How Much Will It Drive Up Energy Prices?

A few months ago, state lawmakers in Albany approved a $229 billion state budget that included a Cap and Invest measure. This program is designed to cut carbon emissions but may cause painful energy price increases for New York families. The jury is still out on just how much pain will be inflicted.

The program calls for caps to be placed on how much companies can pollute and requires businesses to purchase emissions allowances if they expect to exceed the cap, which will gradually decrease each year.

Unfortunately, the state’s own models forecast that this measure will likely increase gasoline costs by 62 cents per gallon and natural gas rates by nearly 80%. Those are just two alarming examples. In the end, the Cap and Invest program amounts to a price hike on every gallon of gasoline, heating oil or propane; every therm of natural gas; and every kilowatt hour of electricity.

But New York’s cost of living is already too high. We shouldn’t be artificially inflating it—especially since there are other clean energy solutions we can explore to mitigate the effects of climate change. Please visit SmarterNYEnergy.org for more information about this issue.

Propane Vs. Electricity: Which Fuel Is Cleaner?

New York’s push for conversions to electric heat—at the expense of clean-burning heating fuels like propane—is being done under the logic that electric conversions will reduce a home’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions the most compared to other fuels.

The only problem is that, right now, energy from our electric grid is far from clean. In 2021, the combustion of fossil fuels like natural gas and coal for electricity generation was the nation’s second-largest source of CO2 emissions. And in New York, more than 45% of the electricity generated is still sourced from natural gas power plants.

Propane Is Far More Efficient than Electricity

The issue of energy efficiency is often ignored in the clean energy debate but it’s a critical piece of the puzzle. The fact is, propane generates more Btu than an equivalent amount of electricity, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat energy. And the less energy we use, the less carbon emissions are released into the atmosphere. To appreciate propane’s big advantage over electricity in terms of energy efficiency, you have to consider Btu content.

Btu can be used to compare energy sources on an equal basis. To compare propane to electricity, we need to know that:

• one gallon of propane = 91,452 Btu
• one kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity = 3,412 Btu

To make these two energy sources “equal,” divide 91,452 Btu by 3,412 Btu. Your answer will be:

• One gallon of propane = 27 kWh of electricity. In other words, one gallon of propane contains the same amount of usable energy as 27 kilowatt hours of electricity.

Propane101.com makes this simple comparison to illustrate the efficiency of propane compared to electricity. A 100-watt light bulb left on for 24 hours will consume 2.4 kWh. If propane could be used to power the same light bulb during the same time period, it would only use 9/100th of a gallon of propane.

Propane’s Movement Toward Being a Renewable Fuel

While propane remains one of the most eco-friendly fuels available today, industry leaders are firmly committed to raising the bar higher by making renewable propane gas available to everyone. While renewable propane gas is not in wide use yet, its production grows substantially each year.

Just as conventional propane is a co-product of natural gas or oil refining, renewable propane can be described as a co-product of biodiesel production. Molecularly identical to conventional propane, it’s made using many of the same feedstocks as biodiesel. Renewable propane has less than half the carbon intensity of conventional propane and roughly 22% of the intensity of grid electricity.

This means that clean electricity–still a work in progress–is not the only game in town!

Please visit Renewablepropanegas.com to learn more about propane’s movement toward being a renewable fuel.

Source:
https://www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2023/07/how-will-new-yorks-cap-and-invest-program-shape/388202/

Are We Moving Too Fast?

Is New York’s express train to all-out electrification on the wrong track and moving too fast? The answer seems to be yes, especially in the wake of the most recent Reliability Needs Assessment (RNA) released by the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO). The NYSIO manages New York’s electric grid, including the sale of electricity from power plants to the grid.

The assessment pointed to “thinning reliability margins” for electric supply over the next decade. This outlook can be traced to the state’s aggressive push to shift completely away from fossil fuels as a power source for electricity. But here’s the problem as highlighted by the NYISO: fossil fuel electric generation is being eliminated at a faster rate than they are being replaced by alternative fuels.

