According to Matthew Stein, who authored When Disaster Strikes, a guidebook for emergency planning, “Everyone should have at least one small, backup generator on hand to provide power for short-term emergencies and power outages.” This is important for both your safety and your comfort. Having a propane powered generator ready to go when disaster strikes will ensure you are able to keep your refrigerator running so that your food does not go to waste. It will also keep you and your family comfortable, by powering your air conditioning or heating system, as well as lights during the evening hours. A propane powered generator can even be used to power a television or computer during short-term power outages, which is important for getting news updates and important safety alerts from local authorities.
How to Choose the Right Propane Powered Generator for your Home
When it comes to choosing a propane powered generator for your home, it is important to consider your location, budget, and what you want to use your generator for in the case of a power outage. There are two main types of generators, which include permanent and portable options. Depending on your specific needs, the type of generator that will work best for your home will vary.
Permanent Propane Generators
Permanent propane powered generators are permanently installed outside of a residence and are typically powered by either propane or natural gas. As a permanent fixture of your home, this type of generator is wired into your existing electrical system, including a transfer switch that monitors incoming electricity. When a power outage occurs, the transfer switch will automatically disconnect your home from the utility line, connecting to a separate power line from your generator. Thanks to this wiring, when your electricity does go out, you will have your power restored within a matter of seconds. A permanent generator will not only instantly take over in the case of a power outage, it will also have the power needed to keep your entire home running as it normally would.
The main drawback of permanent generators is that they can be quite expensive and additionally require professional installation. However, if you live in an area that has frequent power outages and plan to regularly rely on your generator to power your home, a permanent generator is an excellent option. Permanent generators are also a worthwhile investment for those that live in climates that experience consistent cold and ice during the winter, as they can easily keep your furnace and hot water heater running in even the harshest conditions.
Portable Propane Powered Generators
If you live in an area that has consistent power and does not suffer from harsh winters, a portable generator may be a better option for your home. Portable generators are ideal for providing power to essential appliances during short term power outages caused by inclement weather. These generators are not wired to your home, and therefore must be connected to the appliances that you want to power by using extension cords.
Portable propane powered generators are an affordable option that will keep you and your family safe and comfortable during an emergency, without requiring the investment of a permanent generator. Depending on the model that you opt for, a portable generator should be able to power your fridge, some lighting, and a computer or television. They will not, however, be able to keep larger utilities such as heating or cooling systems or hot water heaters running.
Looking for a Propane Supplier?
If you are planning to purchase or have recently purchased a propane powered generator, and are in need of a propane supplier in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, or Tennessee, Lin Gas is here to help. Contact us today to learn more.
Our hearts go out to all who have been affected by the recent hurricanes in the Southern United States and the Caribbean.
Did you know that residential buildings including single family homes, town houses, condominiums, and apartments make up approximately 20% of energy consumption within the United States? This residential energy consumption is not only a cause of harmful greenhouse gas emissions and environmental concerns but is also a major expense for households across the country.
In response to environmental and economic concerns surrounding residential energy consumption, new energy regulations and standards have emerged—drastically cutting energy consumption in new homes—saving households money and reducing their carbon footprint.
For owners of existing homes, new regulations and standards mean it is time to trade in existing systems for newer, energy-efficient models. However, it can be difficult to know which upgrades will be the most cost effective in the long term. Fortunately, a recent report from research group Newport Partners LLC examined a wide range of energy efficiency measures (EEMs). They evaluated their economic, environmental, and energy performance to create a guide for homeowners and contractors deciding on which EEMs to prioritize when upgrading and remodeling existing residences.
Top Ten Energy Upgrades
The report evaluated the overall payback of each measure to determine the most cost-effective energy upgrades. In order to determine payback, the researchers evaluated the amount of time it took for the owner to recover the upfront cost of purchase and installation based on annual savings on energy expenses and the annual savings of CO2 emissions savings.
