Common Questions About Heating With Propane

Aren’t propane and natural gas the same thing?

No. Natural gas, as its name implies, is a naturally-occurring gas that is used as a fuel source. Propane is a component of this gas, along with butane, ethane, and methane, the latter of which composes the largest percentage of natural gas. Propane, by comparison, is a byproduct of both natural gas and petroleum processing.

Why does propane smell?

Propane does not have an odor, so manufacturers add a substance called Ethyl Mercaptan to give it its distinct odor. This is the same additive used in natural gas, and it has been compared to a rotten egg odor. The presence of this odor serves to alert you in case of a leak.

What kinds of furnaces use propane?

There are three types of furnaces that use propane:

  • Central/forced air furnaces, which heat the air in a home via a system of ducts and vents through which warmed air is forced by the use of a fan
  • Combination furnaces, which use water heaters as the primary heat source, circulating air that is warmed by the water heater and then absorbed by an air handling system
  • Wall furnaces, which are usually used in small structures such as mobile homes or outbuildings because they do not require ducts in order to warm the space

Can you convert a natural gas furnace to run on propane?

Yes. Converting from natural gas to propane as a fuel source is a matter of a conversion kit that compensates for the differing pressure needed to properly operate the unit. However, not every natural gas furnace can be converted to propane; please contact your propane supplier to find out if yours can be converted.

How efficient should my furnace be?

The minimum standard for furnace efficiency as set by the federal government is 80%. A high-efficiency propane furnace is rated between 90% and 98%.

What other appliances can use propane?

There are a number of other appliances that use propane, including water heaters, stoves, and clothes dryers. Most any appliance sold as a natural gas appliance can be converted; however, you will want to consult your propane supplier to make sure the appliance in question meets propane industry standards.

Do propane tanks explode?

Short answer: no. Propane tanks are manufactured and tested within very specific industry standards. Tanks do not rupture on their own, nor do they explode when exposed to extremely hot weather. While movie-makers would like for you to believe that a propane tank will explode easily if struck by a car or shot with a bullet, the fact is, there are numerous safety mechanisms in place to help prevent explosions. It might look realistic on the big screen, but causing a propane tank to explode would take considerable time and effort.

Propane is a safe, clean-burning, environmentally friendly and easily portable fuel source. Of the more than 14 million homes in the U.S. that use propane, more than 6.8 million use propane for heating. Propane suppliers across the country utilize a vast network to deliver propane from manufacturing facilities to their customers. If you’d like to explore propane as a fuel source for your home, contact us.

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Changing Propane Suppliers? Here’s How

“Do I need to wait until my tank is empty before I can switch to Lin-Gas propane?”

It’s a question we field frequently from potential customers, particularly as the weather turns cooler and the days grow shorter. No one wants to be caught unprepared to face chilly mornings, and changing propane suppliers can be done easily.

Where to begin

If you’ve made the decision to switch suppliers, your first step begins with a phone call to Lin-Gas. Our customer service reps can help with setting up your account, including establishing credit and setting you up with a propane monitoring system, if you choose that option. A rep can meet with you at your home to assess the steps that will need to be taken, and can set up the necessary process to switch you over.

If you have a leased tank

If your current propane tank is leased through another supplier, you will need to make arrangements with that supplier to have that tank removed from your property. Lin-Gas cannot fill another supplier’s tank with propane. If the leased tank is an underground tank, you’ll need to contact your old supplier to dig it up and remove it. Lin-Gas will install any new tank equipment per the National Fire Protection Association’s standards.

If you own your tank

Lin-Gas does not fill customer-owned tanks and does not offer tanks for customer purchase. Instead, Lin-Gas offers tanks through a leasing program, assuring you that the tank installed on your property meets current, state-specific safety and inspection standards.

If your tank still contains propane

If you want to switch to Lin-Gas propane but still have propane remaining in your existing tank, you will need to contact your old supplier to make arrangements for having your old tank removed and the remainder of the gas credited to your account. In the interim, Lin-Gas will install your new tank and get you started with our service. You do not need to wait until your old tank is empty before switching to Lin-Gas propane.

Contacting Lin-Gas

Lin-Gas is available to our customers for 24-hour emergency service as well as non-emergency situations. If you’ve been considering switching to Lin-Gas, give us a call or contact us online and we can set the process in motion!

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