Under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York State is scheduled to get 70% of its electricity from renewable fuels by 2030. And by 2040, the goal is to achieve 100% of our electric power from renewable sources.

How are we doing so far? Here’s the current breakdown of how we generate electricity in New York State.

• 50% from fossil fuel plants (either natural gas or a dual fuel combination of gas and fuel oil)
• 22% nuclear power
• 20% hydropower
• 4% wind
• 2% other renewables, including solar.

And while it’s true that the percentage of renewables are growing, it’s also true that making this growth feasible translates into a big price tag.

Adding Up the Cost for New Yorkers

In February, the New York State Public Service Commission approved a $4.4 billion dollar transmission line upgrade plan from three utilities: National Grid, NYSEG, and Central Hudson. This would allow these utilities to draw in additional power from more renewable energy projects. But it was estimated that customers could see their utility rates increase as much as 16%, depending on their service classifications and location.

Other costs that may be influencing utility bills over the coming years, based on actions by the Public Service Commission, include:

• $700 million to subsidize electric vehicle chargers
• $454 million for heat pump subsidies
• $1 billion to subsidize small-scale solar projects and more.

Will We Stay Warm 10 Years from Now?

An issue that needs to be discussed more is electric reliability during the winter months, especially in the next decade as more fleets transition to electric vehicles and more buildings electrify.

In the Northeast, it’s estimated that about 10% of our energy consumption goes toward air conditioning. (In contrast, we use about 40% of total energy towards heating).

Yet, it seems like we can never get through a summer heat wave without heavy electric demand causing a power outage somewhere in New York. Are we really going to be prepared to handle an enormous new electric heating load during the winter? Right now, we’re far from getting there.

Renewable Propane

When discussing clean energy, electricity isn’t the only answer. While renewable propane isn’t in wide use right now, its production grows substantially each year. Just as conventional propane is a co-product of natural gas/oil refining, renewable propane can be described as a co-product of biodiesel production.

Molecularly identical to conventional propane, it’s made using many of the same feedstocks as biodiesel. Renewable propane has less than half the carbon intensity of conventional propane and roughly 22% of the intensity of grid electricity.

Read about renewable propane gas and learn more about why propane is the cleaner, more efficient choice in New York.

Sources:

NYISO

Times Union

WGRZ

Politico

How Efficient Are Propane Appliances?

It’s Hard to Beat Propane for Its Efficiency

From municipal to state to federal, governments efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change has largely focused on supporting wide scale conversions to electricity to replace traditional fuels like propane. But that’s an extremely expensive path to take, and one that’s not very popular for people in New York, who love the comfort and savings they enjoy by using dependable, affordable and eco-friendly propane.

One extremely important issue in the propane vs. electricity debate is the topic of energy efficiency, which has a big effect on the environment. Because the less energy you use, the less impact you will have on the environment.

Why Propane Is More Efficient than Electricity

Propane generates more Btu than an equivalent amount of electricity, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat energy. To appreciate propane’s big advantage over electricity in energy efficiency, you have to consider Btu content.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a British thermal unit (Btu) is a measure of the heat content of fuels or energy sources. It’s measured by the quantity of heat that’s required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit–at the temperature in which water has its greatest density (approximately 39 degrees Fahrenheit).

BTU can be used to compare energy sources on an equal basis. To compare propane to electricity, we need to know that:

• one gallon of propane = 91,452 Btus
• one kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity = 3,412 Btu

To make these two energy sources “equal,” divide 91,452 Btus by 3,412 Btu. Your answer will be:

• One gallon of propane = 27 kWh of electricity. In other words, one gallon of propane contains the same amount of usable energy as 27 kilowatt hours of electricity.

Propane101.com makes this comparison to illustrate the efficiency of propane compared to electricity. A 100-watt light bulb left on for a full day–24 hours–will consume 2.4 kWh. If propane could be used to power the same light bulb. it would only use 9/100th of a gallon of propane.

Propane: Made in the USA

Almost all the propane used in the U.S. is produced domestically, meaning every gallon purchased contributes to the independence of America’s energy needs.

