Propane: The Clean, Green, Safe Way to Power Your Massachusetts Home

“How safe is it?”

It’s one of the first questions we get when we’re talking to customers about a propane conversion for their Massachusetts home. We get it: here in New England, propane is still the new kid on the block compared to heating oil, so some unfamiliarity with gas heating is only natural.

But as a company that has been working with this clean, green gas for decades, we can say without a doubt that propane among the safest – if not the safest – home energy source around. Why? Here are just some of the reasons.

• The propane industry is heavily regulated by federal DOT, OSHA, and EPA compliance codes, along with a number of state and local fire and safety laws. In Massachusetts, all propane contractors (including our own) are required to undergo CETP (Certified Employee Training Program) training to ensure their work complies with every one of those laws and codes.
• Propane has the lowest flammability range of all alternative fuels (2.4– 9.5 percent); it won’t ignite until the air reaches 940° F., and even then must be combined with oxygen in particular ways to ignite.
• Propane leaks are easy to detect due to the strong smell that imitates the scent of rotten eggs.
• If liquid propane leaks, it dissipates into the air, leaving no toxic impact or contaminants in the water or soil.
• Propane tanks are 20 times more puncture resistant than other common fuel tanks, thanks to a carbon steel structure developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
• All propane cylinders from 4 to 40 pounds must be equipped with an Overfilling Prevention Device (OPD) that shuts down the transmission of propane when the tank reaches 80 percent capacity. This “80 percent rule“ gives the gas room to expand safely if outdoor temperatures rise.
• All propane cylinders and tanks must have a built-in pressure relief valve to reduce excessive internal pressure in abnormal conditions.

And all of the procedures and considerations above don’t even take into account the things WE do to make sure your propane appliances are installed, maintained, and operating correctly…we’ll talk more about that in a future blog.

The bottom line: propane is one of the safest sources of home energy around – not to mention one of the most versatile and efficient ways to power just about any equipment you need to keep your family safe and comfortable all year long.

Have any propane safety questions for us? Give us a call today – we’re happy to help.