These days, electricity appears to be the energy of choice. But in reality, liquid fuel is also a big player in the energy industry. In fact, the industry for fuel dealers in the United States alone is worth more than $36 billion every single year. There are more than 10,000 separate businesses providing fuel to people around the country. They include suppliers for oil and propane for heating and other uses.
In the Greater Boston area, homeowners usually use either propane gas or heating oil furnaces and boilers to heat their houses. Both propane and oil have proved to be effective in keeping homes warm, and are generally better than electricity-based heating systems. But there are many advantages of using propane rather than oil.
Propane Gas Provides Increased Efficiency and Lower Heating Bills
The better efficiency of propane gas is one of the main reasons that Greater Boston residents prefer it to oil. While propane-burning equipment often costs more to purchase than heating oil-based systems, it is less costly to maintain. This is because oil furnaces need to be frequently cleaned professionally, and oil tank leaks, which are not uncommon, are expensive to clean up. The cost for repairs and maintenance services tends to add up. Propane boilers, on the other hand, are more energy efficient. Because propane burns clean, propane heating equipment requires less maintenance and last longer than heating oil-based equipment.
Moreover, propane usually costs less per gallon than heating oil (although oil generates more BTU than propane per gallon). Propane tanks can be much bigger than heating oil tanks. That means fewer deliveries, and you can also “stock up” when prices are favorable. Both contribute to lower heating bills.
On top of that, propane can be used to power household appliances such as ranges, water heaters and clothes dryers, more efficiently than electricity.
Overall, you can expect to save on energy bills when you use propane!
Propane Gas is Better for the Environment
Propane is not only good for your energy bill, it is also better for the environment. Propane burns more cleanly than oil does. It does not produce much carbon dioxide. Propane has been approved as a “clean fuel” by the US Government.
Propane is not toxic. Even if you have a leak in your propane tank, it doesn’t contaminate groundwater or soil. That also means you can safely bury propane tanks out of sight – an added bonus.
Another advantage of propane gas is that propane boilers and furnaces can be vented from a PVC pipe through the roof or a wall. No need to clean and maintain dirty chimneys!
When you use propane gas, you help to save the environment.
So when it’s time to replace an older heating system – or to install one in a newly-built house – don’t just stay with oil simply because it is what you are used to. You should consider using propane, a clean fuel that costs you less money.
