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Commercial construction professionals and building operators considering high performance propane equipment solutions may not know where to start their research or where to find available equipment. Those wishing to either make a switch to propane or build out new systems with propane equipment must also understand the products available and how to work with manufacturers and their local propane marketers.
Fortunately, there is a wide variety of readily available propane-powered commercial equipment in the market for use in offices, schools, restaurants, hotels, institutional buildings, and hospitals, among many other applications. In commercial buildings, the five primary types of propane-powered equipment specified are water heaters, boilers, generators, combined heat & power (CHP) systems, and gas heat pumps and chillers. This tried-and-tested commercial equipment is available through numerous reliable manufacturers.
To make it easier for contractors, building operators, specifiers, and propane marketers to source this equipment, the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) has developed a convenient Commercial Equipment Directory. Users simply choose the desired equipment from a dropdown, then review parameters that will help to further narrow the equipment options and respective manufacturers. Let’s take a quick look at the five primary applications for commercial propane equipment.
Five Primary Applications for Commercial Propane Equipment
Water Heaters
Approximately 5% of the total energy consumption in U.S. commercial buildings is attributed to water heating. Inefficient traditional tank systems heat and hold water 24/7 even when it’s not being used, resulting in significantly standby losses. Propane-powered tankless water heaters offer high efficiency, on-demand supply, and reliable performance, making them ideal for commercial applications with high hot water demands. Their cost-effectiveness, durability, and ability to operate with lower electric demand during power outages ensure consistent and environmentally friendly hot water solutions.
Boilers
High-efficiency propane boilers provide efficient, reliable heating for commercial applications, offering lower energy costs, reduced emissions, and consistent performance, even during power outages. Their durability, wide range of heating capacities, and scalability make them ideal for meeting high heating demands and give builders the flexibility they need to provide consistent and reliable heat for their clients.
Prime & Standby Generators
It is vital that commercial buildings are able to maintain operations during power outages, not only for life-safety reasons but also because a loss in business or product can have major financial implications. Propane prime and standby generators deliver reliable, efficient power for commercial buildings, ensuring continual operations during power outages, with clean emissions, long fuel shelf life, and reduced maintenance compared to diesel options. A prime generator serves as the primary power source, designed for continuous, long-term operation, while a standby generator acts as a backup, intended for emergency use during power outages.
Combined Heat & Power (CHP)
CHP systems use propane or natural gas to generate electricity to power a home or building while also producing hot water that can be used for space conditioning and many other building functions. The heat and power used to operate a CHP are produced on site, eliminating efficiency losses from the power plant. Propane-powered CHP systems revolutionize commercial and industrial facilities by enhancing energy efficiency, minimizing waste heat and emissions, and delivering electricity and thermal energy precisely where it’s needed.
Gas Heat Pumps & Chillers
Propane heat pumps and chillers offer energy-efficient, cost-effective heating and/or cooling for commercial buildings, with lower emissions, reliable performance, and the ability to operate during power outages. Gas heat pumps use up to 50 percent less fuel than traditional gas heating systems and work at efficiencies well above 100 percent, even in below-zero temperatures. Propane cooling systems can meet various needs, such as comfort conditioning, process cooling, dehumidification, medium-temperature refrigeration, and extreme ambient operations. The systems operate like traditional cooling systems but use propane to power the compressor or ignite the gas burner, reducing electricity use by up to 90%. This makes them ideal in areas with high electric rates and limited infrastructure.
Using the Commercial Equipment Directory
First, choose the type of equipment you are interested in from the options we just discussed. It’s helpful to know some of the basic parameters for the equipment you are sourcing, as the directory specifies the type of equipment each manufacturer offers. For example, when looking for a water heater you will want to know:
- Size in BTU/hr
- Tankless, tank, or hybrid
- Wall- or floor-mounted
- Cascade rack system or cascade-capable
When sourcing a boiler:
- Size in BTU/hr
- Wall, floor, or cascade-capable
- Turndown ratio
When sourcing a generator:
- Energy needs in kilowatts
- Prime or standby
- Stationary or mobile
When sourcing a CHP system:
- Energy needs in kilowatts
When sourcing gas heap pumps and chillers:
- For heating, desired BTU/hour
- For cooling, desired tonnage
No matter your role in commercial and industrial operations, you share common goals: achieving exceptional building performance and service levels with efficient, cost-effective solutions. Propane is a clean, resilient, and reliable energy to help you reach those objectives. Please explore this list of manufacturers offering propane-powered equipment for commercial facilities to help you easily identify the ideal solution for your building requirements.
