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Where Does Propane Come From?

A look at the fuel’s origin

propane Lakeville, MA If you are a homeowner here in Southeastern Massachusetts who uses propane, chances are that you are fully aware of everything the fuel can do and all the various appliances and equipment it can power. But have you ever taken a moment to think about propane’s origins and where it actually comes from?

Propane’s origins

There are currently two main ways that propane is produced and made.

  1. Natural gas production: This is how most of the propane that is used today is made. Through this process, propane is extracted from liquid compounds as natural gas is being produced. When propane is made this way, it is stored and transported as a liquid.
  2. Crude oil refining: The crude oil refining process can produce a variety of products. This includes gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, jet fuel, heating oil and propane. Since propane is a lighter hydrocarbon, it is easily extracted during the process of crude oil refining.

Propane is also commonly referred to as petroleum gas, LPG or LP.

Fun facts about propane

There is so much more to know about propane on top of where it comes from. Here are some additional interesting, informative and helpful facts about the fuel:

  • Propane doesn’t expire or go bad. It also doesn’t become less efficient over time.
  • It will only freeze if temperatures hit -44 degrees, which is pretty unlikely.
  • About 90% of the propane that Americans use is made domestically here in the United States. This makes it super accessible and also reduces the carbon footprint that is part of the propane transportation process.
  • Propane happens to be the only alternative fuel included in the 1990 Clean Air Act and the 1992 National Energy Policy Act.

Why use propane

There are many reasons to consider using propane over other fuels and gases. Some of the benefits and advantages of propane include:

  • Safety: Propane happens to be one of the safest fuel options that you can use to power appliances and a heating system.
  • Efficiency: Appliances that are powered by propane work more efficiently than electrical appliances.
  • Financial advantages: Anyone who uses propane-powered appliances is able to save on their energy bills thanks to how efficiently the fuel works.
  • Helping the environment: Propane is the eco-friendly choice when it comes to fuel. It is considered green, clean burning and non-toxic. In fact, propane is one of the cleanest fuels that one can use and it gives off very few carbon emissions.
  • Reliability: Propane appliances don’t rely on power or electrical grids so they will continue to work even during a blackout. This means you can count on them all the time!

Get your propane from W.H. Riley & Son

Both homeowners and business owners throughout Southeastern Massachusetts can count on W.H. Riley for their propane! We offer unbeatable customer service, competitive prices, a safety record that our competitors simply do not have and automatic delivery services.

Whatever your propane needs are, the team at W.H. Riley can help. Contact us and let W.H. Riley & Son become your full-service propane provider today!