Home Heating with Propane

What is Propane?
Propane, also known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LP or LPG) is a non-toxic, colorless gas used for home and industrial fuel.
What we call propane is actually a combination of propane and butane. Propane is naturally odorless, but manufacturers add a strong (and quite stinky) smell so that gas leaks can be detected easily.
With only moderate pressure, propane condenses to a liquid, allowing for easier transport and dispensing.

Propane — the “clean” heating fuel
Propane is considered and environmentally friendly gas. It is not toxic to the environment, and can therefore be stored safely underground. In addition, propane produces much less “greenhouse” gas, 68% less than electricity. For these reasons, propane is approved as a “clean” fuel by the US Government. There may even be tax incentives for using propane.
Over 90% of the propane used in the United States is produced domestically.

What can I use Propane for?
There are many home appliances that are made for propane. Home furnaces, space heaters, water boilers and power generators are available for propane fuel (in addition to your barbeque grill). Furthermore, many natural gas appliances can be modified to use propane fuel.

Advantages
There are many advantages to using propane over other types of heating fuels

• As mentioned, propane is a clean fuel and non-toxic to the environment. It can be stored in a underground tank for up to 40 years.
• Propane combustion is generally 10-20% more efficient than oil. That means much more of your propane is being converted to usable heat.
• In addition, propane generally produces less carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases than oil, or wood burning.
• Propane appliances are generally smaller and quieter than oil fuel appliances, and usually more efficient.
• Propane heaters generally produce hotter air than electric heaters.
• Since propane can be stored in a liquid form, it is easy to transport and can be stored in a smaller space.
• If you live in a remote area you may not be able to connect to a natural gas grid. But you can easily store propane cylinders in your home.
• Propane use has grown dramatically in recent years. Today, there are over 25000 retail distributors.
• It is easy to get a propane cylinder and many retail stores offer a cylinder exchange program.

Problems

• The main issue with propane is its cost. Propane is one of the most expensive of all home heating fuels.
• Propane ranges from the same to double the price of oil.
• Propane combustion produces water vapor. If properly vented this is not a problem. But without proper ventilation the extra water vapor can cause mold and rotting.
• Propane combustion also may produce small amounts of nitrogen-oxides which can cause lung-irritation. This can also be solved with proper ventilation.

How can I get a Propane Cylinder?
You can arrange with a propane delivery service to delivery propane cylinders to your home.
There are many locations where you can refill your propane cylinder yourself.
In addition, many retail stores such as WalMart, Home Depot, CVS and even U-Haul offer a cylinder exchange program. You drop off your old, empty cylinder and get a new, full one for around $20 (for 15 pounds).

Can I use a propane heater without venting?
There are those that claim certain propane heaters can be used inside the house without any ventilation. Due to propane’s very efficient combustion, almost no carbon monoxide is produced.
We do not recommend using any combustion device indoors without ventilation.
As appliances age, they become less efficient and may produce more Carbon Monoxide. In addition, other gases such as nitrogen-oxide may be produced, which is a lung-irritant.
This is not something you want to experiment with!
On the other hand, propane heaters can be vented very easily. At the very least, keep a window 1-2 inches open. Keeping two windows cracked open on opposite sides of the room is even better!