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Winter is a perfect time to think about renovations that bring warmth and comfort to your home. For homeowners who live off the natural gas line, propane is an earth-friendly option that can reliably and efficiently deliver warmer air all season long.
“When homeowners upgrade to propane during a remodel, they transform a dream home to include comfort and performance with high-efficiency appliances that have low-carbon footprints,” says Susan Kadilak, owner of Kadilak Homes, a construction, renovation, and interior design firm. “Not only do families stay warmer with propane, they can feel better doing so because it’s clean energy.”
Start with these tips:
Do your research. Talk with a contractor about what you’re wanting to accomplish. Your local propane supplier is also equipped to help you navigate questions and find the right solution for your home.
Think cozy. If your electric furnace is struggling to keep a room warm, consider upgrading to a propane furnace to get to your desired temperature more efficiently. Propane furnaces blow hotter air, which is more comfortable than the below-body-temperature air electric heat pumps produce. Propane furnaces also emit up to 50 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than electric furnaces.
Make your home more energy efficient. As homes age, small cracks can develop around doors and windows and let cold air inside your home or allow warm air to escape. If the seals around the windows and doors are damaged, invest some time in caulking gaps.
Upgrade your fireplace. A roaring fire can be a focal point during the cold winter months. With five to six times the heating capacity of electric fireplaces, propane fireplaces are more energy efficient, environmentally friendly, convenient to use, and easier to install than wood-burning models, Kadilak says. You can enjoy a toasty fire at the flip of a switch with no ash or soot to clean up and no firewood to store. Many models can also operate during power outages, providing a critical source of heat to the home.
