Sign Up for News Updates
In 2021, the Propane Construction Research Program was created to generate research about the benefits and usage of propane in the residential construction industry. Builders share installation information and emissions comparisons for houses they built with propane vs. all-electric in a specific location. Qualified builders can earn up to $1,500 per home for participating in this research and data collection. The program uses the Energy Planning Analysis Tool (EPAT) developed by the Carbon Management Information Center (CMIC) to analyze electric grid emissions and the efficiency of the appliances being installed. It then uses Energy Information Administration (EIA) data to model emissions from the power grid. Data from the program shows that there is typically a net benefit and reduction of CO2 in houses built with propane versus electric.
Summary of 2023 Findings
The program shows that propane-powered appliances are more efficient, produce far fewer emissions than other energy sources, and can reduce costs for homeowners. For example, a propane-fueled furnace is expected to last up to 50% longer than an electric heat pump, reducing homeowners’ equipment costs, and propane tankless water heaters offer on-demand hot water with up to 50% cost savings compared with electric options and also have a longer life expectancy. Propane clothes dryers are more efficient too, providing faster drying, more gentle heat that is easier on clothes, and up to 20% reduced energy use. Propane fireplaces have greater heating capacity and energy efficiency than electric or wood fireplaces, with zero cleanup. High-efficiency propane-fueled fireplaces can even achieve efficiency ratings above 90%. In total, propane appliances produce 52% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to electric equivalents.
In 2023, builders from 25 states participated in PCRP and helped to eliminate 19,352,000 of CO2 emissions in 1,668 homes by incorporating propane in their projects. This is equal to the greenhouse gas emissions from:
- 2,094 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year
- 580,836,652 smartphones charged
- 990,023 gallons of gasoline consumed
- 1,736 homes’ energy use for one year
Project Highlight: Brookside Development
Brookside Development, a firm out of Derby, Connecticut, specializes in building energy-efficient homes—specifically zero energy ready homes. The company incorporates high-efficiency propane appliances into its projects in order to meet green building standards and attract homebuyers in competitive market conditions. Many of the firm’s customers demand gas stoves, gas fireplaces, tankless hot water heaters, and generators to provide electricity during power outages.
Brookside Development has been participating in the PCRP for more than four years, with 32 units approved. Brookside recently partnered with another local builder, Prestige Builders, increasing the firm’s volume of units submitted to the PCRP. Mark Nuzzolo, Brookside Development’s Owner, says, “We have been very fortunate to participate in the program, which has encouraged us to use propane in our projects. We began using above ground tanks, then partnered with HOCON Gas Company to lease buried tanks, and now use large tanks to serve multiple units [through a community propane system]. Propane is a viable alternative to natural gas. From a builder’s perspective, it is less expensive, quicker to install, and is cost competitive with natural gas for home buyers, particularly when a larger buried tank is employed. Propane is available on all new builds, and we don’t need to engage with a public utility, if it’s even available.”
Brookside also finds installation versatility a bonus. On single-lot projects the firm buries a 500-gallon tank, which the customer can either purchase or lease with a buyout schedule. In subdivisions or planned developments, the builder uses 1,900-gallon and 1,000-gallon tanks to create a community propane system. The customers have metered service with an agreed price, which means they pay monthly based on their service usage, but with a predetermined rate. Similar to single-lot projects, the development’s homeowner’s association has a buyout agreement.
Brookside’s most recent project is a 25-unit age-restricted community with five tanks of various sizes in a community propane system. Brookside provides the trenching, while HOCON provides the tanks, lines, and meters and installs the systems. The homes average 2,200 square feet and are built to high energy standards. Nuzzolo is a big
proponent of propane, exclaiming: “Thank you for helping us provide quiet, clean, and comfortable homes that are affordable to operate!”
Applying for the 2024 PCRP
New for 2024, research gathered in this year’s program will help answer the question of how much value propane applications add to a project. To participate, builders must complete a survey about propane use in the homes they built or remodeled. Survey topics include challenges participants are facing, consumer perceptions about propane, and project details such as comparable selling price and time on market.
Each project must include at least one of the following propane appliances:
- Boiler, furnace, hydronic air handler, or combi boiler ($500)
- Tankless or storage tank water heater ($300)
- Hybrid heat pump with propane gas emergency heat ($300)
- Additional propane applications ($100 per appliance)
There is also a $500 regional bonus if you install specific propane appliances (e.g., a standby generator in the western region). Applicants must submit a home energy analysis from the Energy Planning Analysis Tool for each project to qualify. EPAT is an online tool built into the portal that calculates a home’s potential energy use and modeled emissions data. Participating builders will earn up to $1,500 per project once emissions data and survey responses are submitted, and there is no limit to the number of projects you can submit. In 2023, $2.1 million in funding was awarded.
Participate in the 2024 PCRP
Now that you know how the Propane Construction Research Program works and its benefits for builders, homeowners, and the environment, we hope you will consider participating in the 2024 PCRP. Please follow this link for more information and to apply: https://propane.com/pcrp