Maintaining a propane tank on your property gives you the ability to store a sufficient supply that’s always ready for immediate use, eliminating any dependence on an underground gas pipeline. That’s just one more reason to feel good about using propane every time you get a propane delivery.

Read more about using propane appliances for water heaters, space heating and more.

Renewable Propane = Net-Zero Carbon Emissions

The success story of propane and the benefits it provides to New Yorkers doesn’t end here. Renewable propane has the same great features as conventional propane — reliability, portability, power and reduced carbon emissions — but with even lower carbon emissions when compared with other energy sources.

The fact is, renewable propane is molecularly identical to the propane most people use now. But it is made with renewable resources such as animal oils, plant oils, biomass, and other triglycerides.

While not widely available yet, renewable propane is expected to grow a lot. That means more people in New York and elsewhere will be able to use it to lower their carbon footprint even further than they do now with traditional propane.

Read more about renewable propane.

How Does a Propane Pool Heater Work?

Enjoy Your Pool More, Heat It with Propane

A propane pool heater simply burns gas to warm water from the pool pump, then cycles the water back into the pool. That’s why propane pool heaters are an ideal choice for in-ground and aboveground pools and spas.

But you may ask, do I really need a pool heater in the first place?

For starters, while average temperatures in New York enable the typical swim season to last from late May through early September, we still have to contend with some below-average temperature days and evenings during that time.

And what will your plan be or the rest of the year—especially if you’re someone who enjoys a daily swim as a fun form of aerobic exercise? It seems a shame to travel elsewhere and just let that backyard swimming pool go to waste.

That’s where the best pool heaters come in. There are a few different types, each of which offers its own benefits to help keep your pool warmer when the temperatures cool down.

It goes without saying—but we’ll say it anyway—that our obvious choice should be a high-efficiency propane pool heater (sometimes referred to as a gas pool heater). It’s a popular option because propane pool heaters can quickly heat your pool to your desired temperature. Many people feel that this is the best pool heater around.

If you rely on one propane fuel and service provider, they know your home’s heating source and can seamlessly integrate your pool heater and install it quickly and properly for you. Your propane service professional can also take care of annual maintenance to ensure your pool heater runs problem-free.

What Are the Best Propane Pool Heaters?

The best propane pool heaters are:

• easy to install and maintain
• efficient
• durable and reliable
• eco-friendly
• available in a number of sizes and colors

Propane Pool Heaters Vs. Other Options

Propane pool heaters have distinct advantages over other pool heater types, including:

• Electric heat pump heaters – While these are more cost-effective than using a simple electric element pool heater, electric heat pump pool heaters need to use surrounding air to warm water in the pool – which means it can only produce water that’s slightly warmer than the temperature of the air. That’s a problem if you feel like a swim when there’s a chill in the air.
• Solar pool heaters –These have higher upfront costs and take longer to heat your pool compared to a propane pool heater. A solar system also doesn’t work at night and its operation is limited on cloudy days when the sun isn’t at its brightest. So, this type of pool heater is limited in how much heat it can provide. If you enjoy midnight swims, solar pool heaters aren’t for you.
• Natural gas pool heaters –Propane pool heaters give you the same performance of natural gas heaters without the expensive hardware and hassle needed to connect the pool heater to your home’s gas line.

To learn more about propane pool heaters and the many other ways you can take full advantage of propane inside and outside your home, reach out to your New York propane service provider and they’ll be glad to give you advice.

Read about the many benefits of using propane beyond pool heaters.

Ways to Use Propane in Your Home

Home Heating, Cooking, Hot Water and Much More

Consumer surveys have shown that while propane customers have high levels of satisfaction with both their fuel and their local supplier, most don’t realize all the ways propane can be used in the home.

But if you swap out your old electric appliances for those that are fueled by propane, you’re doing your part to help the environment. That’s because the average propane-powered home reduces carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 30% compared to all-electric homes. What’s more, direct use of propane for space heating, water heating, cooking, and clothes drying reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%.

Here’s a look at some of the many propane appliances and propane-powered equipment you can use in and around your New York home.