In the end, the report found that the ten most cost-effective upgrades included:
- Air sealing
- Attic Insulation
- Duct Sealing
- Window Replacement
- Fireplace
- Lighting
- Clothes Dryer
- A/C Unit
- Propane Furnace
- Tankless Water Heater
Energy & Cost Efficient Upgrades with Residential Propane
Several of the top upgrades identified by this study—cutting both emissions and costs for homeowners—included appliances and systems powered by propane. Below are three of the top upgrades powered by propane that households can make to cut their electric bill and carbon footprint.
Propane Clothes Dryer
The report found that opting for a propane dryer over a traditional electric model was a top saver of both emissions and electric costs. This was especially true in several cooler climates in the North East, in which payback took 5-6 years, saving <0.1 to 0.3 metric tons of Co2 in annual emissions.
Propane Water Heating
Switching from an electric water heater to a tankless propane model was also proven to be a major source of savings for homeowners. The researchers found that installing a tankless unit had a payback of only five years. Even better, the report found that this was one of the top switches homeowners can make to reduce emissions, with annual savings on C02 at 0.6 metric tons. Researchers also found that tankless propane heaters had almost double the life expectancy of electric models, while also producing hot water at a much faster rate.
Propane Furnace
The report also found numerous benefits for households upgrading to high-efficiency propane heating options. Data showed that homeowners in the Northeast that replaced an oil furnace with a high-efficiency propane model saw payback in as little as one year, while also drastically cutting C02 emissions, with savings offsetting gasoline consumption of 213 gallons annually. The research also showed that switching from a standard propane furnace to a high-efficiency propane unit had a one-year payback for homeowners in the Northeast.
Ready to upgrade?
If you are ready to see how much you can save by switching to propane power, LinGas is here to assist with your residential propane needs! We have locations serving Henderson, Bicknell, Livermore, Elkton, Evansville, Dale and the surrounding area. Contact us today at 1-800-850-4380 or visit us at https://lingas.com/ to learn more about using our residential propane services to power your home.
If you are in the construction industry, you are familiar with the need for a consistent and reliable power source for your crew. This is especially important when working on a site that is not yet connected to an established electrical grid.
When it comes to keeping your construction projects on schedule, no power source rivals propane for providing efficient, affordable, and reliable power to your site. Propane has many potential applications for powering your construction projects, with uses including power generation, site heating, hybrid lighting, and fuel for machinery used in flooring, roofing and other specialties.
Below we will detail three of the top reasons those in the construction industry turn to propane time and time again for an effective power source that gets the job done.
1. Heating
There are many reasons that a reliable heat source, like a propane heater, is critical to construction sites during the winter months. One of the top benefits of portable propane heaters is that they keep your worksite comfortable during even the coldest days. Keeping your crew warm and comfortable despite the elements will result in improved morale as well as a better work flow. Additionally, there are regulations in many states that require workers have access to heat on construction sites when the temperature dips below certain temperatures.
Aside from keeping you and your team comfortable and healthy through the winter months, propane heaters are also critical in maintaining warm temperatures that are needed in order to perform certain tasks in the building process. Some of these tasks that require warmer temperatures include drywalling, painting, and the installation of certain materials. Instead of letting a dip in temperatures derail your schedule, the consistent and reliable heat provided by propane heaters will keep your team on track, no matter how frightful the weather outside may be.
2. Generators
Propane generators are an excellent solution for construction crews working on sites that are not yet hooked up to the electrical grid. These portable generators may look small, but they can fuel every aspect of your site including your most powerful tools—no matter how long your days may be.
Portable propane powered generators are also easy to use and easy to store thanks to their compact nature. Even better, propane provides an affordable and effective alternative to gasoline powered generators that are often unreliable, unstable, and can result in spillage during the refueling process.
3. Lighting
Hybrid solar/propane lighting installations can keep your work site running well past sunset. These lighting towers are powered by solar panels but include an onboard backup system powered by propane that will keep your worksite well lit, even when the panels are not generating power. This lighting system is not only extremely effective but is also a cost-effective choice compared to diesel powered lighting systems. In fact, studies show that making the switch from diesel-powered lighting to solar/propane hybrid systems resulted in approximately $5,800 in annual savings for systems running 70 hours a week.
