Whether you rely on propane or heating oil—or use both as your home energy sources—you can feel good knowing that these heating fuels are getting cleaner by the day while still packing the punch needed to keep you warm and toasty during the worst of winter.
Why Today’s Heating Oil Is Cleaner than Ever
In recent years, we’ve seen significant improvements in fuel efficiency and cleanliness, with vast reductions in the sulfur content of heating oil playing a major role. Here is why this is important.
➡️ Ultra-low-sulfur heating oil (ULSHO) has 99% less sulfur in it than standard heating oil.
➡️ The changeover to ULSHO results in a reduction in emissions of over 70%, compared with the emissions produced by heating oil from the past.
➡️ A buildup of sulfur in the heating system can lead to system maintenance issues. The drastic reduction of sulfur means that there will be far fewer system issues, which will result in lower maintenance costs for heating oil consumers.
➡️ Because there is virtually no sulfur in the heating system now thanks to ULSHO, heating oil systems can burn the fuel more efficiently, resulting in lower heating bills.
➡️ ULSHO opens the door for the introduction of super-efficient heating systems, which are already used with great results in other countries that use ULSHO.
Winter and Our Failing Electric Power Grid
The electric infrastructure in this country has failed us time and again, causing massive disruption, frustration, and discomfort. However well-meaning the “all-electric” movement may be, it is putting faith in breakthroughs that do not yet exist in an electric grid that is already unreliable.
Consider what will happen when the electric grid is taxed by huge new demand—caused by conversions of cars, commercial buildings, homes, and more. Imagine what a massive power outage would be like in the middle of a brutally cold winter here. (Tragically, we already saw a preview of that in Texas in February 2021.)
So, until our electricity supply is less environmentally destructive and not prone to numerous blackouts, it is simply not the best choice for staying warm in winter. Millions of Americans rely on propane for warmth as well as hot water and cooking. Thanks to propane generators, they can still enjoy all of these benefits even when their electric power goes out.
Easy Energy Savers
Keep these tips in mind to save money on your energy bills!
- Check your air filter monthly to ensure unobstructed heat from your furnace.
- Seal air leaks around windows and doors with weatherstripping or caulk to keep warm air inside.
- Get smart with your thermostat. A programmable thermostat lets you turn down your temperature while you are asleep or away, saving you money.
- Use free solar heat. Keep curtains and shades open in sun-exposed rooms to absorb all that free solar heat and energy during the day, then close them at night to keep the heat in.
Propane and Lower Emissions
Did you know that you’re doing your part to help the environment by using propane appliances instead of electric ones? It’s true! Propane produces 43% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than using an equivalent amount of electricity generated from the U.S. grid.* What’s more, propane contains virtually no particulate matter—a known carcinogen—and releases significantly less carbon dioxide (CO2) than other widely used energy sources.
Homes with propane-fueled furnaces also emit up to 50% less nitrogen oxide and 82% less sulfur oxide
than technologies fueled by electricity. These types of emissions contribute to acid rain and cause
respiratory ailments. But despite all of this, there has been an aggressive push from those in government to champion the increased use of electricity over other fuels, including propane.
8 Tips to avoid frozen water pipes
Keep your thermostat setting a little higher than 60° F if temperatures are forecasted to be especially frigid and your home will be vacant.
- Keep the main water valve turned off when you’re on vacation.
- Have a neighbor or friend check your house when you’re away to head off problems.
- Plug or caulk holes that allow water lines to be exposed to the cold outside air.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors where water pipes are located, allowing heat to enter.
- Check in and around your home for water lines in colder or unheated areas. Insulate both cold and
hot water lines in areas such as your garage, crawl spaces, and attic. - Consider a heated cable or electric heat tape if the area remains cold and can’t be easily warmed up.
- If the cold weather is sustained or severe, allow a small trickle of warm and cold water through the faucet.