PERC announces more updates to online tools for construction industry

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) says it has updated its Propane Energy Pod, an online tool that allows construction professionals to determine the most efficient, greenest home energy system for their clients. The tool compares in seconds the energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions for one year for homes using propane, heating oil and electricity for common energy needs, PERC says. The user can select a 2,400- or 3,600-square-foot home and enter the county and state of the home. PERC says the tool has been updated with the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) findings on optimum energy systems. It uses the EPA’s carbon dioxide emissions statistics by state, giving users a more accurate representation of emissions in states where coal-fired power plants account for most of the electricity generation, PERC says. Also, a new section offers design and building steps that can be applied now to produce cost-effective propane applications in the future. The pod is one of five tools in the PERC Interactive Training Module, found at www.buildwithpropane.com. The training module can be placed on company or client websites, PERC adds.