Clark W. Griswold, Jr. wrote:
wrote:
No one wants a propane tank around, unless it's absolutely necessary.
From an operating cost perspective, sure. If you are implying they (house size
propane tanks) aren't safe, there's no evidence of any problem that I'm aware
of.
No one wants a propane tank around when natural gas is available
because propane tanks are big, ugly, take up space and have to be
refilled. As for safety, they have all the safety issues of natural
gas, plus some of their own. Vehicles can and have caused major
explosions by driving into propane tanks. You can drive into a home
gas meter and cause a fire, but it's impossible to get an instantaneous
big explosion because there is no onsite large storage of flammable
gas.
Its kind of a moot point anyway, because you aren't likely to have a propane
tank if natural gas is available. The cost savings from using natural gas would
pay for the pipe to the street in no time.
Also, think resale time. A house without a propane tank is going to be
more attractive than one with it.
Again, a moot point. If you have to have propane, so will all your neighbors.
The choice isn't between propane and natural gas, its propane vs. all electric.
You'll have far more difficulty selling an all electric home.
Well, Duh! It isn't a moot point because whether to switch to natural
gas or propane was exactly the question the OP asked. Sure cost is
one factor, but it isn't the only factor. Also, no one can know for
certain which fuel will be cheaper in the future. Personally, I'd have
to be convinced propane was going to be significantly cheaper than
natural gas to justify the other drawbacks.