These are just a few of the reasons to consider powering your construction site with propane. To learn more about the many benefits of making the switch to propane, contact us today at one of our convenient locations serving Henderson, KY, Bicknell, IN, Livermore, KY, Elkton, KY, Evansville, IN, Dale, IN and the surrounding area.
According the the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating is the second largest homeowner expense — making up approximately 14-18 percent of the average household’s utility bills. In fact, the average American family spends anywhere from $400 to $600 on water heating alone each year.
If you are ready to cut down on water heating costs and opt for a better performing system that is environmentally-friendly, it may be time to make the switch to a propane water heater.
Propane water heaters are available in both tank and tankless models — each of which have different benefits over electric and oil models — depending on your family’s needs.
Here are three of the top reasons that either of these propane water heater models is the right choice for your household.
1. More Efficient
If you opt for a storage tank propane heater, you will save space with a smaller tank that out performs its larger electric counterpart. In fact, a 40-gallon propane option will provide your household with the same supply of hot water as a larger 50-gallon electric model.
Unlike traditional water heaters that rely on electricity, propane tankless water heaters provide your home with an endless hot water supply that is heated as you use it—ensuring your hot shower is never cut short. These models heat water only as it is needed for a more efficient hot water supply that can power multiple appliances at once. Even better, their tankless construction can save you anywhere from nine to 16 square feet of storage space!
2. Save Money
Making the switch to a propane water heater is guaranteed to save you money on utilities. The savings will vary depending on the model you choose. Propane storage tank water heaters save the average household 13 to 20 percent on energy costs each year when compared with electric or oil options. Meanwhile, tankless options save the average family over $150 dollars annually when compared to electric options.
3. Cut Down Your Carbon Footprint
Since much of the electricity used to power electric water heaters comes from coal power, choosing a propane-powered option is a much better option for the environment. In fact, making the switch to propane water heating models can your household’s carbon dioxide emissions by 35 to 60 percent, depending on the option that you choose.
Propane storage tank options have been shown to reduce emissions by 1,700 pounds annually when compared to electric models, while tankless options have been shown to produce about half the amount of emissions as electric models.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Ready to make the switch to a more efficient, environmentally-friendly, money saving water heating option? Propane may be the right choice for your household. If you want to learn more about residential propane services in Henderson, Elkton, Owensboro, Bicknell, Dale, or the surrounding areas, our family owned and operated business is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how switching to propane can save you money, while supplying your household with an endless supply of hot water.
Winter is finally over, and the long, warm days of spring are here to stay. As you spend more time outdoors this season, propane is an excellent fuel for transforming your backyard into a comfortable outdoor living space for friends and family. You may think propane can only be used for powering your grill, but this clean and efficient fuel source has a variety of outdoor applications that will make your backyard the place to be this season! Below, we share four of our favorite outdoor applications for propane.
1. Outdoor Fire Pits & Fireplaces
The American Society of Landscape Architects reports that outdoor fireplaces and firepits are the most popular outdoor landscape design feature requested by clients, and we aren’t surprised! An outdoor fire pit provides a wonderful place for groups to gather and make memories on a warm spring evening.
Building a traditional fire can be time-consuming and quite messy with smoke, soot, and ash. However propane-powered fire pits and fireplaces provide the warmth and ambiance of a real flame with the convenience of an on-and-off switch—allowing you to enjoy more time with friends and family.
2. Pools & Hot Tubs
As the weather warms up you will be ready to get outside and enjoy your swimming pool or hot tub. However, with unpredictable spring temperatures, a consistent and affordable heating source is essential! Propane is an excellent choice for heating outdoor pools and spas and has been shown to be more effective and efficient than electric options.
3. Attractive Lighting Options
Who doesn’t love a little bit of springtime ambiance when spending time in the backyard? Whether you are hosting a family dinner, a fun-filled game night with friends, or enjoying some relaxing alone time in your outdoor space, flame-lit lighting options will add an extra cozy feel to your yard. Propane is an easy and affordable way to power outdoor lights – and, as a bonus, they will work during power outages.
