Even as the weather is getting more unpredictable—and more extreme—you can be pretty sure winter will be cold here in the Hudson Valley. And with the prices on the rise, you might be wondering what exactly to expect when it comes to how much propane you’ll need this season.
Figuring out just how much propane you use in your home is a great way to better predict—and manage—your winter propane costs. There are a lot of variables that can affect how much propane you use over the heating season. Looking over your propane statements from the previous year or two is a great place to start. You’ll be able to see how your use fluctuates and it can give you an idea of the big picture.
The three main things that influence your propane use are the weather, your home and appliances, and your lifestyle.
The weather is the one area where you have the least control. If the winter brings record lows and extended cold snaps, you’ll use more propane than if the season is average or mild.
Other variables will be different from home to home. Is your house well insulated and less prone to drafts or heat loss? Is your heating equipment new, well-maintained, and highly efficient or not? Do you have a propane-fueled space heater that you use more often when it’s cold? If your home is a weekend or vacation getaway, you’ll use far less propane than someone using a house full time.
Finally, your lifestyle plays a role. The main factor is how warm or cool you like to keep your rooms. But other things can affect your fuel use, too, including having more people in your home, spending more time at home, or being away for a few weeks for an extended trip. If more people were spending increased time at home last winter comparted to this winter—for home schooling or remote work—your propane could end up being lower this year.
While all these factors come into play, there are also some general guidelines you can apply to give you a rough estimate. On average, a propane furnace for a single-family home in our neck of the woods burns between 500 and 1,200 gallons of propane annually for heating. Heating water uses between 200-300 gallons of propane per year.
This chart can give you an idea of how much propane different equipment in your home can use. While these estimates are yearly averages, these appliances will probably use more of their total propane during the winter months as compared to the other seasons of the year.
| Appliance | Gallons Used Yearly |
|---|---|
| Propane Furnace | 1000 |
| Propane Water Heater | 250 |
| Propane Fireplace | 200 |
| Propane Stove/Range | 35 |
| Propane Clothes Dryer | 20 |
You can also check out this article from propane101.com to learn about some of the factors that can cause you to use more propane than usual!
There’s no crystal ball for what the season will bring. That’s why we are always looking for ways to make winter easier for you. Our Worry-Free Budget Plan keeps heating bills predictable and eliminates the pain of bigger winter bills. We’ll spread your propane costs into even, monthly payments based on your average usage.
Instead of several big bills over a few months, you’ll get predictable bills and pay one level amount every month, even if stretches of extra-cold weather cause you to burn more fuel.
No matter how much propane you use, when you’re on automatic delivery you can eliminate the worry, hassle, and expense of running out of propane. We calculate your needs using an algorithm based on the weather and your household’s typical propane usage. It allows us to accurately predict when you will need fuel and provide convenient and reliable automatic delivery. In addition to eliminating the hassle of watching your tank, this convenient option saves time and money. There’s no need to schedule and wait for propane deliveries, and you avoid the expense and hassle of pressure testing and relighting due to empty tanks!
Whatever your propane needs are this season, the friendly pros at Depew Energy are ready to serve you. Need more information? We’re happy to answer all your questions. Contact us today.