Plenty of Hot Water with Propane

For both traditional propane storage tanks and propane tankless on-demand water heaters, you’ll see more than just an increase in your supply of hot water.

You’ll also see savings since propane water heaters are generally less expensive to run when compared to electric heating units – even with a hot water recovery rate that’s about double that of electric models.

Taking up less space than other options, propane water heaters offer a higher level of accuracy in temperature adjustments and more choices when it comes to size and installation.

Propane Furnace: Heat Your Entire Home

When outdoor temperatures drop, a propane furnace will keep your home warm and cozy. Heat from your high-powered propane furnace will get the job done rather than leave you with a big chill like old, inefficient electric heat systems often do.

Propane furnaces can generate higher indoor temperatures than the typical electric heat pump. They’re highly efficient and will heat your home with thermal energy that does not require a backup system, saving you money on heating expenses.

Dry Your Clothes

Cut your clothes-drying costs in half with a propane-fueled dryer! These units take less time than electric dryers to reach the temperatures needed to dry clothes evenly.

Their moist heat also causes less wear and tear on your clothing, while the heat from electric dryers has been known to burn or discolor fabrics. Once your selected level of dryness is achieved, moisture-sensing controls turn your propane dryer off.

Keep these benefits in mind as you look for the propane dryer that’s right for you—whether it’s for a weekly laundry marathon or the occasional light load.

Cozy Ambiance with A Propane Fireplace

If you have an old wood-burning fireplace, it’s easy to convert to a safe, clean-burning propane gas insert. Here are several reasons to consider doing so.

• Propane gas fireplaces are virtually maintenance-free and come in many different styles.
• There’s no need for you to ever add another log or discard ashes afterward.
• Propane gas fireplaces are less of a fire risk than wood.
• Propane fireplaces produce a much lighter environmental footprint than traditional wood fireplaces. They produce fewer particulate emissions and less carbon monoxide compared with wood-burning fireplaces.
• Propane gas fireplaces provide higher efficiency than other options, producing twice as much heat as wood fireplaces but only costing about a third of the price.

Now You’re Cooking

Looking for more precise temperature control when you cook? A propane gas stove/cooktop is your answer, without the many limitations that come with an electric stove. You’ll enjoy a quicker response to temperature changes, especially when you’re lowering the temperature or shutting off the heat entirely.

Use Propane in Your Yard

Enjoy the advantages of propane in your backyard as well! Your options include propane patio heaters, propane pool heaters, propane-fueled firepits and propane lighting.

Of course, the most popular use of propane outdoors is the reliable propane grill, which lets you skip the dangerous chemicals, starter-fluid smell and mess that come with charcoal grills. You’ll enjoy improved cooking performance also, whether you’re using a simple, portable grill or a high-tech, built-in design.

Read more about propane appliances.

How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?

Not All Water Heaters Need to Store Hot Water

If people were asked to describe a water heater, they might say it looks a lot like a giant tin can. Of course, what they would be describing is the storage tank for a typical water heater. The many gallons of water inside the tank stays heated thanks to a gas burner located at the bottom of the tank. If you have an electric water heater, your water stays hot due to electric heating elements. But not all hot water heaters need to store hot water.

Many of the new water heaters being installed today in New York and elsewhere simply heat water on-demand, accessing water directly from a water pipe. This type of unit is called a tankless water heater. Often fueled by propane gas, a tankless water heater is a great way to lower your energy bills while making the process of heating water much more efficient.

Additionally, tankless water heaters require such a small space that you will actually be able to reclaim all that square footage your old water heater was taking up. Most tankless units hang on a wall and are about the size of a small suitcase. You can expect them to last about twice as long as a standard storage-tank water heater.

How A Tankless Water Heater Works

A tankless system eliminates the standby energy losses that occur in storage-tank systems because they only heat water on demand. A propane instant water heater is compact in size, provides superior energy efficiency, and delivers a plentiful supply of hot water.

That’s because a tankless water heater can average a flow rate of about 222 gallons per hour, more than three times the delivery rate of a standard 50-gallon electric storage-tank water heater (62 gallons in the first hour). This dramatic difference in performance can mean the difference between taking a hot shower or a cold shower!

