Earth Day 2022 comes on Friday, April 22nd this year. But the truth that spurred the celebration of Earth Day so many years ago is something that each of us should keep in mind all year long.

When you think about Earth Day as it relates to your Central New York home – whether you live in Tully, Fulton, Cato, or anywhere else in Central New York, probably the first thing that comes to mind is recycling. Other things that may come to mind are using all forms of energy more efficiently, energy efficient appliances, and of course saving water.

One primary way you that think about Earth Day is by considering exactly how you heat and cool your home, what fuels you use to do so, and how those fuels compare to other energy sources.

Propane vs. Electricity

A huge number of homes throughout Central New York use Propane as their primary heating, cooking, and hot water energy source. Not only is propane environmentally friendly, but it helps in the fight to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the production of electricity is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, second only to the transportation sector.  Propane on the other hand produces next to zero greenhouse gasses or air pollutants, making it a significantly cleaner source of energy that can be used to heath homes and businesses across the globe. That also goes for using propane to heat hot water, as well as cooking, heating the swimming pool, and even powering personal and fleet vehicles.

If yours is one of those families who use propane throughout their home, you are helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 30% when compared with someone who has an all-electric home.  In addition, studies have also shown that direct use of propane for space heating, drying clothes, water heating and cooking can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50%.

So when it comes to Earth Day, think kind thoughts about Propane, while you sit in your easy chair all nice and toasty drinking that cup of tea you just made on your propane powered stove out in the kitchen.  Because with Propane, you will not only be doing your part to reduce your carbon footprint, you will also be using one of the safest, most energy efficient fuels anywhere.

Every winter in Syracuse and across Central New York brings with it the anticipation of spending more out-of-pocket for things like snow removal, gifts, mid-winter family vacations and home heating. So not spending any more than is absolutely necessary on home and hot water heating is essential to making it through a Syracuse and Central New York Upstate winter.  Here are a few tips to help you keep your winter energy expenses in line:

1. First, check your home’s insulation. Proper insulation means literally money in the bank. Keeping heat from escaping from your house should be number one in terms of home energy efficiency when it comes to wintertime in Upstate New York. Don’t forget to check around exterior wall power outlets and vents since these are likely place for heat to escape.
2. Keep ducts and vents clear. Make sure no furniture is blocking your ducts and vents. This is especially true for forced are furnace heating systems. Is that bedroom dresser positioned right in front of the cold air return vent? This can deal a body blow to your energy bill.
3. Don’t use exhaust fans any more than is absolutely necessary. This includes not only the kitchen, but also the bathroom. Exhaust fans contribute more to energy loss than you can imagine.
4. Have your propane appliances check to make sure they are as efficient as possible. While there are many misconceptions about propane as a home energy source, there are more New York households than you can imagine who use it to cook and to keep warm with during our cold winter months. A recent estimate by the National Propane Gas Association indicates that there are over 48 million homes that use propane to heat water, prepare meals, dry their clothes, and keep their houses warm.
5. Reliability. Using propane to heat your home is an amazing testament to its versatility beyond grilling out on the patio. With quality, reliable propane service, you not only have an affordable, home energy source, but you also have the peace of mind of great customer service. We will be there when you need us, even in the dead of night!
6. Get a “smart thermostat.” While you are shopping for gifts during the holiday season, why not shop for a gift for yourself that will keep giving for years to come? A programmable smart thermostat is an economical investment in lowering your winter energy bills for years to come, allowing you to cut the cost of your energy consumption by up to 12%.
7. Let the sunshine in!  Even on the coldest of winter days in Central New York, it can be bright and sunny outside. So let the sun shine in as much as possible and take the opportunity to let the radiant heat of mother nature come through your windows. Feel the warmth of the mid-winter sun while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and looking at the snowy landscape just beyond the window glass.

Start Staying Warm Within Your Energy Budget Now

With these few tips – and there are doubtless more you can think of – you can take the steps you need to take to make the most of your energy budget this winter, and stay warm during the cold, wintry days ahead.

Advantages of Propane Clothes Dryers

Propane dryers dry clothes more efficiently and are often less expensive to operate than electric dryers. Propane dryers quickly reach the temperatures needed to dry clothes evenly. The moist heat of a propane dryer is less likely to burn or discolor fabrics than the heat produced by electric dryers. Propane dryers also result in less wear and tear on fabrics.

And when you are considering residential propane service in Syracuse and Central New York, talk to the experts at Country Propane to make sure you take advantage of all the savings opportunities you can.

High-performance Propane Dryers Offer Energy-Saving Features.

Moisture sensing controls shut the dryer off when the selected level of dryness is reached. Pilotless ignition eliminates the need for an energy-wasting standing pilot light. Polymer-coated drum seals ensure heated air will not escape from the drum during operation.

Multiple temperature-setting controls allow settings to be adjusted according to fabric requirements. Diagonal airflow pattern provides faster, more thorough drying at lower temperatures. Timed cycles allow you to operate the dryer for short time intervals. Contact us for more information.

Propane Water Heaters

How Traditional Tank Water Heaters Work:

In a traditional tank-style water heater which most of us have in our homes, a propane burner keeps the water that is stored in the tank at a constant, pre-determined temperature, ready for use when you turn the tap in your kitchen or bathroom. In older, less efficient electric tank style water heaters, a heating element is used to heat the water in the tank.

Traditional tank-style water heaters used in homes and many small businesses come in a variety of sizes ranging from 20 gallons to 100 gallons, and are installed in the same manner as natural gas water heaters with almost identical connections and venting requirements. In the case of electric hot water heaters, there are even models with tank capacities as low as three gallons for very occasional hot water needs such as hand washing in an out-building or hobby shop.

When considering replacing your hot water heater, keep in mind that there are a variety of models available with different venting configurations, including conventional venting, direct venting, and power-vent models to meet your specific needs. But beyond traditional tank style hot water heaters there is another option: tankless water heaters.

Related: Propane for Home Heating and Cooking

Tankless Propane Water Heaters

Tankless propane water heaters provide a whole new level of water heating efficiency for your home virtually eliminating the expense of energy losses incurred by maintaining a constant water temperature inside a tank 24 hours a day, 356 days a year. Tankless water heaters, unlike traditional tank style water heaters, do not heat and maintain stored water for use when needed. Rather, they heat water only when you want it.  Simply turn on the hot water tap and a tankless hot water heater superheats the water in a coil which passes through a set of propane burners into your hot water line.

While tankless propane water heaters have a higher up-front cost, they actually save money in the long term by using less propane to heat your water. And while a tanks style water heater has an average life expectancy of 11-12 years, a tankless hot water heater can be expected to last over 20 years.

Tankless hot water heaters take up much less space as well, and can also be installed in convenient out of the way locations as well – on a wall or in a supply closet next to the laundry room or kitchen, factors which are important if you are looking to conserve space.