4. Outdoor Kitchens
When it comes to outdoor cooking, propane can fuel a lot more than just your standard grill! If you love to cook outdoors and are considering an outdoor kitchen space for entertaining, propane is an affordable and efficient alternative to running new gas lines. Opting for propane-powered appliances also allows you flexibility while setting up your outdoor cooking space, instead of forcing you to depend on electrical outlets as you design.
If you are ready to get outdoors and enjoy your backyard after a long winter, you may want to consider some of these applications of propane. Whether you want to power a fire pit or fireplace, heat a pool or spa, power decorative lighting, or fuel an outdoor kitchen space, our residential propane services have you covered. If you are interested in learning more, contact us at 800-850-4380.
We have propane service locations in Princeton, Dale, Evansville, Elkton, Livermore, Henderson, and Bicknell.
Propane fuel is the nation’s most common liquefied petroleum gas. That’s because it’s an extremely versatile energy source. Approximately 90% of the United States’ propane supply is produced domestically, while 70% of the remaining supply is imported from Mexico and Canada. Approximately equal amounts of propane come from the refining of crude oil and from natural gas processing. Propane fuel is a readily available and secure source of energy whose environmental benefits continue to be widely recognized. Here are some propane facts that you may not have previously been aware of.
First, propane uses on the farm are some of the most versatile. Propane can be used for crop drying, fruit ripening, space heating, refrigeration, flame cultivation, and operation of various farm engines including irrigation pumps, tractors, generators, and weeders.
Aside from farming, propane energy is used by approximately 60 million people in the United States. In fact, it’s the most widely used source of alternative fuel. An estimated 4 million vehicles worldwide are running on propane fuel, and 350,000 of those vehicles are being driven here in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center.
When it comes to recreational activities, propane is used by countless travelers and vacationers in recreational vehicles and for camping uses including gas grills, generators, and outdoor gas lights. Additionally, millions of people are already utilizing propane to fuel heaters for pools, patios, whirlpools and saunas.
Industrially, there are numerous businesses and commercial establishments that take advantage of all the benefits propane energy has to offer. Over 1 million hotels, laundromats, restaurants, and production factories use propane, many times the same way a homeowner does — for heating and cooling air, water, cooking, barbecuing, drying clothes, refrigeration, lighting, and more. Industrial factories also use it for space heating, soldering, cutting, annealing, vulcanizing, and more.
Overall, propane is an extremely useful and versatile form of energy. Its invention can be traced back to 1910 in Pittsburgh to a man named Dr. Walter Snelling. It has only continued to rise in popularity since its discovery, and for good reason — it has countless uses. From farming to residential and industrial uses, propane has something to offer for everyone.
If you are searching for an alternative fuel source for your forklifts that can save your business money and positively impact the environment, propane is just the solution you need.
Propane is the most commonly used alternative to gasoline and diesel on a global scale. Approximately four million vehicles worldwide and over 350,000 vehicles within the United States alone operate on propane gas.
Propane is also a popular alternative fuel source for material handling equipment used in commercial and industrial applications, powering approximately 670,000 forklifts in warehouses and factories throughout the country.
Making the switch to propane will greatly benefit for your business, the environment, and the country as a whole. A few of these benefits include saving money on overall cost of ownership, reducing emissions, and creating energy security for the nation.
Want to learn more about how you can cut operating expenses and emissions by switching to propane for your industrial needs? Read on for more details.
Cut Operating Costs with Propane Powered Forklifts
If you are looking for a way to cut operating costs, it is time to make the switch to propane-powered forklifts, which will save your business money in both the short and long term.
Compared to electric models, propane-powered forklifts have much higher productivity, as they are able to operate at a faster rate. This is especially important for outdoor use. When it comes to maintenance, a quick and painless propane cylinder change can be quicker than changing out a battery for an electric-powered model—putting your machinery back to work without costly delays.
