Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Alternatives To Propane Heating

For years, propane has been one of the most popular fuel sources for around the home. Clean burning and inexpensive, propane are used to power grills, heat homes, and more. Recent propane shortages have led to an increase in prices – and a decrease in availability; because of this, many homeowners are looking for alternatives to propane for their homes.

At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, our fireplace store has a variety of choices as alternatives to propane. Our staff of fireplace experts can help you find the right heating appliance to keep your home warm and toasty – without propane – this winter!

Other gas fireplaces and inserts

If your fireplace burns propane, switching to natural gas can be an easy transition. Like propane, natural gas is clean burning,inexpensive, and provides energy efficient heat at the push of a button. Existing propane fireplaces can often be easily converted to natural gas; our fireplace store has a wide variety of inserts in various sizes and styles to meet both your home’s heating needs and existing décor.

Wood burning fireplaces, stoves, and inserts

Wood burning heating appliances have come a long way from their inefficient origins. Modern wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, and inserts can be used as either primary or supplementary heat sources; with virtually unlimited choices when it comes to heat output, style, and more. Our fireplace experts can help you find the perfect wood burning heating appliance for your home.

While wood does not have the same push-button ease as gas, it is considered a more environmentally friendly fuel source. Modern wood heating appliances are more energy efficient and “carbon neutral”, creating the same amount of carbon dioxide as naturally decaying wood. Likewise, wood is a renewable resource; this helps keep supply steady and prices low. Homeowners can make wood even more affordable by chopping and seasoning their own firewood.

Pellet fireplaces, stoves, and inserts

For homeowners who want the look and feel of wood with the efficiency and ease of use of gas, pellets may be the perfect fuel source. Pellet heating appliances are fed using a hopper; while the fires do not need to be tended or stoked, the hopper needs to be occasionally refilled. Wood pellets come in large bags that can be stacked and stored in garages, sheds, or even outdoors. With a price comparable to firewood, pellets can be purchased at most home improvement or hardware stores.

Like wood, pellets are considered environmentally friendly because they are made from a renewable resource. Made by compressing recycled wood pieces that are too small to be used in other ways, pellets create fires that burn similar to real wood – with one major benefit. Their small size allows the pellets to burn more completely, leaving behind less ash and soot, reducing waste, and maximizing fuel usage and savings.

Don’t let high propane costs leave your family out in the cold this winter. Switching to an alternate fuel source can ensure your family has consistent, low-cost heat this winter. For more information on propane alternatives including natural gas, wood, or pellets, contact the fireplace experts at Clean Sweeps of Michigan today.

The Lowdown on Heating with Propane

Many homeowners mistakenly believe they must have access to natural gas to be able to install a gas-fueled fireplace; however, there is an alternative method of heating gas-fueled appliances: propane. You can enjoy the convenience and efficiency of a gas fireplace without having to dig up your yard to install pipes to connect to an underground natural gas source by fueling the fireplace with propane. You may be familiar with using propane with your gas grill, but did you know that propane can be used to fuel a furnace, a water heater, and a clothes dryer? While propane has many benefits as an alternative heating fuel source, it has a few drawbacks as well. We at Clean Sweeps of Michigan would like to tell you more about propane gas and its advantages and disadvantages to give you more information about this fuel option.

What Exactly Is Propane Gas?

A byproduct of petroleum refining and natural gas processing, propane is used widely to fuel central heating systems, barbecue grills, engines, and portable stoves. Propane can be converted into a liquid form by adding butane, and it is then known as LPG, liquified propane gas. First discovered in 1910 and then patented as an extraction process in 1913, propane was in mass production by the 1920’s and was used in millions of homes in the United States.

Propane Is a Green Fuel.

According to eHow, one of the main advantages of using propane as a heating fuel source is it burns cleanly and is more environmentally-friendly than other fuel sources. Propane is listed as an approved alternative fuel by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Clean Air Act of 1990. It also made the list in the National Energy Policy Act of 1992. Additionally, propane is non-toxic and water-soluble, and since it is a gas, you don’t have to worry about it spilling, forming pools, or leaving behind residues which are harmful to the environment.

Propane Is an Inexpensive Heating Fuel Source.

An efficient-burning fuel, propane produces many more units of energy than other fuel sources per dollar. Cheaper than electricity, the US Department of Energy has stated that heating your home with propane costs far less than heating with electricity.

Propane Is a Relatively Safe Fuel.

Thanks to the strict codes and regulations developed by the propane industry and the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), propane has an impressive safety record. With built-in safety properties, propane will not ignite when combined with air unless the source of ignition reaches 940 degrees Fahrenheit. However, propane does have its risks. A propane leak can be very dangerous as it is heavier than air so it sinks and becomes concentrated at the floor level, where it can be difficult to detect. Also, propane is stored under high pressure, and any sudden decompression or rupture of its container can be a devastatingly violent and forceful event.

Interested in using propane to fuel your heating appliances? Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan to talk to our expert staff about heating your home with this alternate fuel source.