Posted: February 2, 2026
Most people think propane is just for grills and camping. The fact is, propane is one of the cleanest, most versatile and efficient fuels around. It’s a domestically sourced alternative fuel that can provide steady, reliable heat at an affordable price. Propane also offers exceptional performance and efficiency in a wide range of home appliances at a much lower cost than electricity.
Here’s what you probably didn’t know about propane, and why so many customers in Vermont are adding propane to their home energy mix.
Propane is a byproduct of natural gas. Because it is compressed and stored in a liquid state, it is sometimes referred to as Liquid Petroleum Gas or LPG. It’s a domestically sourced alternative fuel that can provide steady, reliable heat for a range of appliances at an affordable price.
Propane is one of the cleanest fuels around. It produces minimal emissions. Propane also doesn’t harm soil or groundwater – an important factor when it comes to determining whether a fuel is “green.”
Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, and it delivers more than twice the Btus of natural gas, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy. Propane appliances are also very efficient, meaning they waste very little fuel in the combustion process. (On the other hand, about two-thirds of the energy used by a power plant to generate and transmit electricity is wasted.)
For example, propane water heaters generate much more hot water at a cheaper cost per gallon. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes that heat water with propane rather than electricity can see average annual savings of $174.
The same technology that makes propane ideal for water heaters makes it a smarter choice than electricity to power all kinds of appliances that use hot water or heat, including clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, outdoor lighting, patio heaters, pool and spa-tub heaters and outdoor grills. It’s also the first choice of professional chefs for cooking, because a gas range offers more precise control than you can get with an electric range.
Propane will also power a backup generator that will automatically go on when the power goes down.
Because propane is stored in a tank at your home, disruptions to the grid or natural gas lines won’t affect you. And when you work with a dependable dealer, like Roberts Energy, you can enjoy automatic delivery and tank monitoring service and know that you’ll always have propane in your tank.
Propane is very safe. While it’s a highly flammable gas under certain conditions, leaks are rare. Propane has very low combustibility, which means when it’s combined with air, the source of ignition must be at least 940°— twice as hot as what is required to ignite gasoline. Propane has a distinct rotten-egg smell to help you quickly notice leaking gas. And, propane is nontoxic, posing no threat to soil and water, so installing propane tanks (above or below ground) is not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The professionals at Roberts Energy have the knowledge, experience and resources to answer all your questions about the benefits of propane for your home. And, we can get you started, with the right size propane tank for your needs, reliable propane delivery and more.
Contact us for more information today.
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