Switching Your Home to Propane Gas

Here’s What You Need to Know if You’re Moving from Electricity to Propane Gas!

Looking back a few decades, it’s commonplace that many of us grew up with homes heated by either heating oil or electric heat. So, the idea of fueling a home with propane might seem odd. After all, isn’t propane for grills and camping or recreation? As the cost of oil remains unpredictable, many homeowners are looking for a domestic fuel source with less volatile prices. Others are wondering if oil is the greenest choice. And once they learn more about propane gas, most people are discovering all the benefits it has to offer!

Why Should I Choose Propane?

Propane is one of the cleanest, most versatile, and most efficient fuels around. It’s a domestically-sourced alternative fuel that can provide steady, reliable heat at an affordable price. Propane also offers exceptional performance and efficiency in a wide range of home appliances at a much lower cost than electricity.

Here are five things you may not have known about propane, and why so many customers in Southwestern Virginia are making the switch:

1. Propane is Clean—and Green: When it comes to environmental impact, propane gas is a great choice. It burns cleanly and produces minimal emissions. Propane also doesn’t harm soil or groundwater – an important factor when it comes to determining whether a fuel is “green.”

   Propane is also made in the U.S.A. Propane is an American energy source. About 90% of the United States’ supply of propane is domestically generated, most of which comes from the processing of natural gas.

2. Propane is More Efficient: Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy. Also, propane appliances are very efficient as well, so they waste very little fuel in the combustion process. On the other hand, about two-thirds of the energy used by a power plant to generate and transmit electricity is wasted.

   In other words, propane can offer more bang for your buck, all while protecting the environment. It’s a win-win for customers who care about the environment but also want to keep costs under control!

3. Propane is Versatile: Because propane is so efficient, it’s a smarter choice than electricity for a wide variety of appliances, in addition to heating your home. For example, propane water heaters generate much more hot water at a cheaper cost per gallon. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes that heat water with propane rather than electricity can see average annual savings of $174.

   The same technology that makes propane ideal for water heaters makes it a smarter choice than electricity to power all kinds of appliances that use hot water or heat:

   • Clothes washers and dryers
   • Dishwashers
   • Outdoor lighting
   • Patio heaters
   • Pool and spa-tub heaters
   • Outdoor grills
4. Propane is Low Maintenance: Unlike heating oil, which is, well, oily, propane is a gas that doesn’t leave residue. As a result, propane equipment is easier to maintain. There’s less wear and tear, so equipment lasts longer and has fewer breakdowns.

   Similarly, oil leaks are extremely messy and expensive to clean up. While oil and gas are both potentially flammable in the event of a leak, oil leaks are extremely messy and very costly to clean up. That’s why many insurance companies offer a lower rate to customers who switch from oil to propane fuel for their furnaces.

5. Propane for Peace of Mind: When storms knock out power, a propane-fueled backup generator will keep your lights and everything else running until the utility companies can make repairs. In addition, a gas stove will continue to work during a power outage. Now that’s convenient.

Whether you’re ready to make the switch, or have more questions, the professionals at Southwest Virginia Gas Service have the knowledge, experience, and resources to answer all your questions about the benefits of a propane-heated home. And we can get you started with the right size propane tank for your needs, reliable propane delivery and more! Contact us for more information today.