More and more homeowners are turning to propane to power their homes. It is clean-burning and non-toxic. It also offers homeowners independence from the electrical grid in case of an outage or natural disaster. But, even though it’s easy to convert many of your home appliances, many people hesitate because they’re unfamiliar with propane and don’t know what to expect.

What is Propane?

Propane is a petroleum gas that is stored in liquid form. It’s a natural byproduct of natural gas and crude oil refining, and it’s one of the cleanest burning fuels around. It’s also non-toxic, so it poses little risk to the air, ground, or water supply. It is colorless and odorless, though commercial propane distributors add a chemical odor to help make it detectable. 

How Do You Get a Propane Tank? 

If you’re making the switch to propane, you can choose to either rent or buy your tank. If you buy one, the initial cost will be higher and will include all the piping to the house, fittings, and valves. However, most companies offer financing for the tank purchase and it will raise the resale value of your home. 

If you rent a tank, you will be responsible for buying and installing the rest of the system, including the pipes and valves. However, when you rent, the maintenance and any repairs to the tank will be taken care of by the propane company. You can also set up automatic refills for your tank, so you never need to worry about it running out. 

Is It Safe?

Propane gas is non-toxic and is considered one of the safest, most reliable energy fuels. But like any flammable gas, it’s important to follow basic safety procedures. Since propane is naturally odorless, ethyl mercaptan is added to give it a sulfur smell, like rotten eggs. Make sure everyone in the house knows what to do if they smell a propane leak, and for extra safety, have a propane gas detector installed in your home. 

Tri-Mart BP in Tripoli, WI, is more than just your average truck stop. At the gas station, you’ll find unleaded and diesel gas, as well as fuel and residential propane services. The fully stocked convenience store offers fuel for your body as well, with hot food, snacks, and beer. Stop by their website today or call (715) 564-2440 for more information.