Wednesday, 6 May 2015

Reduce Your Energy Bill By Using Home Heating Propane



Propane is a widely used alternative fuel for residential heating because it is cost-effective, safe, and environmentally friendly. Replacing your electric or wood burning heaters with an energy efficient tankless water heater may help reduce your monthly energy bill. Propane is a more economical choice when you think about the savings that it can provide. In fact, the US Department of Energy said you could save up to 30 percent annually when you use a propane water heater, and save up to 50 percent when you dry your clothes with a propane dryer (compared to when you use their electric versions).

An Energy Star propane tankless water heater has high efficiency levels—between 83 to 94 percent on average. Hence, a tankless water heater is approximately 60 percent less costly to operate than the typical electric storage tank. Moreover, a propane water heater can keep the water hotter for a much longer time than what an electric heater can.

You can keep your room temperature at a comfortable 115 degrees Fahrenheit when you use a propane heater. This is why a propane system is better than electric heat pumps, which typically deliver air temperature that is slightly higher than the average body temperature. You can continue to use a propane gas heater, propane stove, or a gas fireplace during a power outage, too. Hence, you do not have to worry about freezing and starving when electricity is unavailable.

Appliance Magazine found that a gas furnace could typically last up to 20 years, which is longer than the average 14-year lifespan of an electric heat pump. Most of the time, it can be cheaper to repair a propane furnace than its electric counterpart. A high-quality propane boiler can have a 90-percent efficiency and may reduce your energy usage by about one-third of the cost when use a conventional gas boiler. Propane has fewer emissions compared to other petroleum products. In fact, a high-quality propane furnace can typically emit 37 percent fewer greenhouse gases than a fuel oil furnace, and up to 60 percent fewer greenhouse gasses than an electric furnace.

Tuesday, 5 May 2015

5 Reasons Why Propane Is Better Than Other Fuels



Are you still using electricity to power most of your heating and cooking devices and tired of the high heating and electricity bills? It might be time for a change. Check out these five reasons why switching to propane is better and may be your solution for lower annual heating bills.

  1. Propane is environmentally friendly.
    Propane is a clean burning fossil fuel that was approved as an alternative fuel by the Clean Air Act of 1990. The US Environmental Protection Agency found that vehicles that run on propane produce 30 to 90 percent less carbon monoxide and around 50 percent fewer smog-causing emissions and toxins compared to cars that run on gasoline. Moreover, propane has been found to be nontoxic, so its deposits will not harm the water or soil.

  2. Propane is more economical.
    The US Department of Energy says that you can typically save up to 30 percent annually when you heat water with propane, and save up to 50 percent when you dry your clothes with propane-generated heat (compared to when you use electric heaters and electric clothes dryers). On average, propane can heat an entire tank of water in 20 minutes while it takes electricity at least an hour to do the same job.

  3. Propane is cheaper to use in the long run.
    You will find fuel oil to be better at generating heat compared with propane on a per-BTU basis. However, many oil boilers are typically at a maximum 85 percent efficiency, which is lower than the efficiency of gas boilers at 95 percent (or possibly more). The US Energy Information Administration found that during the 2010 to 2011 heating season, New England's residential propane prices were 20 cents cheaper on average compared to oil.

  4. Propane devices last longer and are easier to use.
    It is interesting that oil requires a more sophisticated burner system to be efficiently fired. Hence, oil burner systems are usually more expensive than gas-powered options. Furthermore, Appliance Magazine found propane gas furnaces to have an average lifespan of 20 years, so it will outlast other systems.

      5. It is designed for better heat distribution.
Propane is an excellent energy source for liquid-based radiant heating, which is known to be more efficient than electric heating. A propane boiler or water heater pumps water through a system of floor tubing. Heat is delivered more evenly and closer to the floor. This makes propane more efficient than conventional duct-and-furnace systems. Moreover, heat from propane is more comfortable as a propane heating system consistently keeps the air supply at 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tuesday, 14 April 2015

Stay Warm With A Mendota Fireplace



There is nothing quite as homey and cozy as a crackling fire on a freezing cold winter's day. Modern homes do not always have the space or the right foundation for a traditional fireplace. Moreover, most homeowners aren’t thrilled with the amount of upkeep a wood burning fireplace requires —but are eager to search for ways to get that authentic fireplace experience without the hassles and potential dangers of old fireplaces and chimneys.

