Posted: September 28, 2026
When it comes to heating your Vermont home, you have several options, including heating oil, propane, and electricity. Natural gas may also be available in some areas.
These days, many homeowners want to know more about propane and how it compares with other fuels. Does propane produce enough heat for space heating and hot water? Can it deliver the performance you need through a cold Vermont winter?
If you’re used to heating oil, those are reasonable questions. Here’s a closer look at how propane measures up.
A Btu, or British thermal unit, is a standard measurement of heat energy. One Btu is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1°F.
One gallon of propane contains about 91,500 Btus of energy. Natural gas, by comparison, contains roughly 1,000 Btus per cubic foot.
Because propane and natural gas are measured in different units, it’s important not to compare one gallon of propane directly with one cubic foot of natural gas. What these figures do show is that propane contains a substantial amount of energy in a relatively compact volume, making it well suited for space heating, water heating, and other high-demand applications.
Electricity can also be compared using Btus. One kilowatt-hour of electricity is equivalent to about 3,412 Btus, so roughly 27 kilowatt-hours contain about the same amount of energy as one gallon of propane.
Actual heating costs, however, depend on more than energy content alone. Equipment efficiency, local fuel and electricity prices, and household usage all play important roles.
Propane isn’t just a home-heating fuel. Its combination of energy content and responsive heat makes it useful for a wide range of appliances and equipment.
Propane water heaters, for example, can provide fast hot water recovery and are available in high-efficiency storage-tank and tankless models.
Propane can also power:
This versatility allows homeowners to use one fuel source for multiple household applications.
With propane, as with heating oil, your fuel supply is stored right at your home. That means you do not depend on a natural gas pipeline for your fuel supply.
Propane can also be used to power a standby generator, providing backup electricity when utility power goes out. Keep in mind that many other propane appliances still require electricity for controls, fans, pumps, or ignition systems.
Automatic Delivery and wireless propane tank monitoring can make managing your fuel supply easier as well. Instead of constantly checking the tank gauge or remembering to place an order, these services can help track usage and schedule deliveries before your supply gets too low.
Propane is a relatively clean-burning fuel that produces low levels of sulfur oxides and particulate matter compared with some conventional fuels.
Propane is also stored as a liquid under pressure but becomes a gas when released. Because of this, it does not pool on the ground or contaminate soil and groundwater in the same way a liquid fuel spill can.
Underground propane tanks may also be an option for some properties, depending on site conditions and applicable installation requirements.
Whether you’re remodeling your existing home, shopping for a new one, or simply exploring ways to improve your home’s energy setup, propane offers plenty of potential advantages.
Talk to the team at Roberts. We have the experience and knowledge to answer your questions and help you determine whether propane is a good fit for your home.
We can also tell you more about our propane services, including dependable deliveries, convenient fuel-management options, payment programs, and more.
Contact Roberts today to learn more about propane and what we can do for you.
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