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“Choosing propane allows a builder to construct a home wherever they want, and allows a homeowner to live wherever they want, with access to all of the features available in a modern home: technology, modern eating, modern cooking, modern outdoor living. By choosing propane, you live how you want and where you want.”
-Tucker Perkins, President and CEO, PERC
Propane provides homeowners the flexibility to build and live where they want without sacrificing comfort. It also benefits custom builders like Dillard-Jones, who sees propane as a key part of their home design and building process. Tom Dillard notes, “Propane is a versatile and reliable energy source that enables us to build high-quality, timeless homes that integrate well with the surrounding natural landscape. We use propane as an energy source for our homes during construction and when we turn it over to the homeowners.”
This is especially important in remote areas where access to utilities can be challenging. On Johns Island, homeowners are drawn to the area because of the expansive natural beauty, but natural gas service is not available. “Most of the places we build today, where people want to build custom homes, are not necessarily next to the city center. It can be really difficult to get utilities all the way out to these more remote developments. Propane makes that easy, because we can bring it to the jobsite, use it to build the home (because power can’t be hooked up until later in the project), and then use it to power the home after we’re ready for people to move in. Without propane, we would not be able to build in places like this—it really opens up more areas for us to build.”
At the Southern Living Idea House, propane is used throughout the main house and carriage house to power appliances and amenities, starting with propane-fueled copper gas lanterns that welcome guests at the entrance. The kitchen features a propane range, while a Heat Pump Helper uses a tankless water heater to provide energy-efficient supplemental heating in both the main house and carriage house. There are propane fireplaces in the living room and screened porch, as well as a propane-fueled outdoor grill, heated pool, and backup whole home generator. All of this propane is supplied by a 1,000-gallon buried propane tank. The local propane servicer maintains, monitors and fills the tank when needed, and the future homeowner will never have to worry about running out of energy.
Johns Island is an environmentally sensitive area that the community and developers work hard to preserve. The builder also chose propane because it is a sustainable energy source that fits with the island’s environmental ethos. In addition to the low carbon emissions and energy efficiency of propane systems, the propane tank is buried underground, so there are no concerns about groundwater contamination. The independent system is resilient during storms, with generators operating when the power grid goes down. The generator is sized for the number of propane systems in the home that must continue operating during an outage, including space heating, water heating, and stoves.
Custom Builders Build with Propane
Dillard recommends other contractors and builders consider using propane, not only for their clients but for themselves while they’re building. “I think propane is a great choice and that builders should take the time to really consider the alternatives. Customers are looking for more options when it comes to living exactly where they want to. Whether they have a large piece of remote property or they’re living on an island where they can’t get natural gas, they look for alternatives. Propane is the best option for the industry.”
Watch the video below to learn how propane brought this incredible custom-built home to life.
