What Uses the Most Propane in a House?

What kind of dangers is possible with propane delivery? 

Propane gas is one of the safest forms of energy we have available today, it does pose some danger during and after your propane delivery. Some of those dangers include: 

• Storage of propane in large quantities in an outdoor storage tank close to a residence.
• Testing is required after a periodic shutdown or tank runs out of propane. (always check the gauge and order before your tank empties).
• Regulator dysfunctions due to aging, corrosion, damage, or freezing, can cause unsafe pressure inside the tank. 

Are the environmental impacts of propane? 

If the environment is a major concern for you, rest assured that having propane delivered to your home or business won’t be impacting it.  Propane gas is an environmentally friendly power source that does emit carbon dioxide at a low level, is a clean burning fuel compared to diesel or gas, and doesn’t emit wastes like methane, nitro oxides, or sulfur dioxide.

Is propane gas harmful to humans? 

Propane gas vapors are not toxic, however, it is an asphyxiating gas which means they will take up the space in your lungs that oxygen usually fills. When this happens, the person(s) affected will notice difficulty breathing when in a confined space. Since propane gas quickly absorbs the skin’s heat which can result in severe burns.

What are the benefits of using propane?

The first benefit of taking propane delivery to your home or business is knowing that it is 100% domestically produced. There isn’t any concern with other countries closing or opening pipelines when it comes to propane. Other benefits of propane include: 

• Infrastructure & Vehicle Availability

Today, there is a wide selection of medium-duty and heavy-duty propane vehicles available through select dealerships. There are also light-duty and medium-duty vehicles with engines that are designed for propane use. They are prepped to handle higher temperatures and lower pruriency of propane. 

• Fuel Economy & Performance

Propane delivery to primary infrastructure sites has a lower cost in fuel needs. The BTU of propane is lower than gas per gallon, making propane the better choice for fuel economy.

• Environmentally & Public Health

When comparing propane to conventional diesel and gasoline, there are fewer harmful pollutants in propane. 

How is propane regulated?

The Department of Transportation oversees all matters concerned with propane delivery in coordination with PHMSA (Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration), and FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). These three federal organizations regulate propane transportation and propane delivery. In addition, DOT and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) together oversee employee training and design and implement all emergency procedures.

Additionally, propane tanks, for commercial or residential use, must be inspected and re-certified every ten years. If the tank is privately owned, as many homeowners in the country choose to use, the propane delivery company is responsible for the inspection and re-certification. 

How is propane better than natural gas? 

Propane has a higher BTU value than natural gas, and it is also higher in cubic feet cost-wise. However, because propane burns cleaner and hotter than natural gas, it heats up quicker, which results in using less of it. When comparing dollar for dollar of a propane delivery, per gallon, it comes out cheaper.