With a tankless water heater: when you turn on your hot water faucets or an appliance like a dishwasher, water is circulated through the tankless unit’s heat exchanger and delivered on-demand. Your energy efficiency will improve up to 40% and you’ll have access to unlimited amounts of hot water. That’s because you won’t have to worry anymore about your hot water tank draining and having to refill and reheat.

And while it’s true that a tankless propane water heater has a higher upfront cost than a traditional storage-tank water heater, you can save a lot of money on your water heating bills. Those savings certainly add up as the years go by.

Propane Tankless Water Heaters: 9 Benefits

1. Tankless water heaters deliver a virtually endless supply of water.
2. Their compact size saves roughly 12 square feet of floor space.
3. These systems are on-demand, so they heat water only when it’s needed. That feature eliminates standby losses that occur in systems with hot water storage tanks like the typical electric storage tank water heater.
4. On average, they save about $150 per year in energy costs compared with typical electric storage water heaters.
5. They generate 50-60% lower carbon dioxide(CO2) emissions compared with electric water storage tank systems.
6. Propane tankless systems also qualify for rebates, which can make them even more cost-effective.
7. Unlike with storage tank water heaters, you won’t have to worry about gallons of water spilling into your home if a major leak occurs.
8. Because the air supply and exhaust vents of a tankless water heater are sealed, carbon monoxide gas can’t leak into your home because of a back-drafting issue.
9. Tankless units make your home more energy-efficient while adding to its value as well.

So why not heat as much water as you need without paying to keep it stored? Remember, with a tankless model, you benefit from a constant supply. Simply turn on the hot water faucet!

You can read about the pros and cons of a tankless unit if you’re considering a water heater replacement.

And be sure to read about the value of choosing propane when you’re ready for your next water heater installation.

The Truth About Gas Stoves

Will All Gas Stoves Be Banned in New York?

Are you aware that starting next year, certain types of new buildings in New York City will have a gas stove ban? Besides gas stoves, in most cases builders in the city will no longer be allowed to install any equipment that relies on a fossil fuel to operate.

But that’s just the beginning. In an effort to reduce emissions and combat climate change, Gov. Kathy Hochul is also a proponent of a similar ban on fossil fuels in new construction throughout the state, beginning in 2025. The governor is also in favor of outlawing the sale of all heating equipment that burns fossil fuels — such as oil and gas furnaces and boilers–with a phase in expected to start in 2030.

This particular ban on all fossil fuel heating equipment, however, does not apply to gas stoves, according to Katy Zielinski, the governor’s spokesperson on energy and the environment. Exemptions may also be carved out for newly-built restaurants.

And while the state government is not going to force you to remove your existing gas stove, there has been a lot of confusion, fear and anger about what all of these bans are going to mean for New Yorkers. Learn more about gas bans in New York and what you can do.

This all comes in the midst of similar emotions recently experienced by a lot of people all around the country. In January, rumors spread rapidly that the U.S. government planned to confiscate all existing gas stoves from people’s homes. This is false.

At the moment, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is only seeking to obtain public input on hazards associated with gas stoves. The CPSC is the government agency that strives to reduce the risk of injuries and deaths associated with faulty consumer products.

Focus Shifts from Outdoor Emissions to Indoors

The issue of gas stove bans reached a new flash point throughout the country when the focus shifted from the environment outside to harmful pollution inside the home. This was due to recent studies that showed the potential for indoor air pollution hazards associated with the use of natural gas stoves.

So, what’s the truth about the potential hazards of gas stoves? Do all New Yorkers who enjoy cooking on their propane gas stoves have any reason to be concerned?

Evaluating Recent Studies

Last December, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published a study that concluded that “12.7% of current childhood asthma nationwide is attributed to gas stove use…”

Unfortunately, the researchers seem to confine their description to just “gas stoves,” apparently not realizing that there are some key differences between a stove powered by natural gas and one that’s fueled by propane. (More on that soon).

