FAQs about
Propane
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.
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.
Source: NPGA / Propane Education & Research Council