As some of you may know, we just bought our first home. Our builder has built several homes in the neighborhood. Some full electric and some propane... ours being propane. The hot water and heating are supported by propane. Stove, dryer, ect are full electric. What are your opinions or experiences with propane? Is it somehow more efficient than electricity or more cost effective. I'm just trying to figure why propane would be used opposed to just full electric. Propane prices average between $150 - $2.59 a gallon. This kind of concerns me having dealt soley with electricity before. Any commments suggestions...
Why propane?
- Thread starter Jake11375
- Start date
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Generally speaking, electricity is more expensive to use for heating applications. I guess this has to do with having to "burn" the energy at the power plant, and transmit it to your house (transmission losses, etc.). With gas (natural or propane), you are only converting it to heat at the time of use, where as the electric (assuming fossil, not nuclear or hydro, or even wind/solar/geothermal), you burn the fuel and create heat which drives the electric generation process, incurring losses, then send it to your house.
Some people prefer gas for cooking because they can vary the temperature faster (electric elements cool off more slowly than turning the gas down, and usually can't put heat in as fast as a flame).
Propane, like oil, can be a pain (compared to nat. gas/electricity) because you have to worry about filling a tank and running out, not to mention that they can interfere with your landscaping/septic plans. Experiences? My sister lives in a rural area, and her propane is fine...except they did some clearing in their back yard, and wound up moving the propane tank to the other side of the house rather than use it as a lawn ornament (it had been nestled in some trees that they removed). I used to work with a guy who also lived in a rural area and had full electric...and used to moan to me all the time about his electric bills.
Some people prefer gas for cooking because they can vary the temperature faster (electric elements cool off more slowly than turning the gas down, and usually can't put heat in as fast as a flame).
Propane, like oil, can be a pain (compared to nat. gas/electricity) because you have to worry about filling a tank and running out, not to mention that they can interfere with your landscaping/septic plans. Experiences? My sister lives in a rural area, and her propane is fine...except they did some clearing in their back yard, and wound up moving the propane tank to the other side of the house rather than use it as a lawn ornament (it had been nestled in some trees that they removed). I used to work with a guy who also lived in a rural area and had full electric...and used to moan to me all the time about his electric bills.
imported_Aurora40
New member
Propane is like natural gas for people who don't have natural gas running to them. The heat is better, ovens pre-heat faster, water boils quicker, etc. You have all those benefits like you would with natural gas.
As said, there are downsides, though. One is having to have the tank filled. And having that tank in your yard. Also, as a safety note, propane is heavier than air, natural gas is not. This means a natural gas leak will naturally try to dissipate itself, while propane will pool on the ground. Obviously both leaks can be catastrophic, but propane can be more easily, so you might want to get one of those gas-leak detectors (they are like CO detectors) to be safe.
As said, there are downsides, though. One is having to have the tank filled. And having that tank in your yard. Also, as a safety note, propane is heavier than air, natural gas is not. This means a natural gas leak will naturally try to dissipate itself, while propane will pool on the ground. Obviously both leaks can be catastrophic, but propane can be more easily, so you might want to get one of those gas-leak detectors (they are like CO detectors) to be safe.
Thanks for the replies fellas. Aurora, I'll definitely want to get a leak detector for the propane system. Thanks for the tip.
I've been reading horror stories on the net of high gas bills and comparisons between natural gas, propane, and electric. I just wanted some of your opinions to settle my spirit. It seems electric has been generally $300 a year cheaper than propane. Natural gas usually runs about $100-$150 higher than propane. (annually) I just wonder how much cheaper the electric is going to be not having to heat the home or water, especially in the winter months. Not sure if the studies I read took this into account. :hm
I've been reading horror stories on the net of high gas bills and comparisons between natural gas, propane, and electric. I just wanted some of your opinions to settle my spirit. It seems electric has been generally $300 a year cheaper than propane. Natural gas usually runs about $100-$150 higher than propane. (annually) I just wonder how much cheaper the electric is going to be not having to heat the home or water, especially in the winter months. Not sure if the studies I read took this into account. :hm
DaGonz
Autopia fire/rescue.
You should be able get a volume discount with your propane supplier or set up a budget plan.
If yo do smell propane in the house.. get everyone out and call the Fire Department from the neighbors. In addition to being heavier than air, propane also has a rapid burnback that in the right concentration can be highly explosive.
If yo do smell propane in the house.. get everyone out and call the Fire Department from the neighbors. In addition to being heavier than air, propane also has a rapid burnback that in the right concentration can be highly explosive.
