What Household Appliances Use Propane?

If you've been investigating the clean efficiency of propane, you're probably wondering what household appliances you can power with it. Other than propane burners and campsite propane stoves, what else can this gas do?

The short answer is almost anything natural gas and electricity does. Because America produces the vast majority of the propane it uses, efficient propane-powered products can be found anywhere. Still need some inspiration? Here are five household appliances propane can power indoors and outdoors.

 

1. Fireplaces

Many propane fireplaces come with thermostats and remotes that let you adjust the heat from your couch. During winter power outages, you'll have a heat source for everyone to gather around. Fueled by a refillable propane tank, these fireplaces are cleaner than traditional ones, as well. Wood-burning fireplaces can leave your living room smelling of stale smoke and covered in soot.

2. Fire Pits

The only thing better than huddling around the hearth on a cold night is relaxing by a fire in your own backyard. Because they're powered by compact tanks, propane fire pits require less preparation. When you're ready, turn on the gas and ignition source. Afterwards, just turn it off and head inside.

3. Freezers and Refrigerators

With no moving parts, propane freezers and refrigerators require a lot less maintenance than electric versions. Due to these simplified mechanics, they are also a lot quieter than their electric cousins. Like other household propane appliances, they can help you stay prepared in case of an emergency or power outage.

4. Water Heaters

According to the EPA, water heaters account for 15% of the average American household's energy use. Because propane heats water twice as fast as electricity, you can get more hot water from a smaller tank, saving you more on your monthly energy bill. In the event that your propane water heater is damaged or punctured, the gas dissipates and vaporizes instead of gathering into a hazardous, flammable pool.

5. Pools and Hot Tubs

Much like your indoor water supply, propane heaters for pools and hot tubs work quicker than electric ones. Compared to natural gas, propane is more energy-rich, resulting in needing less fuel. Even on cold days, propane heaters maintain more even temperatures.

The Well-Rounded Power of Propane

These are only five household appliances that use propane, but the list goes on and on. As the number of propane-using Americans reaches over 60 million, more products powered by the gas are entering the market including clothes dryers, lawn equipment and outdoor lighting. Whether you want to start small or move closer to energy independence with propane generators and larger power supplies, there is an efficient, reliable solution for you. What you need to make it happen is a trustworthy specialty gas supplier or propane provider near you.

Industrial Uses of Propane

 

Propane is a colorless, flammable gas that has traditionally been used domestically for a long time. It's most often used in the home to fuel gas cookers. 
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But what about the industrial uses of propane? Here's a quick look at some of the uses. 

Construction
The primary use of propane for construction is its use in heaters. These heaters are filled with a propane cylinder that will keep contractors warm while working on cold and draughty construction sites. 

You'll also find many propane generators on construction sites that work to provide electricity for the whole project. 

One of the great benefits of this industrial use for propane gas is that the cylinders are much more resistant than gasoline tanks, and as such, are much safer. 

Transport
Many vehicles now run on propane instead of gasoline, and as such, it is classified as an alternative fuel. 

A growing number of companies in the trucking industry are beginning to see the benefits of using propane for their vehicles. Propane is much better for the environment than other, more traditional fossil fuels.
 
Another benefit of the clean way propane burns is that it causes much less wear and damage to vehicle engines, leading to longer service life for industrial vehicles like trucks. 

Almost any vehicle can be converted to run on this gas. Propane forklifts have been commonplace in warehouses for a while now. They are loved for their cleanliness and cost-saving efficiency. 
 
Refrigeration
Using a flammable gas like propane for refrigeration seems counterintuitive at first, but it's a trend that's been catching on in recent years. 

Propane refrigerators work via a process of chemical reactions. A propane-fed flame boils a mixture of water and ammonia that sits inside a chamber. The gas from the boiling liquid then rises into a second chamber, where it mixes with hydrogen gas. When the ammonia and hydrogen combine, the chemical reaction ends up absorbing most of the heat, and that's how the cooling process takes place. 

You'll also find propane in some air conditioning systems. It has been marked as a substantially more environmentally friendly way of refrigerating and cooling than current methods. 

Manufacturing
Propane is used in a wide variety of different manufactured products. For example, it is used in the production of semiconductors to apply silicon carbide onto computer chips and motherboards. 

You can also find it in a wide variety of household products like hair conditioners, cleaning products, shaving cream, and makeup. It is widely used in products that require the use of an aerosol can. 

Start Using Industrial Propane
As you can see, the industrial uses for propane are plentiful. As a gas, propane can be an environmentally friendly, cost-effective solution to a wide range of industry problems. Find an industrial gas supplier near you and start using propane!