Cooking—On Any Stove–Produces Particulate Matter

Research that’s raised alarm bells over the potential risks involved in cooking isn’t new, however. All cooking—whether it happens on a gas, electric or wood stove—produces some particulate matter (PM). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines PM as microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems.

“Anything with a red-hot element is going to generate particles,” said Iain Walker, an engineer at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab who studies home indoor air quality and ventilation. “That includes most stovetops, ovens and even small appliances like toasters. Frying and roasting cook methods both produce a lot more particulate matter than boiling or steaming.”

As an example, think about all of the smoke that’s produced when you’re searing a steak in a frying pan on your cooktop. It’s not healthy to be breathing that in because of all the particulate matter the smoke contains.

This is why indoor air quality experts always advise using your kitchen range hood to vent particulate matter to the outside whenever you are cooking. If you don’t have a range hood, open a nearby window to achieve at least some ventilation.

The Stanford Study

An earlier study, done by researchers at Stanford and published in January 2022, revealed that all of the 53 natural gas stoves observed leaked methane gas, even when turned off. The research team also wrote: “In addition to methane emissions, co-emitted health-damaging air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released into home air and can trigger respiratory diseases.”

Nitrogen dioxide has been shown to contribute to breathing problems like asthma. A 2016 study at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab found that the simple act of boiling water on a natural gas stove produces nearly twice the amount of nitrogen dioxide than the outdoor standard established by the EPA. Considering that about one-third homes in our country use natural gas for cooking, that’s something that needs to be addressed.

Propane Gas Stoves Vs. Natural Gas Stoves

Here is a critical point we have not seen addressed in either of these studies. Concerns have long been raised about methane leaks coming from natural gas beyond indoor emissions from stoves fueled by natural gas. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and it’s the main component of natural gas.

Now, compare that to propane. In its original form, propane is not a greenhouse gas and it’s considered a “green” fuel because of its low carbon content. Unlike natural gas, propane does not contain any methane gas!

Besides the type of gas used to power your stove, the major difference between a propane stove and a natural gas stove are the gas jet nozzles. Because propane is highly pressurized, the nozzles have much smaller holes. Natural gas isn’t pressurized as much as propane, so the nozzles have larger holes. That’s the reason propane and natural gas stoves can’t be interchanged as is. If you wanted to switch from a natural gas stove to one that’s fueled by propane, you would need to get a propane conversion kit for stoves. This is needed to replace the gas jets. This job is best left to a professional, however.

The Propane Industry Responds

The Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) pointed out that there are competing studies about the adverse impact to indoor air quality that various types of stoves produce.

PERC cited The Lancet Respiratory Medicine abstract, which states: “…we detected no evidence of an association between the use of gas as a cooking fuel and either asthma symptoms or asthma diagnosis.”

PERC also found flaws in the Stanford study’s findings (noted above). “These are based on an extremely small sample size and unrealistic cooking conditions and don’t provide a clear picture of …particulate matter generated from electric cooking,” according to PERC. (Electric stoves produce particulate matter…and emit dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde that can be toxic.)

Tucker Perkins, PERC’s president and CEO, points to a 2020 study by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that found that electric ranges cause household fires at a rate 2.6 times greater than gas ranges; civilian injuries at a rate 4.8 times higher; and civilian deaths at a rate 3.4 times higher.

“Am I suggesting we ban electric stoves? Of course not,” said Perkins. “Many factors affect things like indoor air quality and fire safety, and policymakers must weigh all of them.”

Perkins emphasized that work must continue to eliminate the presence of harmful emissions in and near homes.

“Rather than gas bans, states should focus on natural gas supply chains and mitigate potential hazards…This, along with proper installation, ventilation, and yearly checkups by qualified technicians constitutes a common-sense approach to addressing health and safety concerns around gas appliances.”

Residential Propane Tank Sizes

What Propane Tank Is Right for My Home?

