6 Reasons Propane Energy is a Great Investment

Propane energy is a good alternative energy source for your home, and it is also a great investment. If you’re thinking of switching to a greener energy source, propane is a great option—it’s clean, can cover your power needs, allows wonderful flexibility leading to lower costs, and is accessible, cost-effective, and safe.

Clean Energy

Although this may come as a surprise, propane is actually considered clean energy. In fact, it is one of the cleanest burning fuels out there. Compared to other fuels, propane’s greenhouse gas emissions are significantly lower. Its carbon content is much lower than fuel oil, gasoline, kerosene, and ethanol, producing 38% fewer emissions than oil. Compared to the amount of carbon emitted by standard oil-fueled furnaces each year, propane furnaces emit 10,000 pounds less. Propane does not contaminate groundwater or soil, thus protecting the planet.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), has approved propane as a clean alternative fuel thanks to its minimal emissions and high-quality performance. Using propane helps make the world cleaner and protects the environment.

Go Off the Grid

If you want to move your house off the grid, you can do so with propane. Living off the grid means living self-sufficiently, without relying on currently established institutions. It means you are not dependent on the electrical grid for your power. Many people are choosing to transition to this kind of life in order to be more independent and less reliant on fossil fuels. Others choose to live partially off the grid. While you can achieve an “off the grid” status by roughing it, you can also do so in comfort by transitioning to propane energy.

As we will discuss later on in this article, propane offers many benefits such as reliability, affordability, efficiency, and availability which make it easier to live without relying on other power sources. Propane is a great energy source for powering appliances and even heating a home, one of the biggest concerns for those moving off the grid. For those who want to leave the electrical grid behind, propane could be the way for you.

Flexibility in Providers

Using propane energy provides more flexibility in providers than traditional energy does, and, on top of that, owning your propane tank provides more flexibility as well. When you own your own propane tank, you are not tied to one propane provider. On the contrary, you can purchase your propane from anyone you like, without having to restrict your business to just one. Because of this, you can shop around and negotiate the best rate for propane, allowing you to save money.

If you choose instead to rent a tank, you cannot use any provider to refill your tank except the one who owns your tank. In this case, you are stuck with whatever rate that supplier offers, with no freedom to shop around or negotiate. Although propane tanks are expensive, you could end up paying much less for your propane if you buy your own tank. In the long run, it is likely you will save money.

Easy Access

Propane is a great energy choice because, in addition, it is readily available. Propane is a plentiful energy source which will continue to be so for a long, long time. It is created from natural components right here in the United States; in fact, 90 percent of propane used in the U.S. is locally produced. Even if you live in a remote location, propane can be transported and used anywhere (even beyond the reach of natural gas mains) due to the fact that it becomes liquid under pressure. It is also a very convenient energy source when it comes to storage—it is very portable, and you can have it delivered right to your home!

With propane energy, you don’t have to worry about whether or not the sun will be out to power your home through your solar panels, nor whether or not the wind will blow to power your home through your wind turbine. Propane can continue to power your home in rain, snow, and even a power outage. It is a reliable, easily accessible source of energy that can fuel the masses.

Cost Effective

Propane is more cost effective than traditional alternatives. Anything that can run on electricity can run on propane, and propane is both more efficient and more economical. When compared to electric heat, propane is cheaper. Propane water heaters cost one third less than electric water heaters and they recover water two times faster. Propane is also warmer, allowing a homeowner to heat his or her house faster while minimizing operating costs. Propane appliances can also last longer, such as in the case of propane furnaces when compared to electric heat pumps.

Most propane appliances pay for themselves fairly quickly. Propane gas water heaters can save their owners nearly 2,000 dollars more than an electric unit. Propane gas-burning fireplaces cost 30 to 60 percent less per hour of operation when compared to wood-burning fireplaces. Some models of propane gas clothes dryers can save their owners 65 percent in costs compared to electric dryers.

Safety

Propane is a safe energy choice, as well. The fuel is non-toxic, and cannot be spilled nor dissolved in water. Despite being stored in liquid form, it evaporates into the air. Due to propane lacking the ability to contaminate soil or groundwater, it is an energy source that is safe to use anywhere.

The method of storing propane is also very safe. Home propane tanks are 20 times more resistant to punctures than gasoline, ethanol, and methanol tanks. If a leak does occur, it is very easy to detect due to the added odorant of propane. Regularly scheduled maintenance and carbon monoxide detectors provide additional safety to households using propane energy.

Propane has the potential to protect you and the planet physically, financially, and environmentally. Because of its flexibility, safety, cost efficiency, accessibility, self-sufficiency, and eco-friendliness, propane is a great option for at-home energy and a great investment. If you are looking for a greener, cheaper, easier lifestyle, you may have found your answer.

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