Propane as a Fuel Source
Propane goes much further than your summer grilling. For decades it has been used to power a variety of things from vehicles to appliances and everything in between. It’s become more and more a popular choice because of its low environmental impact, low cost, easy use, and non-toxin. But many don’t know about it rather than using it to cook hamburgers. U-Haul is here to change that and explain propane as a fuel source.
What is Propane?
Propane is a byproduct of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. For that reason, propane is also known as liquefied petroleum gas, often shortened to "LP gas" or "LPG". Propane can also be used as a vehicle fuel and is called propane autogas. It has been considered an alternative fuel source since the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
It is stored in a pressured tank as a non-toxic, colorless, odorless liquid. As pressure is released from the tank, the liquid propane vaporizes and turns into gas that is used in combustion. An odorant is added for leak detection and your safety.
How is Propane Used as a Fuel Source?
Many household items use propane. As we mentioned it’s used as an alternative fuel source. Propane is also used to power farm equipment, dry clothes, cook and refrigerate food, and heat homes and water.
Automobiles
Behind Gasoline and diesel, propane is the third most common transportation fuel with over 20 million vehicles and over 50,000 refueling sites around the world. The evolution of propane in automobiles started as many advocated for a cleaner, more sustainable fuel source. Autogas is a cleaner-burning fuel that provides less harmful emissions than gasoline. Autogas can reduce carbon monoxide emissions by up to 20 percent, nitrous oxide emissions by up to 40 percent, and carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 18 percent. Plus, autogas is less expensive than gasoline and diesel.
Currently, autogas is starting to be used for medium-, heavy-duty, and fleet vehicles such as garbage trucks, police cars, taxis, and city buses. South Korea, Poland, Turkey, and India all have a high percentage of vehicles that run on autogas. The conversation from gasoline or diesel to autogas is quite easy. Most engines can be converted in about a day or two, making it one of the many reasons why you should make the switch to propane autogas.
The lifespan of your vehicle will also improve. Due to autogas burning cleaner, there will be less carbon build-up, increasing engine life. The use of autogas will lower the electricity costs because vehicles using propane as a fuel source can start at lower temperatures and you’ll go through fewer filter changes.
Cooking and Refrigeration
There’s nothing like a gas stove, right? When you cook with gas as opposed to an electric range, you can save up to 30 percent on your energy costs with electricity being more expensive than gas in most states. The stove and oven heat faster when using gas, the temperature is easier to control, and it ups your cooking skills by being able to grill, sear, or simmer in a flash.
Propane refrigerators are less common but are still useful. They allow people to have refrigeration in any place that doesn’t have direct access to electricity, making them a great choice for RVs, cabins, and lake houses. But how long can they run on propane? Most last longer than 10 days running non-stop from a standard 20lb propane tank.
Home Heating
Can you heat your home with propane? Of course you can and weren’t not just talking about the fireplace either. While only 5 percent of U.S. homes are currently heated with propane, it’s a great way to heat your home. To change your home’s current heating system all it takes is retrofitting the home’s current gas line or furnace.
The benefits of heating your home with propane are like the benefits of using it in your automobile and cooking. It’s more than likely that propane heating will provide you with cheaper energy costs. It’ll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 68%. It also creates warmer heat throughout the house.
Advantages of Using Propane as a Fuel Source
Why propane? Propane is clean, reliable, abundant, and affordable. People use propane in a variety of ways as we’ve talked about. As countries put more pressure on electric grids, finding another reliable resource to use like propane is a great option because it can be used through extreme weather and natural disasters.
To follow the reasons we’ve mentioned before, propane being clean, accessible, and cost-effective makes it attractive to many people. Using propane reduces greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and air pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, making propane environmentally friendly. The United States produces the most propane and more than enough to meet demand. The abundance makes it a true clean-burning alternative to gasoline and diesel that can address energy challenges while long-term renewable technologies are developed. It saves people money. Oil is still expensive and propane simply is not as the supply is greater than the demand.
Where Does Propane Go From Here?
The future of propane energy is that it’ll become more popular. It’s rare to know somebody that uses autogas for their car or propane to heat their entire home. However, that could change drastically in the coming years. Many believe that in the next few years, 100 million gallons of this sustainable fuel will likely be available, and by 2030, that number will rise to 300 million. Back in 2020, U-Haul purchased its first million gallons of renewable propane, making it available to customers at U-Haul autogas facilities across Southern California. Propane has a handful of uses for a lower cost and to lean toward a cleaner planet.
U-Haul has over 1,000 locations for propane tank refills and offers propane autogas stations across the country. We also offer propane tanks, parts & accessories, grilling accessories, and space heaters. Fill up your tank today at your local U-Haul location!