In homes that are built in colder parts of the United States, propane is an essential source of energy particularly in places where natural gas infrastructure is not as extensive. As an energy source, propane is popular in homes, water heating, cooking, fireplaces and backup generators in states such as Idaho and Colorado. Due to the length of winters, and the fact that most temperatures often fall to below the freezing point, the size of the home, the layout, and climate are all direct factors that affect the consumption of propane. It is an informational guide on the average Idaho and Colorado home propane consumption, by the square foot, to help homeowners estimate home fuel consumption, manage fuel expenses and delivery planning better and more efficiently throughout the year.
These are small houses, cabins, manufactured houses and seasonal houses. Average consumption is 350-500 gallons/annually. Despite having a smaller living space, the heating systems can be on during winter especially when insulation is old.
Typical of entry level houses and small family houses. Mean consumption is 50-650 gallons per annum. The furnace, water heater, and the kitchen are normally powered with propane.
The majority of popular sizes of homes in both Idaho and Colorado. Average usability is 600-850 gallons/annum. During long spells of cold, the demand for heating is significantly higher.
Larger and medium-sized family apartments with many bedrooms. Average consumption is 800-1,050 gallons/per year. Open floor plans and higher ceilings may add to the amount of heat being lost.
Frequently have other propane-based functions like fireplaces or garages which are heated. Normal consumption is 1,000-1,250 gallons/annum. The usage is also high in shoulder months such as early fall and spring.
Big custom-built or country homes with numerous propane appliances. Mean usage is 1,300-1,700+ per annum. These houses need proper planning of propane delivery to prevent its shortage during winter.
Idaho has long cold weather especially in the areas of north and east leading to extended periods of run time over the furnace.
Lots of Idaho homes use propane to heat their homes between October and April, which means that they use more fuel in a year compared to other warmer states.
Many households in Idaho are not in the urban centers where natural gas is not available to them, and thus, propane is their heating fuel.
Age and poor insulation of houses make them consume more propane to keep their homes warm.
Homes that heat water with propane, dry clothes and cook more often during the year.
In the homes of 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, the average propane consumption is about 700-1,000 gallons per annum, but this varies according to the severity of winter and the energy efficiency improvements.
Increasing altitude results in thinner air and propane consumption per square foot is high.
The daily variations in the temperature compel the heating systems to recycle at a higher rate, consuming more fuel.
Nighttime heating is still high even in the periods that the daytime temperatures are high, much of the year.
The access to other fuels is limited, thus a large number of Colorado houses use only propane.
The homes in Colorado tend to be bigger in terms of size in comparison with the rest of the country, which naturally drives up the demand on propane.
Homes over 2,500 square feet normally consume 1,200-1,600 gallons annually particularly in high altitude or even snow prone areas.
Whereas the size of the house determines the amount of heating required, the appliances establish the way propane is allocated within the house. The biggest consumer is space heating which takes about 60-70 percent of the total propane consumption. The amount of water that is normally used by water heaters in a year is 150-250 gallons, depending on the size of the residence and how the heaters are used. Smaller but steady consumption occurs with cooking appliances, fireplaces and dryers, which accumulates over the year.
The increase in the consumption of propane will have a direct effect on the annual energy bill, especially when gas prices are high in the winter. The bigger houses are more vulnerable to price changes and delivery time. Knowing the average usage per square foot can assist home owners to budget better, select the right tank sizes, and join pre-buy or automatic delivery programs to make prices stable.
There is no need to cut back on the use of propane at the expense of comfort. Energy consumption can be reduced by 10-20 per annum through enhancing insulation, eliminating drafts, switching to high efficiency furnaces, and programmable thermostats. In the case of bigger houses, hundreds of gallons per year of efficiency can be achieved.
Knowing the average propane consumption of Idaho and Colorado households (in square feet) provides the homeowners with the transparency required to organize fuel delivery, control expenses, and provide dependable heating in severe winter conditions. Smaller houses usually use less than 600 gallons per year, and bigger houses, particularly more than 2500 square feet tend to use over 1200 gallons a year. With the consideration of the size of the home, the climate, and the load of the appliances, the homes that use propane can make wiser energy choices that enhance efficiency, safety, and overall comfort in the future. In states in cold climates such as Idaho and Colorado, responsible home energy management puts proper estimation of propane use among its essential aspects.
What Happens Behind the Scenes Before a Propane Delivery Propane delivery has been seen to be easy for most homeowners. A truck comes, the tank is filled and the technician goes. But the process that the customers observe is only
Propane for Growing Families: Sizing for the Future Energy demands go naturally up as the family size goes up. A way of life that supported a couple of people might not be sufficient to the family of five. Taking more
NEW CUSTOMER? Fill out the New Customer Application to join IGNITE.
Save $0.05 Per Gallon with the IGNITE Program Learn more!
Be one of the first 200 New Customers to sign-up until September 15th to get $500 worth of propane, FREE! You’ll also get 1 year free tank rental when you switch!