Deciding on the correct size for your propane tank can be pretty simple, although there are some variables involved. Your New York propane supplier has a deep knowledge of typical usage, especially during the winter, so they’ll have a good idea what your propane heating needs are. Here are some of the other factors they will take into consideration:

• The square footage of your home
• What propane appliances you have in your home, such as a furnace, water heater, cooktop/stove, and clothes dryer
• The total BTUs of all of your propane appliances
• Whether you have a pool heater, which is a high BTU appliance

If you are concerned about price spikes in the propane market during the heating season, you could upgrade to a larger propane tank to get yourself fully supplied before winter. It also means you will require fewer propane deliveries. Your New York propane supplier can help you decide if that’s the right choice for you.

Here’s a look at the wide range of propane tank sizes available and how they can fit the needs of your household.

20-Pound Propane Tank

This is the size that most people are familiar with, especially for New Yorkers who just use propane for outdoor cooking. With a capacity of about five gallons, these portable cylinders are used to fuel outdoor gas grills. They can also be used for outdoor heaters. If you only have a propane fireplace or hearth you use occasionally, this can also be an option since you can store multiple tanks outside (NEVER indoors!) for backup and you can easily refill or exchange 20-pound tanks at a propane retailer.

100-Pound Propane Tank

These tanks are the next step up from 20-pound propane tanks and can be refilled onsite. Here are some reasons to choose a 100-pound propane tank:

• You have an indoor fireplace but don’t want to travel to exchange propane tanks frequently.
• Your only propane appliance is a gas range or cooktop with wall ovens.

420-Pound Propane Tank/100-Gallon Propane Tank

Depending on your propane provider, this tank is referred to as a 420-pound propane tank or a 100-gallon propane tank. (A gallon of propane weighs 4.2 pounds). If you only have two or three propane appliances like a water heater, fireplace, clothes dryer or stove, this tank could be right for you.

150-Gallon Propane Tank

This propane tank size is used for low-BTU appliances and smaller demand uses like water heating and cooking. It can also fuel propane space heaters and wall heaters. But it is generally not enough for whole house heating.

250-Gallon Propane Tank

If you have more than three propane appliances such as a fireplace, clothes dryer, water heater, and stove, this may be a good size. It can also be used for whole-house heating, depending on your square footage.

500-Gallon Propane Tank

If you heat your home with propane as well as run your stove, fireplace, water heater, and clothes dryer, you’ll need a larger propane tank like this. A 500-gallon tank is 10-feet long and shaped like a submarine.

1,000-Gallon Propane Tank

Often used in commercial applications, this tank has the same shape as a 500-gallon storage tank, but it’s about six-feet longer. If you have a large home, use a lot of propane appliances, and heat your pool with a propane pool heater, you may need to go this big.

Learn more about your options in propane delivery or read more about propane tank sizes.

What is Propane Autogas?

It’s the Third Most Popular Vehicle Fuel

With diesel fuel prices still painfully high and inventory levels in the Northeast much lower than average, propane autogas is looking like a better option every day.

Propane autogas describes propane when it is used as a fuel for vehicles. Propane autogas is the world’s most popular alternative fuel, which is defined as any product that bypasses the two big traditional petroleum fuels: gasoline and diesel.

In 2022, there were an estimated 27 million vehicles in the world that relied on propane autogas. This includes school buses, taxis, shuttles, delivery and construction trucks, and more. There are also thousands of propane autogas fueling stations in the U.S., with stations in every state. Read more facts about propane autogas.

According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center, 60% of alternative-fuel vehicles nationwide are powered by propane. Overall, propane autogas is the third most popular vehicle fuel, next to gasoline and diesel. Its popularity has led to an array of innovations in vehicles that use propane autogas.

Propane vs. Diesel and Gasoline Vehicles

Here are three key areas where propane-fueled vehicles have an edge over those that rely on diesel or gasoline.

Fuel: You can generally count on an average savings of 30 to 40 % per mile driven with propane autogas, considering both the cost of the fuel itself and the expected fuel economy. Historically, propane has been 30% less than gasoline, and the savings are even greater over diesel now, especially in the wake of the alarming price increases we’ve seen this year.