A house requires a fireplace that can safely contain fire, effectively exhaust smoke, burn fuel efficiently, and deliver sufficient warmth around the room. Unfortunately, most traditional fireplaces are inefficient at heating and are extremely hard to control. Old fireplaces traditionally provide heat by radiation, but radiant heat is more effective at warming objects within a room, instead of the air. Additionally, the fireplace walls often restrain heat before it is slowly released into the room. Inefficiently designed fireplaces also increase drafts in the space as it draws air through the fireplace's mouth, sending it out, along with as much as 90% of the heat up the chimney exhaust.

Thus, using a contemporary fireplace turns out to be a good option. Mendota Fireplaces help cut heat loss and prevent drafts by their contemporary designs and features. These fireplaces typically include glass doors and other types of inserts to avoid and eliminate the issues and problems that traditional fireplaces create. Modern fireplaces also draw combustion air from the outdoors, so heat is brought to the room instead of taken away from it. Mendota fireplaces burn quietly and cleanly, thanks to exceptional craftsmanship and highly advanced gas technology. These installations also boast fine details and use heavy gauge steel to ensure long-term comfort. Stylish fronts and door designs are also available to match all types of home interiors, making Mendota fireplaces a very practical investment for any modern home.

The Advantages of Converting from Oil to Propane



Oil-fired furnaces have always been the system and technology of choice in home heating. Today, however, there are several alternatives in the market that are much more efficient, practical, and environmental friendly. At the forefront, the alternative of oil is propane gas. This is a popular option for many new homeowners as well as those who wish to upgrade their old heating system into something that is more eco-friendly and sustainable. The following are only some of the major benefits of switching from oil-fired furnaces to propane-powered heating systems:

  • Energy and cost benefits – Oil furnaces have a 60% heat-production efficiency, which means that for every dollar that you spend on heating oil, you only get as much as 60 cents worth of heat. On the other hand, Propane, has a much higher efficiency at 90% or greater.
  • Environmental impact – Propane is a more eco-friendly choice because it burns with reduced emissions compared to oil. Burning different types of fuels like coal, wood, gasoline, oil, and natural gas, inevitably produces different levels of carbon emissions—GHGs that contribute to pollution and global warming. Propane gas boasts lower carbon content than most fuels, including oil, diesel, gasoline, ethanol, and kerosene, making it a greener choice. It also contains less greenhouse gas emissions within a productivity unit than other fuels. Its efficiency and small carbon footprint, combined, makes propane gas an ideal choice of heating fuel for homes, providing a greener, more reliable, safer, and more affordable alternative to heating oil.
  • Insurance and liability – Finally, it is a lot easier to insure a house with a propane-fed heating system than a house with old oil tanks and furnaces, which are subject to stricter rules when it comes to insurance policies. Additionally, propane heating systems and equipment are much more affordable. You can expect maintenance costs to be low as well.

Sunday, 8 March 2015

Understand How Propane Service Providers Works



Knowing how propane service providers work to provide high-quality and safe propane to your household can help you choose the right supplier—a company that you can count on whenever you require their assistance. With the help of a great propane supplier, you can switch to using a more economical and environmentally friendly fuel source. Here is an overview of how reputable propane service providers provide the best services to their customers:

Stable Prices

Propane services are in higher demand in the winter months more so than in the spring and summer. Some suppliers dramatically increase their prices in the colder months due to the high demand of propane for heating systems at home and businesses. The best suppliers commit to keep their prices down. It is important to compare the prices of at least two suppliers before you buy propane from them.

Service Agreements

Be sure to check the service agreements when signing up for a propane supplier. If you intend to change suppliers, be sure that you have fulfilled or completed the service agreement of your previous or existing supplier first so that you don’t have to pay termination and closeout fees. A service agreement should indicate whether there are minimum monthly purchase requirements, tank rental, delivery fees, and regulatory fees.

24/7 Emergency Services

You can easily contact some of the best propane suppliers whenever you need their services.
Consider ordering propane from a supplier who can provide 24/7 emergency services, so your tank can be refueled or your propane-run products can be serviced any time when required.

Refer Your Friend

There are propane service providers who have referral programs that can earn you credits that you can use to save money on your propane bill. For instance, a reputable propane supplier can take $25 off your residential bill and give $25 to a referred friend who signs up with the same supplier.