Most people know propane as the fuel in a white container attached to a barbecue grill. But propane has long proven its versatility for heating homes, heating water, cooking, drying clothes, fueling gas fireplaces, and as an alternative fuel for vehicles. However, more propane is used to make petro-chemicals which are the building blocks for plastics, alcohol, fibers, and cosmetics, to name just a few.
Propane naturally occurs as a gas at atmospheric pressure but can be liquefied if subjected to moderately increased pressure. It is stored and transported in its compressed liquid form, but by opening a valve to release propane from a pressurized storage container, it is vaporized into a gas for use. Simply stated, propane is always a liquid until it is used. Although propane is non-toxic and odorless, an identifying odor is added so the gas can be readily detected.
Propane has a strong, unpleasant smell like rotten eggs, a skunk's spray, or a dead animal. Propane manufacturers add the smell deliberately to help alert customers to propane leaks, which can create a safety hazard. Take the sniff test. Teach everyone in your home or building what propane smells like.
Some people may have difficulty smelling propane due to age or a medical condition. Odor loss is also possible. This is a reduction in the concentration of the odor of propane.
Consider purchasing a propane gas detector as an additional measure of safety and security.
Maintenance Is Important
All appliances using propane must be properly maintained in order to operate safely, properly, and efficiently.
Only a qualified service technician has the proper training to install, service, maintain, and repair your appliances. Make sure you have a qualified service technician install and service your appliances.
Contact A1 Propane for a qualified service technician to perform an appliance inspection once a year.
Serious safety hazards, including a fire or an explosion, can result.
Air and moisture could get into an empty or depleted storage tank. This can cause rust build-up inside the tank. Rust can decrease the concentration of the odor of propane, making it hard to smell.
If your propane tank runs out of gas, any pilot lights on your appliances will go out. This can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly.
We strongly recommend that for safety reasons you avoid unnecessary risks by having a qualified, trained professional relight your pilots especially if your tank has run out of gas. Please contact A1 Propane.
Propane is a safe fuel to use in your home and business. Propane has a narrow range of flammability and cannot be ingested like gasoline or alcohol fuels because it is released as a vapor from a pressured container. In addition, award-winning preventive maintenance programs like GAS Check® (Gas Appliance System Check) ensure that homeowners understand how to properly maintain their propane appliances and enjoy a healthy, safe environment.
Propane is a trusted and reliable energy source that is used by millions of Americans each day. It fulfills energy needs by burning cleanly and efficiently, giving consumers more value for their energy dollar. People use propane in or outside their homes for furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, outdoor grills and appliances; on farms; for industrial uses such as forklifts and fleet vehicles; and in millions of commercial establishments, including restaurants and hotels that depend on propane for heating, cooking and other uses.
According to the US Department of Energy it could cost up to twice as much to operate your range, water heater, dryer or furnace with electricity than with propane gas. Propane gas furnaces and heaters provide more consistent warm air throughout your home at a lower cost than electric heat pumps and have a longer average life span of 20 years, compared with electric heat pumps’ 12-year average life span.
No. Propane is an approved, alternative clean fuel listed in the 1990 Clean Air Act and the National Energy Policy Act of 1992. Propane is one of the cleanest burning of all alternative fuels; new propane-fueled vehicles can meet the very tough Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards, and one model even meets the Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standards. Propane is also nontoxic, so it’s not harmful to soil or water.
It's almost exactly like natural gas or electric power with one major difference, propane power is delivered to you by a person, in a tank truck. There's no need for concern. In fact, just view it as the gas company representative paying you a visit to check on everything to make sure your energy supply is adequate and your gas system is functioning properly.
Propane tanks will sometimes give an indication of a leak by sound. People will describe this noise as a "hissing" noise coming from the tank getting louder as they get closer. Although product release is occurring in some capacity, it might not necessarily be a propane gas "leak". The sound may be coming from a bleeder valve that has not been completely closed or from a relief valve actuating. If you are unsure of the source of the hissing, please contact A1 Propane for one of our qualified service technicians to check your entire system to ensure that it is leak-free.
Contact A1 propane today at (386) 236-8005 for a FREE price quote!!