Propane Can Do That

by Dale Aldrich, Bergquist Inc.

The physical properties of propane make it an enduring and endearing fuel choice

In the mid-1990s, the propane industry started an industry check-off program to help the general public in the education of the many benefits that propane offers. Anyone can now go to the website, propane.com, and learn more about what propane can do for them.

Since its inception, the Propane Education and Research Council has moved through a few popular slogans and tag lines. “Propane - Exceptional Energy” was the first, followed by “Propane – Clean, American Energy.” Now, the newest tag line, “Propane – Energy for Everyone,” arrived a couple of years ago. One of the more recent tag lines, however, is near and dear to many propane veterans’ hearts: “Propane Can Do That.” Because of its physical properties, propane is easily stored and transported. It can be used practically anywhere. It is a clean, cost-effective energy solution that is available in abundance today.

Residential and Commercial Heat – Propane Can Do That

As we start to come out of the winter season, we can take a look back at what propane was able to do to help keep customers safe and warm. Heating appliances are almost always tops for generating propane gallons. Furnaces and boilers head that list.

Forced air furnaces are a top choice in much of the country but boiler heat also remains popular in many parts of the U.S. Several tankless water heater manufacturers have gotten involved in the development and production of reliable boilers, some of which are combination (“combi”) units, which also produce the hot water source of an installation.

When consumers look for a warm reliable backup to their electric heat pumps, Heat Pump Helpers are making a comeback. A blower pushes air through hot water coils in an air handler and ductwork system, producing a drier and more comfortable heat. Heat Pump Helpers can use existing heat pump ductwork and provide a less expensive alternative to a monthly electric-resistance backup heat bill.

Space heating is still a popular choice in some areas of the country. Although the less efficient chimney-vented heaters are still produced and sold, more efficient vented and direct-vent heaters have been developed and are now readily available. In the early 1980s, unvented heaters under 40,000 BTUs were approved and developed, leading to several heaters (and later gas logs and fireplaces) being designed, sold, and installed. Unvented heaters are not approved in some states or in certain commercial and institutional installations, however. Still, vent-free appliances do remain a popular choice in several states, especially in the south. It’s important to remember that vent-free heat should only be used as supplemental heat, never as the main source or the only source of heat for a building.

Hot Water – Propane Can Do That

Propane water heaters continue to be a popular, clean, and efficient choice for water heating in both domestic and commercial installations. Very efficient tankless water heaters have been developed and are becoming a top choice in new construction and the replacement market. Money can be saved on monthly energy bills when an inefficient electric water heater or an old, inefficient tank water heater meets its demise and needs to be replaced. Residential, and especially commercial, locations can benefit from the fast recovery time that comes from a gas water heater. This includes tank water heaters but especially tankless water heaters and newly developed hybrid versions that are a combination of a tank and tankless unit.

Cooking – Propane Can Do That

Cooking with gas is preferred by many because of its precise temperature control, along with its instant off and on features. Cooking with propane is also very economical.

Clothes Drying – Propane Can Do That

For both residential and commercial installations, propane powered clothes dryers will get the job done in less time than electric dryers and be very cost efficient. Many have high performance features including steam and de-wrinkle cycles.

Outdoor Living – Propane Can Do That

Of course many of us have come to know or have been introduced to propane because of an outdoor barbeque gas grill. When the pandemic hit in 2020, many people decided to stay home and add products to enhance their backyard experience. Over the years, many developments have come to life in the area of gas-powered outdoor living. Outdoor kitchens, fire pits, hot tubs and massive grills all have been developed and installed that use propane as their energy source.

AutoGas – Propane Can Do That

Small fleets, along with an increasing number of school districts, are converting their vehicles from gasoline or diesel to propane. Fleet maintenance managers benefit from propane being environmentally friendly, a lower total cost of ownership, lower conversion and infrastructure cost, cleaner performance, and a proven technology.

So, when it comes to appliances and energy use in general, it’s good to remember that Propane Can Do That. Propane is used to keep homes and businesses warm, to heat water, to fuel on-road and off-road vehicles, and so much more.

Dale Aldrich is Director of Inside Sales at Bergquist Inc. For more information on this article or other services, you can contact Dale at dale.aldrich@bergquistinc.com

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