Background

• Propane, which is also known as petroleum gas, is a naturally occurring atmospheric gas that can be liquefied. It is transported as a compressed liquid; once the container valve is opened, it vaporizes into gas. Propane is a byproduct of two processes, including petroleum refining and the processing of natural gas. The U.S. imports about 10 percent of its propane supply by land from Canada and by sea from countries such as Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Propane is subject to the same pricing factors as other fuels such as crude oil and natural gas.
  
  

Uses

• Residential and commercial use represents 45 percent of the propane used in the U.S., excluding propane grills, according to the Massachusetts Department of Energy. As of 2011, of the 107 million households in the U.S., about 9.3 million use propane for some purpose, and 54 percent of those households use propane as their primary heating fuel. Similar to heating oil, propane is a more common heating fuel in areas that do not have natural gas available.
  
  

Versatility

• A significant advantage to propane is that it can be used for many types of applications, including space and water heating, cooking, drying clothes, hot tub heating and to power emergency generators. It's also used as an alternative fuel for cars, trucks and buses. Propane space heaters can be either wall mounted or free standing. Propane fireplaces require very little maintenance and don't leave ashes or soot; they can be controlled with remote controls or thermostatic switches.
  
  

Safety

• According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, propane is non-toxic, slightly soluble, and can biodegrade quickly in soil, water or air. This means that it is safer than other fuels in the event of an outdoor spill. In addition, propane in its liquid state has the lowest flammability range of any alternative fuel, according to the EPA. This means that there is less chance of propane will burn if an ignition source is introduced. Compared to gasoline, propane can also reduce toxic emissions, including carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
  
  

Efficiency

• Propane furnaces can achieve efficiency rates as high as 96 percent. This means that for every dollar a homeowner spends on energy, they are receiving about 96 cents worth of heat. Propane furnaces can be vented either horizontally or vertically with PVC piping, which means that the home does not require a chimney.