When you opt for propane, you will also save money on maintenance costs, as propane-powered forklifts have much lower overall maintenance costs than those operating with diesel or gasoline fuel. In fact, propane engines can oftentimes last two times longer than gasoline engines.
Decrease Your Emissions with Propane Power
If your business is looking for a green alternative to forklifts powered by gasoline, diesel, and electricity, propane is the best solution, as propane produces less emissions than all three of these other fuel options. In fact, forklifts powered by propane create 19% less emissions than their gasoline-fueled counterparts and 7% less emissions than forklifts powered by diesel fuel. And, when factoring in all “site-to-source” emissions, forklifts powered by propane emit fewer pollutants than those powered by electricity.
Since forklifts and other industrial vehicles are often operated inside of warehouses and factories, air quality is an important factor, making propane a safer choice than gasoline or diesel.
Unlike diesel, propane does not contaminate the soil and water in our communities or release carcinogens into our air. You can learn more about the many environmental benefits of this green fuel option in this video.
Contribute to Energy Security for Our Nation
When you choose propane to operate your industrial machinery, you are opting for an American-made fuel option that will reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil while also creating jobs in the domestic energy sector.
Currently, the majority of the propane used by Americans is both produced and distributed within our internal infrastructure, with over 70 percent of propane used within the United States sourced from domestic natural gas.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy opting for propane fuel instead of traditional petroleum is an important step in diversifying transportation fuels within the nation and increasing our energy security.
Ready to Switch to Propane-Powered Forklifts?
Are you ready to make the switch to a clean source of power that will save your business money and contribute to energy security for the country? If so, Lin Gas is here to power your industrial machinery with our propane service powering Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Tennessee.
We have locations in many areas, including Henderson, Bicknell, Livermore, Elkton, Evansville, Dale, and Princeton.
Contact us to today to learn more about fueling your forklifts with propane.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, Propane.com, NPGA
In the winter, our monthly energy uses are expected to rise. With the exception of particularly warm winters, this should be no surprise. However, it’s still possible to budget your energy costs by making more conscious choices regarding your appliances.
Here are the following common appliances that may drive up your energy uses during these chilly months:
- HVAC Furnace – 200,000 BTU/hour or one gallon/hour
- Fireplace with ceramic logs – 26,000 BTU/hour or one gallon every three hours
- Gas cooktop/range – 65,000 BTU/hour or five to 10 gallons per month
- Tankless water heater – 40,000 BTU/hour or 1.5 gallons per day
- Gas clothes dryer – 35,000 BTU/hr or less than one gallon per day
So how do you manage stretching out and budgeting your gas usage during the long winter? It’s actually quite simple. Use the following tips to cut back on your propane uses.
- If your home gets toasty quickly, forego your heater and try to rely more on your fireplace. While an HVAC furnace can blow through a whole gallon of gas in just one hour, it takes three hours to drain one gallon with a fireplace. Of course, you should still keep your furnace on, just low, in order to make sure that your pipes don’t freeze.
- How often are you drying your clothes? Did you know that drying your jeans and some sweaters is unnecessary? Hanging them to dry better preserves their integrity and doesn’t cause shrinkage. Also, running your gas clothes dryer less frequently can help conserve your gas tanks over time.
- Don’t shower and run the washing machine at the same time. While it may seem convenient to take a shower while waiting for your clothes to wash, you’re probably not going to step into a toasty warm shower, and your clothes may not be washed properly. A tankless water heater may use up a lot of energy, but splitting the heat between two appliances may not always work out. It’s best to choose one at a time.
- Consider signing up for the Lin-Gas EZ-Pay option, which delivers filtered propane tanks to your doorstep at set intervals. Lin-Gas keeps track of your gas usage and will sign you up for auto-fill in case of a longer-than-expected winter and will deliver the tanks in set intervals. This way, despite your gas intake, you will always have as much gas as you need.
Propane is 270 times more compact as a liquid than a gas, making it easier to transport, especially in low quantities. When you sign up for our EZ-Pay program, you’re sure to receive as much fuel as you need to last you all winter long.
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