped with a device that cuts off the filling process when the tank reaches 80 percent of its liquid capacity – a safety measure designed to allow propane gas to expand harmlessly when a tank is in a hot environment (outside in the sun, for example).
• Propane has the lowest flammability rating of any alternative fuel.

Myth #3: Propane is expensive

Fact: Propane’s price is consistently lower than that of heating oil – sometimes significantly so. In fact, when you consider total cost of ownership of propane equipment, propane is one of the most cost effective energy choices around. Propane heats fast and effectively with little waste, with many propane appliances reaching efficiencies of 98 percent. And because propane is clean burning, investing in propane equipment saves you money by requiring less maintenance and having a longer operating life.

Myth #4: Propane is bad for the environment

Fact: Propane is one of the lightest, simplest hydrocarbons in existence; as a result, is one of the cleanest burning of all alternative fuels. Burning it produces less than half the carbon emitted by heating oil combustion, and less than electricity when it is produced by coal-fired generation plants. And because it is not toxic and does not pool, propane cannot contaminate water or soil in the event of a leak.

Myth #5: Propane isn’t always available

Fact: Propane is available in abundance in the U.S., and most of the supply is produced right here at home. Because it is a byproduct of the petroleum refinement process, the means to produce and distribute propane are already available without the need for additional investments of time and money.

Time for a new home heating system, and not sure whether to choose propane or heating oil? We can help. Contact us today to learn more or get a FREE, no obligation estimate on a propane conversion for your Maine home.