Congratulations – you’ve just bought a home! But just because you found a property, finished all the hefty paperwork, and have started packing you’re far from done. There are still many questions that need to be answered, including questions about your new home’s propane heating system.
The basics of heating with propane
Using propane to heat your home is a cost-effective and highly efficient option as it can reduce both energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Propane can be used with a furnace or a boiler, central or zone heating and it’s quite versatile. You can use it to power a long list of household items including pools, spa heaters, water heaters, dryers, grills, fireplaces, and stoves.
The benefits of a propane-heated home are many.
As mentioned above, it is very versatile – numerous appliances can be powered with propane.
Propane generates much more Btu’s than an equivalent amount of electricity, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat energy.
It’s highly efficient. In fact, its efficiency level can get up to about 90%. Because it works so efficiently and quickly, your heating system isn’t working as hard to warm your house, which adds up in financial savings.
It’s safe. Propane has a remarkable safety record, due in large part to the stringent codes and regulations developed by the propane industry and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
It’s reliable. If a power outage hits your area, you won’t miss a beat if you’re using propane.
Propane is nontoxic, produces minimal emissions and is not harmful to soil or water.
A system powered by propane will last longer than a system not powered by propane and it requires less service and maintenance.
If you are buying a home with propane heat here’s what you need to know:
Is the tank a rental? Monthly fees can sometimes come along with a rental propane tank, but on the other hand, the propane company typically covers repair and maintenance costs when it comes to a rental.
Is the system operating efficiently? If the propane system is on the older side it may not be operating at peak efficiency. It’s a good idea to have a professional evaluate any system that is 10 years old or older.
What else in the home is powered with propane? The answer to this question will help you estimate how much you’ll be spending on your monthly bills. If propane is used for stoves, fireplaces, pools or dryers, costs will go up.
Where is the propane tank located and how big is it? You may not want a propane tank sitting in your yard so it’s important to find out exactly where your new home’s propane tank is located. Additionally, a tank’s size helps to determine how often you’ll need to fill it up. A larger tank doesn’t require as many refills.
What is the tank’s maintenance history? If the soon to be former owner of your new home owns the home’s propane tank, he/she should have records of when the propane tank was last serviced and it’s a good idea for you to review those records. If there was no recent maintenance on the system, consider scheduling a professional for servicing.
Murray-Heutz is here to answer all your questions about your propane-heated Maine home. We also offer Tank Utility, a propane tank monitoring system that eliminates your risk of running out of propane. Contact us today to learn more!
Congratulations – you’ve just bought a home! But just because you found a property, finished all the hefty paperwork, and have started packing you’re far from done. There are still many questions that need to be answered, including questions about your new home’s propane heating system.