Your Propane Needs are Affected by These 3 Things!
Even though the weather is getting less predictable, Long Island still gets quite cold in the winter. Because of rising fuel prices, you might be wondering how much propane you’ll need to last until the end of the season.
You can use a lot of propane over the heating season depending on a several factors. Is there any way to estimate how much propane you use at home this winter? Looking over your propane statements from the past year or two is a great place to start. You’ll be able to see how your usage fluctuates, so you’ll have a better idea.
Your propane usage levels are influenced by three main factors. They are as follows:
1. The Weather
This is the area in which you have the least control. It is likely that you will use more propane if winter brings record lows and long cold snaps.
2. Your Home
Do you have a well-insulated house that is less likely to be prone to drafts or heat loss? How old is your heating equipment, and is it well-maintained and energy-efficient? When it’s cold, do you use your propane space heater more often? Each of these has a direct correlation to how much fuel you use.
If your home is a weekend or vacation home, you’ll use much less propane than someone who lives there full-time.
3. Your Lifestyle
Lastly, your lifestyle matters. What matters most is how warm or cool you want your room to be. Other things can affect your fuel usage, too, like spending more time at home or going away for a few weeks. Your propane usage may be lower this year if you spent more time at home last winter, either for home schooling or remote work.
Usage Based on Your Home’s Square Footage
By factoring in the square footage of your home, you can get an idea of the average annual usage. It’s important to remember when using this method that some homes are more energy efficient than others, which directly affects usage. However, here are some average usage calculations based on how big your house is.
| HOME SIZE | AVG ANNUAL USAGE |
| 1,000 square feet | 430 to 450 gallons |
| 1,500 square feet | 640 to 680 gallons |
| 2,000 square feet | 800 to 900 gallons |
| 3,000 plus square feet | 1,300 gallons or more |
Usage Based on Your Appliances
Even though all these factors play a role, there are some general guidelines you can follow to get a rough idea. The average propane furnace for a single-family home on Long Island burns between 500 and 1,200 gallons of propane a year. It takes 200-300 gallons of propane a year to heat water.
You can see how much propane the appliances in your home uses in the chart below. Even though these estimates are yearly averages, these appliances will probably use more propane in the “winter” months-November through February-than in other seasons.
| APPLIANCE TYPE | AVG. ANNUAL USAGE |
| Propane Dryer | 20 gallons |
| Propane Stove/Range | 35 gallons |
| Propane Fireplace | 200 gallons |
| Propane Water Heater | 250 gallons |
| Propane Furnace | 1,000 gallons |
Liberty Gas Takes the Worry Out of Winter Fuel Costs
No matter how much propane you use, automatic delivery eliminates the worry, hassle, and expense of running out. We calculate your propane needs based on the weather and your household’s typical propane usage. We’re able to predict when you’ll need fuel and provide convenient, reliable delivery. Besides saving you time and money, this convenient option eliminates the hassle of watching your tank. You don’t need to schedule and wait for propane deliveries, and you don’t have to worry about relighting if your tank runs out.
Let Liberty Gas handle all your propane needs this season. Our friendly pros are standing by to help. Want to know more? We’re happy to answer any questions you have. Get in touch with us!