Using propane as your main source of household fuel is an excellent way to improve energy efficiency, and it also is a clean, green fuel. While it's true that propane is a byproduct of petroleum refining, many people simply are not aware that propane is listed as a clean fuel and not a greenhouse gas.
We all know the environmental hazards of using coal or wood to heat our homes, and nuclear power produces toxic waste, not to mention the disasters that potentially can occur at a nuclear power plant. Even natural gas, if it leaks, is highly damaging to the environment. With propane, you won't damage the environment nor will you be tied to the grid. If you combine propane use with solar energy, this can be all you might need to truly live a greener lifestyle. Of course, propane tank prices and the cost of filling up a tank is something to consider. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to find low propane prices and save money.
Propane prices change all of the time, but they tend to be much lower during the summer. This is when the demand drops because people simply don't need to use as much propane. However, other issues can affect propane prices. For instance, fluctuations in the price of petroleum can cause propane prices to rise or fall as well. If you shop when propane prices are low, you can fill up your propane tank for a very reasonable cost.
Aside from buying when propane prices are low, an easy way for new customers to lower their propane start-up costs is to find a company that offers you a free tank if you pre-buy a specific amount of propane. Propane companies will lease a tank to you for virtually nothing and only charge a small installation fee; however, you will be required to purchase propane only from that company during the length of your lease. If you own the tank, you are free to use whichever propane company you like, so you can truly take advantage of the lowest possible propane prices.
Once you buy a tank, you can take a look at your local propane companies and determine which company is offering the best deal. However, you can't just look at cost alone. In the U.S., there are two types of propane sold to homeowners - HD-5 & HD-10 propane. HD-5 is a purer form of propane that burns hotter and cleaner than HD-10. So if you see HD-10 propane for sale and it's a bit lower in price, keep in mind that even if you pay a few cents more per gallon for HD-5 propane, this is more efficient and will save you money in the long run.
There are plenty of ways to also reduce the amount of propane that you use, and these energy saving tips can help you save money, as well. For instance, if you have a propane heater, install a programmable thermostat to ensure that you don't use up propane when you aren't at home. These thermostats cost about $100, sometimes more or less, but they can be set to regulate the temperature of your house every hour of the day. Also check out the insulation in your attic and around your water heater and make sure you have enough to lock in heat and air conditioning. Sealing up drafts near windows or doors also helps lock in heat and cold and helps you conserve propane. Reducing your energy use is an excellent way to maintain a greener lifestyle in general, so be sure to turn off lights, take shorter showers and unplug televisions and computers when not in use.
We all know the environmental hazards of using coal or wood to heat our homes, and nuclear power produces toxic waste, not to mention the disasters that potentially can occur at a nuclear power plant. Even natural gas, if it leaks, is highly damaging to the environment. With propane, you won't damage the environment nor will you be tied to the grid. If you combine propane use with solar energy, this can be all you might need to truly live a greener lifestyle. Of course, propane tank prices and the cost of filling up a tank is something to consider. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to find low propane prices and save money.
Propane prices change all of the time, but they tend to be much lower during the summer. This is when the demand drops because people simply don't need to use as much propane. However, other issues can affect propane prices. For instance, fluctuations in the price of petroleum can cause propane prices to rise or fall as well. If you shop when propane prices are low, you can fill up your propane tank for a very reasonable cost.
Aside from buying when propane prices are low, an easy way for new customers to lower their propane start-up costs is to find a company that offers you a free tank if you pre-buy a specific amount of propane. Propane companies will lease a tank to you for virtually nothing and only charge a small installation fee; however, you will be required to purchase propane only from that company during the length of your lease. If you own the tank, you are free to use whichever propane company you like, so you can truly take advantage of the lowest possible propane prices.
Once you buy a tank, you can take a look at your local propane companies and determine which company is offering the best deal. However, you can't just look at cost alone. In the U.S., there are two types of propane sold to homeowners - HD-5 & HD-10 propane. HD-5 is a purer form of propane that burns hotter and cleaner than HD-10. So if you see HD-10 propane for sale and it's a bit lower in price, keep in mind that even if you pay a few cents more per gallon for HD-5 propane, this is more efficient and will save you money in the long run.
There are plenty of ways to also reduce the amount of propane that you use, and these energy saving tips can help you save money, as well. For instance, if you have a propane heater, install a programmable thermostat to ensure that you don't use up propane when you aren't at home. These thermostats cost about $100, sometimes more or less, but they can be set to regulate the temperature of your house every hour of the day. Also check out the insulation in your attic and around your water heater and make sure you have enough to lock in heat and air conditioning. Sealing up drafts near windows or doors also helps lock in heat and cold and helps you conserve propane. Reducing your energy use is an excellent way to maintain a greener lifestyle in general, so be sure to turn off lights, take shorter showers and unplug televisions and computers when not in use.
About the Author:
Cath Buhr enjoys blogging reviews on propane retailers. To get more details about Pittsburgh propane retailers or to know local Pittsburgh propane prices, please go to the Thrifty Propane site today.
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