Better with Propane

North Carolina households love propane’s many outstanding uses

For many North Carolina homeowners, propane is the fuel in a metal container attached to a barbecue. But propane has long proven its versatility for warming up homes, heating water, cooking, drying clothes, fueling fireplaces and as an alternative fuel for vehicles. Propane is also used to make petrochemicals, which are the building blocks for plastics, alcohol fibers and cosmetics.

What is propane?

Propane is a naturally occurring co-product of oil refining and natural gas extraction. It exists as a gas at atmospheric pressure but can be liquefied if subjected to moderately increased pressure. This makes it possible to store and transport it in its compressed liquid form. When a valve is opened to release propane from a pressurized storage container, it is vaporized into a gas for use.

Propane is a low-carbon, methane-free, incredibly versatile fuel.

How is propane used in North Carolina homes?

Propane offers superior performance and virtually unmatched efficiency in a range of household uses.

Today’s propane furnaces have fuel efficiency ratings as high as 98.5%. Pretty much all the fuel you burn heats your home, and almost none is wasted.
Propane water heaters, when new and properly sized, have about double the recovery rate of an electric unit. Propane tankless water heaters produce endless hot water on demand with even less propane!
Propane dryers get laundry dry in a much shorter time than electric dryers. They also leave fewer wrinkles, so you’ll have less ironing to do.
Propane ranges heat up right away and cool down quickly, meaning less waiting and less wasted energy than with an electric stove.
Propane fireplaces and gas logs boast fireplace efficiency ratings of more than 90%. Wood fires have efficiencies of roughly 15%.

Want to learn more about propane’s environmental impact? Check out our Go Green with Propane page.

We can also provide you with useful propane safety and cylinder safety guidelines.