What to know when buying a propane-powered home

Moving into a new home can be overwhelming. Between packing, paperwork and more, there are plenty of challenges. But even if you’re new to propane, having a propane-powered home isn’t a challenge — it’s a benefit.

• Propane’s price tends to be more stable than other fuels, making your heating bill more predictable. Because no power grid connections are necessary, propane is more accessible and reliable during unpredictable weather.
• Propane is an odorless and colorless gas. Since you can’t see or smell propane in its natural state, manufacturers purposefully add a rotten egg smell to propane for easy detection in the event of a leak.
• Like water, propane expands when it’s hot and contracts in the cold. To safely account for this expansion, it is recommended that propane tanks are only filled to about 80 percent capacity.

Propane almost never goes bad. If it’s stored properly, no matter how long it sits in your tank or propane-powered generator, it will always be there for you when you need it. Plus, working with United Cooperative means you’re supporting a local business.

If you’re purchasing a new home that’s powered by propane, the following tips can help you get even more out of this reliable and efficient fuel.

With the right setup, a propane tank can take care of itself with little maintenance or energy from you. Plus, by having United Cooperative as your provider and exploring our deals and programs, propane becomes an even more reliable and affordable option.

We need the answer to this question for every new customer that we sign up. It is especially important for new homeowners, because some have never had propane before, and may not know the difference between owning and leasing the tank. “I just bought the house, so yes, I own the tank…” is the response we often get. We know that you purchased the house, so it makes sense to think that you must own the propane tank on that property, too. However, with propane, that’s not how it works. If the tank on your new home’s property was being leased by the previous homeowners, that is a leased tank. If a customer leases a tank from a company, no other company can fill that tank. The only company that can fill a leased tank is that company that owns it (and is leasing it out). Which is why it is so important to ask. This leased versus customer-owned practice is standard in the industry.

Generally, filling your tank in the summer in preparation for the winter will be less expensive because the fuel is in lower demand. To help control costs further, ask about our contracting options. Earn a $50 United Cooperative Gift Certificate when you refer new propane customers.

Propane appliances offer higher efficiency, less maintenance and, in many cases, greater convenience over electric appliances. Whether you’re exploring a propane-powered dryer, a tankless water heater or a new gas range, weigh the following considerations. When it comes to installing propane equipment, it’s best to hire a professional for installation. A contractor will be up to date with the newest technology and will be able to troubleshoot on the spot for any leaks or other issues. Safety should always come first.

Once set up, your propane-powered home should run seamlessly — with the added bonus of better efficiency and clean-burning energy.