Fact Sheet: Propane and Energy Efficiency

Propane Is Energy Efficient

Ninety-eight percent of homeowners believe it is important that their home be as energy efficient
as possible—yet only 41 percent of homeowners think it is easy to make their home more efficient.¹

• Propane offers consumers more efficient energy with fewer emissions than other energy sources.

  • Propane furnaces can reach a peak efficiency of more than 95 percent, compared with 85 percent for home fuel oil.

  • As far as greenhouse gases, propane and natural gas emit less carbon dioxide per BTU than any other fossil fuels.

• Technological innovations are advancing the performance of this already efficient fuel.

  •  Tankless water heaters can reduce wasted energy by up to 20 percent.

  • Ultraefficient gas heating equipment can be used in an array of heating applications, such as forced air and in-floor systems.

Energy Efficiency Tips With Propane

Propane is the primary heating fuel for millions of American households.  By participating in the following energy planning steps, propane consumers can keep energy costs in check:

• Discuss fuel payment plan options for your local propane retailer. 

  • Many retailers offer budget payment plans which allow consumers to spread their projected annual cost of propane over the year.  Doing so helps lower the cost of seasonally higher bills (for example, during the cold winter months).

• Work with your propane supplier to set up a regular propane delivery schedule.
  

• Explore government tax credits and state rebates for high-efficiency home improvements.

  The federal government has extended many of the Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives for qualifying home improvements. This includes an extension of the tax credit for high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, such as propane water heaters and furnaces (covering improvements installed in 2009, but not 2008).  For more information on these tax credits, visit: www.energytaxincentives.org

• Many state propane associations offer additional rebates of up to $500 for installing energy-efficient propane water heaters and furnaces. Visit www.usepropane.com to see if your state offers such an incentive.

 

¹ CARAVAN^® Omnibus Survey, March 2008