3 Questions Answered About Reliable Energy in Home Construction

Homeowners are looking for ways to have more resilient and reliable homes. According to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, homeowner spending on energy-related improvements has increased tremendously in the last 20 years. In 2021 alone, homeowners spent $111 billion on projects to improve their home’s energy performance. 

So, how can builders identify the appropriate energy source that is resilient and reliable, that homeowners can depend on for years to come? 

Identifying factors that have a substantial impact on the home’s energy source is a start, such as weather conditions and location. According to a Freddie Mac survey, 66 percent of homeowners are “somewhat to extremely concerned” about severe weather-related events impacting their place of residence in the next five years. 

One option is propane. From its efficiency to its adaptability, propane is an energy source that can uphold even the harshest of weather conditions. As customers continue to focus on reliable energy sources, builders should ensure they are ready to answer their questions. Here are the top three things builders should be prepared to discuss when asked about propane. 

Why Build with Propane? 

As a builder, you do not need to wait for the utility company to install a natural gas line to get started on new construction—this opens new lots for building, creating new opportunities to build anywhere. Propane can do everything natural gas can do, plus it goes where natural gas doesn’t or where it is cost prohibitive to run a gas line. Capable of powering a variety of systems and appliances, propane makes it possible to build cozy, high-performing indoor living spaces and dynamic outdoor entertaining areas where families come together. 

When building with propane, a local propane supplier will work with the contractor to understand the size of the house and its energy needs. Then, the propane professional will install a properly sized propane storage tank and connect the appliances. A 500-gallon tank can hold enough propane to meet the annual energy needs of an average single-family home and can be installed above or below ground. 

Propane also works well as a secondary energy source. It pairs well with other energy options including on-site solar, electric, and wind—ultimately increasing the reliability of a home’s energy sources. 

Is Propane a Reliable Energy? 

In February 2021, a significant number of Texans faced what most of us fear during extreme winter storms: a widespread power outage. The state’s electric infrastructure failed due to the demand for energy, which grew to a level that could no longer be supported by traditional power plants. The storm left residents without power, water, and heat for several days. 

Homeowners using propane systems or a propane generator can keep their homes running in these situations because propane continues to provide power regardless of the grid. Even more, propane doesn’t degrade, and the tanks can last more than 30 years with proper preventative maintenance. A propane generator can handle an entire home’s energy needs for several days and nights leaving homeowners confident that their propane-powered systems will pull through when they need it most, regardless of external factors. 

How Does Propane Perform in Extreme Temperatures? 

As temperatures begin to rise or fall, families depend on their home’s heating and cooling system for comfort and safety. However, when an entire community is relying on the same power grid for multiple days, overuse happens, and the likelihood of a power outage increases. That’s why it’s important to have an energy source that can withstand extreme seasonalities. 

Propane proves itself to be reliable in extreme temperatures. It is an independent power source that is stored on-site, so even when the power goes out, the propane system and its appliances can still function as usual. 

A propane tank can easily withstand extreme heat and has safety measures to monitor the tank’s overall pressure and capacity. 

Propane-powered portable heaters can efficiently raise the air temperature between 10- and 25-degrees Fahrenheit. Creating a warmer work environment for construction crews to keep job sites moving forward and on time. 

When the weather drops below subzero, homeowners can still rely on propane to do its job due to its extremely low freezing point of -44 degrees Fahrenheit. While minor pressure changes are common in cold weather, extreme cold can lead to more fluctuations. Fortunately, the fluctuation does not impact the efficiency of propane-powered systems or appliances, keeping homeowners safe and comfortable even in the coldest of seasons. 

Propane also delivers real benefits to builders, especially during the winter months. Propane-powered small engine job site applications can reduce carbon monoxide emissions by up to 50 percent compared with gasoline-fueled models. Its low-emissions profile allows propane-powered equipment to operate safely in ventilated indoor environments. This is ideal in cold-weather climates when construction timelines are typically halted due to frigid temperatures.

The desire for reliable and sustainable energy sources in home construction is ongoing. As builders continue to focus on crafting remarkable homes, understanding the benefits of different energy sources, including propane, is important to meet customer demands and to improve the efficiency and reliability of homes across the U.S.

Bryan Cordill is the director of residential business development for the Propane Education & Research Council.