Fluids: New, lower emissions diesel technology presents extra costs because diesel emissions fluid needs to be purchased, stored, and changed. Plus, in cold temperatures, diesel vehicles need anti-gel fluids to prevent fuel filters and fuel lines from clogging. If your fleet runs on propane autogas, however, you will benefit from reliable performance in any type of weather without the need and extra expense of additional fluids.

Filters: To meet emissions requirements, today’s diesel technology requires diesel particulate filters that must be cleaned. Excessive idling accelerates cleaning intervals. These extra maintenance expenses just add more to the total cost of ownership.

Propane Vs. Electric Vehicles: Which Is Cleaner?

There has been much talk about achieving net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2050, and transitioning to all-electric vehicles has been a big part of the conversation because electricity is considered a “clean fuel” by many.

Although a battery-powered electric car itself doesn’t produce any emissions, the power plant that generates the electricity used to charge those batteries probably does. And those power plants are among the largest sources of greenhouse gas pollution in the United States.

Other obstacles slowing the move toward electric vehicles include low supply, charging infrastructure challenges, expensive upfront costs, and limited mileage range.

Converting Engines to Propane Autogas

For fleet owners who want the cost benefits of propane autogas but need the flexibility of a gasoline backup or who aren’t ready to purchase new vehicles, EPA-certified bi-fuel conversion kits can be installed on existing vehicles.

You can count on propane refueling technology to deliver as dependably as the vehicles themselves. Refueling with propane autogas is quick, quiet and safe. It’s the same experience as refueling with diesel or gasoline, making the transition to propane autogas easy for fleets.

Propane autogas fleet operators can also save money by taking advantage of the Alternative Fuel Tax Credit, which was recently passed by the U.S. Congress as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Read more about how you can qualify to claim a credit for every gasoline gallon equivalent of propane autogas purchased.

Learn more about propane autogas in New York.

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Propane vs. Electricity

Which One is Better for the Environment?

There are many ways using propane benefits the environment, especially when you compare it to electric power. To start with, propane produces 43% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than using an equivalent amount of electricity generated from the grid. That’s something to think about the next time you get a propane delivery.

In terms of efficiency, propane also generates more Btu’s than an equivalent amount of electricity. That means you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat energy. Also, clean-burning propane appliances are efficient, because they waste very little fuel in the combustion process. Propane also has a lower carbon content than gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, kerosene and ethanol, which is a big part of the reason it was added as a clean fuel to the Clean Air Act in 1990.

Those are a few reasons why, hands down, propane is better for the environment and for your home.

Propane Can Be Used as a Motor Fuel

There has been much talk about achieving net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2050, and transitioning to all-electric vehicles has been a part of the conversation.

Although a battery-powered all-electric car itself doesn’t produce any emissions, right now, the power plant that generates the electricity used to charge those batteries most likely does. Those power plants are among the largest sources of greenhouse gas pollution in the United States.

While production of electric vehicles and related infrastructure continues to grow, some technology remains in the development stage. In contrast, propane autogas has seen impressive technology advances in the last decade, providing fleets with reliable performance and savings while reducing emissions right now.

Autogas is already powering buses, police cars, street cleaners, and other vehicles in cities worldwide. Many businesses are also using propane to fuel their vehicles.

Propane’s lesser environmental impact is what makes this fuel a leading alternative for vehicles of all kinds. Since propane has a lower carbon content than petroleum products, it creates fewer toxic emissions and burns cleaner. Some estimates show that converting a vehicle to propane autogas can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 90%. Your vehicle’s engine could even last longer with propane.

On the Horizon: Renewable Propane

The success story of propane and the environment doesn’t end here. Renewable propane represents the next step towards a zero-carbon emissions future.

While it is not in common use yet, renewable propane gas has positioned itself to be a major part of the clean fuel conversation in the years ahead.

Just as conventional propane is a coproduct of crude oil and natural gas extraction, most renewable propane can be considered a coproduct of biofuel creation. Many of the same feedstocks that go into creating biofuel — animal oils, vegetable oils, biomass — are used to create renewable propane.

Read more about why having a propane tank on your property to heat your home is better than relying on an aging electrical grid that’s prone to power outages. And then contact your New York propane company if you want to explore ways to expand your use of propane.