When used as a home energy source, propane gas fuels a variety of systems and products. It offers homeowners reliability, cleanliness, improved performance.

Warm and Cozy

Approximately 8.1 million households use propane gas to fuel their home-heating systems.
Furnaces
• A propane furnace consistently supplies air at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Electric heat pumps dispense 95-degree air, which is less than body temperature (98.6 degrees), so the air feels cool, not warm.
• Propane gas furnaces last an average of 20 years, while electric heat pumps last an average of 12 years. The cost of repairing propane gas furnaces is also lower than the cost of repairing electric heaters.
Space Heaters
• Vent-free propane-fueled space heaters are 99.9 percent efficient and include oxygen depletion sensors that automatically turn units off if oxygen levels drop below specified levels. They can also include thermostats and heat distribution blowers.
• Propane-fueled space heaters produce fewer air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions than those fueled by fuel oil and electricity. In fact, the energy used to power electric heaters produces emissions two to four times higher than the energy produced to power propane heaters.

Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold, Just Right

• Propane gas water heaters cost approximately $10 less per month to operate than comparable electric units. On average, propane water heaters are 42 percent less expensive than electric heaters.
• Over an average life span, propane gas water heaters can save homeowners nearly $2,000 more than an electric unit.
• Propane gas water heaters heat more than twice as much water in an hour as a comparable electric model.

Relax by the Fireplace

• Sales of gas-burning fireplace units are increasing. In fact, some propane marketers report that nearly one-third of their new customers are coming to them specifically for propane hearth products.
• Propane gas fireplace systems cost between 30 and 60 percent less per hour of operation than wood burning fireplaces.
• Propane gas fireplaces emit 40 times fewer emissions than wood-burning units and cost less to operate.
• Propane gas fireplaces can be turned off easily with a switch, eliminating concern about remaining embers.

Now We're Cookin'

• Propane-fueled cook tops offer instant heat and absolute temperature control.
• Ninety-seven percent of professional chefs prefer cooking with gas.
• Unlike electricity-powered appliances, propane appliances are not affected by power outages. Homeowners can continue to enjoy cooking meals in warm homes.

Tumblin' Dry

• Propane-fueled dryers can complete drying tasks in approximately three-quarters of the time it takes an electric unit. Some models save up to 65 percent in costs over electric dryers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is propane safe to use in my home?

Propane is a safe fuel to use in your home and business. Propane has a narrow range of flammability and cannot be ingested like gasoline or alcohol fuels because it is released as a vapor from a pressured container. In addition, award-winning preventive maintenance programs like GAS Check® (Gas Appliance System Check) ensure that homeowners understand how to properly maintain their propane appliances and enjoy a healthy, safe environment.

Why would I choose propane over electricity for my appliances and for heating my home?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it could cost up to twice as much to operate your range, water heater, dryer or furnace with electricity than with propane gas. Propane gas furnaces and heaters provide more consistent warm air throughout your home at a lower cost than electric heat pumps and have a longer average life span of 20 years, compared with electric heat pumps’ 12-year average life span.

Is propane dangerous to the environment?

No. Propane is an approved, alternative clean fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act and the National Energy Policy Act of 1992. Propane is one of the cleanest burning of all alternative fuels; new propane-fueled vehicles can meet the very tough Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards, and one model even meets the Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standards. Propane is also nontoxic, so it’s not harmful to soil or water.

How can I be sure I’m handling the use of propane gas properly in my home?

NPGA has developed a comprehensive maintenance program called GAS Check® (Gas Appliance System Check), in which trained technicians inspect propane systems and appliances in homes to ensure they are running safely and efficiently. The program also educates homeowners on the proper maintenance of propane appliances and how to handle propane safely.

Is propane really a convenient fuel?

Yes. Propane is stored in portable tanks, so it can be used in areas beyond the natural gas mains. When used in vehicles, propane is also easily replenished and refuels at 10 gallons to 12 gallons per minute, similar to gasoline. More than 10,000 propane refueling sites are available across the country.

Who uses propane?

Propane is a trusted and reliable energy source that is used by millions of Americans each day. It fulfills energy needs by burning cleanly and efficiently, giving consumers more value for their energy dollar. People use propane in or outside their homes for furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, outdoor grills and appliances; on farms; for industrial uses such as forklifts and fleet vehicles; and in millions of commercial establishments, including restaurants and hotels that depend on propane for heating, cooking and other uses.