A few months ago, my air conditioner completely died. I woke up in the middle of the night covered in sweat, and I didn't know what to do. The next day, I called an HVAC expert, and they came out to inspect my system. It turned out that it had failed because of filthy filters and a clogged return duct, which made me sick to my stomach. I had caused the problem, and I needed to learn how to fix things. My HVAC professional taught me a few easy maintenance techniques that I didn't know before, so that I could maintain my new system. Check out this blog to learn more about HVAC yourself.
If you're building a new home or replacing the heating system in an existing home, one fuel option you may be considering is propane. Kept in a tank outside of your home, propane can be a very convenient fuel source. However, it has both pros and cons, which you should think over carefully before having a propane heater installed.
Pro: You can fill up the tank when the cost is low.
With natural gas or electric heating, you are relying on constant delivery from a service. When prices rise, you pay the higher price, and when they go down, they pay a lower price. Since you have your propane tank filled every few months, you can wait until prices drop and then have it filled. This will save you money on heating fuel in the long run, and since a tank holds so much, even a few cents' drop in price can mean paying substantially less for your tank of fuel.
Pro: Propane is clean-burning and eco-friendly.
If you're looking for a safe and eco-friendly fuel choice, this is a good one. Propane is a clean-burning fuel, which means it does not pollute the earth when it is burned, and it does not create an environmental hazard if it is accidentally spilled. It is not considered a greenhouse gas, won't harm water-dwelling creatures, and will not harm birds, animals or people if it is accidentally inhaled.
Con: It may be harder to find an HVAC tech who works with propane.
Propane heating is a lot less common than natural gas or electric heating. Thus, it may be hard to find a company in your area that services propane heaters. Since there are fewer companies and less competition to drive prices down, you may pay a bit more to have a propane heater serviced or repaired than to have a natural gas heater serviced.
Con: Having the tank set up initially can be time-consuming.
Whereas a contractor may be able to get a natural gas heating system set up in your home within a day or two, setting up a propane system may take a bit longer because there is an additional component: the tank. In most areas, tanks must meet certain health and safety guidelines, so you may need to have it inspected by a local official before you can operate it.
If you're willing to wait a little longer for installation and can find a contractor in your area who works with propane, it can be an affordable and clean-burning choice for most any home. Contact a local HVAC contractor, such as one from River City Heating & Cooling, to see how they can best help fulfill your needs.
Share9 October 2015