Propane and Natural Gas will cost you more to heat your home at today's prices. Once upon a time it was cheaper but not today. I also heard on the news that Iran is debating on wether or not to halt its oil production. If they do cut the cord then you will see prices spike once again. True, Propane and Nat Gas does heat faster, you can get new High Efficiency units that are comparable. There is also a new 21 SEER unit out on the market! While the initial cost is a little more the energy savings more than make up for it in the long run. I have a customer that we installed three units in his home and in the few short months that he has been living in the home with the new units he has seen a 31% savings on his utilities! That is awesome! I work as an HVAC technician in the Nashville area so I get asked these questions alot. There are a few Propane suppliers that will sell you your gas in advance to lock in the price, that way if it goes up you dont get the hit, but if it drops then you are locked in at the higher rate. I dont think Natural Gas suppliers will work with you like that. One thing also to keep in mind, the furnace can only be so efficient, but your AC side can be super efficent. So even if you spend more to heat your home, the cooling cost can be considerably less. The nicest thing of all is that your are not stuck with your present equipment....you can always change it out if it doesnt suit you!
There's a lot of truth in what you say Swoop. The builder installed a propane system to save money on overall construction costs. Now we get to pay for it. I do like how hot the water gets though and it seems to warm the house efficiently. We've been going out everyday checking the tank's percentage. :chuckle: Like you said we can get it locked in at a low rate. Our supplier said they can lock it in as low as $1.50/gal which is pretty good actually. Propane just seems to be hassle though; ugly tank in your yard, have to fill it up initially (that was $378) having to monitor the guages, leasing the tank, changing rates and contracts, prices fluctuating from conflict overseas. Did I say big ugly tank in your yard? I think I'll paint it green or paint some leaves on it or something. :2thumbs: Just so much more simple to go full electric and pay your bill every month, over, done with.
Solar is the way to go! You can build your own hot water Solar for a few hundred dollars
On my old house that I lived in for 5 years that it was build in the 1940’es I made solar heating for hot water. I think it was 80% solar heated and the rest was propane heated. I found a old hot water tank painted it black put Plexiglas round it and it heats up to I think it was 110* propane cost was about $45.00 that included a gas kitchen stove compared to without solar $150.00 + a month.
On the hot water set up I put the tanks right between the bathroom and the kitchen so there won’t be wasted hot water.
On the house water it was spring water compared to city water that cost $45.00 to $80.00 a month.
House heat is an enclosed wood heat fire place insert /w elec fan, I cut my own firewood heating cost per month $10.00.
Home made hot tub heated by fire underneath priceless I loved that fire heated hot tub the smell of oak on a cold snowy wintry day it is a vary romantic tub.
Bought the house for 100 Gs sold it for 300 Gs five years later. Property value went up double plus the 40 Gs upgrades to the house. (Did my own labor)
On my old house that I lived in for 5 years that it was build in the 1940’es I made solar heating for hot water. I think it was 80% solar heated and the rest was propane heated. I found a old hot water tank painted it black put Plexiglas round it and it heats up to I think it was 110* propane cost was about $45.00 that included a gas kitchen stove compared to without solar $150.00 + a month.
On the hot water set up I put the tanks right between the bathroom and the kitchen so there won’t be wasted hot water.
On the house water it was spring water compared to city water that cost $45.00 to $80.00 a month.
House heat is an enclosed wood heat fire place insert /w elec fan, I cut my own firewood heating cost per month $10.00.
Home made hot tub heated by fire underneath priceless I loved that fire heated hot tub the smell of oak on a cold snowy wintry day it is a vary romantic tub.
Bought the house for 100 Gs sold it for 300 Gs five years later. Property value went up double plus the 40 Gs upgrades to the house. (Did my own labor)
I have a dual fuel heating system. The heat pump is the primary source then natural gas kicks in if the temps are below 30 degrees. Heat pumps, which work on electricity, don't work well below this temp.
I can run gas heat when there is power outages due to ice storms. I have to use my generator to be able to use the gas furnance because the electric blower motor is needed to force air through the ducts.
I can run gas heat when there is power outages due to ice storms. I have to use my generator to be able to use the gas furnance because the electric blower motor is needed to force air through the ducts.
I called the builder and expressed concern over our excessive propane usage. We've been living here only 5 days and it has used 10% of the tank. We have been keeping it on 68-70 degrees most days, washed in cold only so far, and we're not obsessive compulsive with showers. Yesterday we left for work at 6:30 in the morning and decided we'd do a little test. We put the temperature on 65 degrees and when we returned home after work (5:30) it had used 3%. So we have used 10% in 5 days on hot water and home heat only. Our builder (who lives in the same neighborhood in a similar sized home with propane) has used 15% in 3 weeks and his heat, hot water, and cooking stove run from propane. He is having a contracter come out today and take a look at the insulation and also have them check the tank for leaks, faulty guage etc. He said we should have to fill the tank 2-3 times a year, at the rate it dissapating now, it will be more like 6 times a year.