5 ways to offset hydro costs with propane

When most of us think about propane, the first thing to come to mind is a propane barbecue. But you have to remember to keep your spare tank full so that you don’t run out of fuel mid-grill. With a 500-gallon (or so) tank onsite, a gas fitter can run a line to your barbecue to eliminate that problem. Do you ever miss your gas stove when you’re at the cottage? Rekindle that flame with a propane-powered range.

Anything that you might have at home that’s powered by natural gas can be operated on propane as well. Think fireplaces, fire pits, patio heaters, and so on. There are also propane-fired light fixtures that add a romantic flicker to nights at the lake.

If your cottage is off-grid, propane is an affordable solution for powering a furnace, a hot water tank, a fridge, or a freezer. Propane can also be used to power a backup generator if you’re on the grid but experience frequent outages.

According to the U.S.-based Propane Education & Research Council, the cost of operating a propane clothes dryer is 20 per cent less than electric on a yearly basis. And since the air isn’t as dry as with electric heat, your clothes will have less wrinkles.

Propane is naturally odourless so, as with natural gas, suppliers add a chemical—mercaptan—that gives it a rotten egg or skunk smell. If you ever detect that odour (and it’s not coming from the compost bin or your poor pooch), immediately turn off any appliances you’re using and vacate the cottage. Do not use your cell phone or anything else that could spark an explosion. Once outside, shut off the main supply valve on your propane tank, and contact the fire department and your propane supplier.