What today’s residential builders need to know about propane

Today’s residential builders and remodelers may be operating under old assumptions about propane.

It is up to you to relate how our industry has evolved over the years and how your propane business has embraced those changes. Here are a few discussion items you can consider.

In today’s energy world, propane is in an abundant and stable supply, but that wasn’t always the case. Increased domestic crude oil and natural gas liquids production through new exploration and fracking advancements has increased propane supply to the point that we export almost three times as much as we use in this country. What does that mean to the builder? Power companies are struggling to produce enough electricity to meet demand while trying to rebuild an overburdened grid system to deliver electricity dependably. On the other hand, propane energy is in abundant supply at moderate and affordable prices. Builders should be thinking of a more balanced energy approach when discussing energy usage points with rural home buyers.

Today’s homeowners enjoy reliable propane service, but propane wasn’t always thought of as a dependable energy source. It took the advanced technologies of cellular and satellite tank monitoring, routing and scheduling software, and gas meter options to create the propane reliability that consumers are always seeking.

Propane offers an extra measure of energy security because it is an on-site energy supply, with little or no dependence on a far-reaching electric grid that is subject to power outages on a more frequent basis than ever before. Many homeowners also recognize that adding a propane standby generator further addresses their security needs. The more propane applications you have in the home instead of electric, the smaller the generator needs to be. Propane offers energy security answers for on-grid and off-grid homes that builders and home buyers should be exploring.

Propane has long been recognized as a clean, low carbon, American-sourced form of gas energy. Choosing propane as one of the cleanest energy choices in America has been going on for over 100 years. Builders in your area may need to be reminded of that.

And then there are five propane usage points for the home, not including that standby generator, of which builders and remodelers should be reminded. Of course, space heating and cooling are primary energy consumers in the home, and those needs can be met with a hybrid energy solution, no matter where you live in the country. A propane furnace for heating, coupled with an electric heat pump for cooling, offers a highly efficient hybrid solution for heating and cooling a home. Homeowners should not be forced to endure what I refer to as a “cold house heat pump” for both heating and cooling needs. Solo heat pump installations are being pushed way beyond their comfort capabilities, and homebuyers won’t know that until it is too late, unless builders explain ahead of time.

Water heating is the second-largest energy usage point for propane in the home. The propane tankless water heater offers space savings and an efficient, endless supply of hot water for the home. There are systems available that can combine tankless propane water heaters with electric heat pumps to offer homeowners space heating and water heating from one heating source, along with an electric heat pump for cooling.

Professional chefs and most consumers love cooking with gas, and propane is the right choice for builders when planning indoor and outdoor kitchens. Recent indoor air quality concerns about cooking with gas have been completely debunked, but those stories can linger in the media. Make sure builders understand that cooking with propane is the safe, efficient and delicious choice for everyone.

Remind builders that clothes dryers are available in propane as well as electric models. Propane dryers are generally a more efficient, faster way to dry clothes, and they create less static electricity in the drying process.

Builders probably already understand why homebuyers want the ambiance, convenience and back-up heat capabilities of propane fireplaces, but it doesn’t hurt to remind them.

Talk with builders in your area. Find them at your local Home Builders Association meetings and events, at their building sites or wherever you can find them. Let them know that propane is energy for every home everywhere.

Tom Jaenicke is known as “the propane guy” and works as an adviser and strategist to the energy industry. Check out his work at atomiksolutions.com. Tom is a propane industry veteran of several decades and can be reached at tom@atomikenergysolutions.com or by calling 810-252-7855.

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