What is Propane Gas and What are its Uses?

Propane is a versatile alternative fuel source that offers a wide range of uses and applications. This colorless, odorless gas produced from the refinement process of natural gas and petroleum fuel, resulting in an alternative fuel and energy source that has much less carbon content, which means fewer greenhouse emissions and more eco-friendly use. Consumers who buy propane gas find many practical uses for this alternative fuel including but not limited to:

                                      

•  Home or space heating – Residential customers as well as commercial/industrial business owners choose propane as an economical alternative for home and space heating. Some of the greatest advantages of using propane as an alternative fuel source for space heating include less expensive installation and cheaper running costs. Propane also makes for a more energy efficient fuel source that can be used for powering a wide range of appliances, including radiant floor heaters, and general HVAC applications.

• Cooking – many professional and residential cooks choose propane as cooking fuel because of its heating efficiency and its ability to cook food faster, while leaving no effect on food’s taste.

• Water heating – Many tankless water systems use propane as a fuel source. Homeowners that buy propane gas for their water heating system report huge savings on their fuel consumption and gas bill since their switch to propane.

• Daily home use – There are also numerous home appliances that make use of propane gas for power. Some of the most common home appliances that benefit from the low-cost and energy efficiency advantages of propane include fireplaces, clothes dryers, grills, outdoor lighting, pool heaters, and many other household devices.

•  Generators – Emergency power systems or generators are also among the most common devices that make use of propane gas. Propane powered generators are also much preferred because of their reliability and efficiency during emergency situations.

Must Know Things About Propane Regulators

Propane gas regulators are among the most important components of an LPG system. Their main purpose is to control gas flow and pressure from the storage tank unit to the devices or appliances within the gas system. A propane regulator also serves as a critical safety barrier between the high-pressure environment of the propane storage tank and the end-use appliance. Because of its crucial role in the propane gas system, LPG gas suppliers refer to the propane regulator as the heart of a propane gas system.

The propane regulator likewise compensates for the pressure differences within the tank in order to allow a steady flow of the needed pressure to the appliances they are supplying gas to. Because not every application is similar in pressure requirement, regulators are required to meet the high or low-pressure needs of devices. There are different types of propane gas regulators that you can purchase from LPG gas suppliers. While the general purpose of gas regulators is the same, various applications also require different kinds of regulators, hence the difference in type and design of devices that can be installed in your system. As a matter of fact, a single propane system can make use of multiple regulators to increase efficiency in fuel supply. Some of the most common types of regulators you will see in the market include first stage regulators, second stage regulators, high-pressure regulators, integral two-stage regulators, automatic changeover regulators, and adjustable high-pressure regulators.

Propane regulators, like any other part of your LPG system, require protection and regular maintenance. For the most part, this means keeping the device covered and making sure that it is free from damage caused by the elements and even some insects that tend to nest around different parts of a propane system. Their internal moving parts are also prone to regular wear and tear, which means maintenance is required to prevent the system from malfunctioning. LPG gas suppliers know exactly when your propane regulator requires maintenance or replacement, which is why regular servicing is also needed to ensure the optimum performance of your system.

Some Essential Safety Tips for Using LPG Gas at Home

When using home heating propane, remember that safety begins with you. Propane and the appliances running on LPG may be approved and acknowledged as safe, but you still need to be responsible and do your part in ensuring that they will not cause any accidents or fatal issues in your household. Here are some important safety tips for using liquefied petroleum gas at home:

• Be careful when buying from LPG gas suppliers – Purchase home heating propane only from credible and established companies that have a good track record in providing high-quality products and services in your area. They must be authorized to sell in your area.
  
  
• Make sure the product is safe - If you are buying an LPG cylinder, you need to check for an intact safety cap and the company seal. See if it has been tested. LPG gas suppliers must indicate the test’s due date and the last time it has been conducted. If it is past the date, reject the product.

• Cook safely with LPG – Never put plastic or flammable items near the flame, and never leave the cooking unattended, as the vessel could overflow, extinguish the burner, and cause a gas leak. After cooking, remember to switch off the regulator knob.

• Keep emergency numbers within easy reach – List down the numbers of the LPG supplier and the fire department or save them in your mobile phone in case of an emergency, like a leak or the presence of carbon monoxide.

• Know the smell of the gas – Home heating propane is colorless and odorless, but manufacturers add a distinctive smell, usually that of a rotten egg or sulfur, so you can easily tell if there is a leak.

• Install carbon monoxide & smoke detectors – They will go off if there is any trouble. Just make sure they’re checked periodically for function and batteries, and that they’re installed near heating and cooking devices or wherever LPG is used.