Wayne Sullivan of Waterbury Center uses propane to cook, but relies on heating oil to warm his home, just like an estimated 40,000 other Vermont homeowners. 'It really becomes a matter of convenience as well as the cost savings,' Sullivan said. Heating oil has always been the dominant fuel source in Vermont because it is convenient and cost effective. But right now, propane prices are noticeably down in Vermont. The current price is about $2.68, between 15 and 20 cents less per gallon than it was this time last year. 'So, 20 cents savings is a couple hundred dollars in their pocket for Christmas gifts, or going out to eat. That's a great thing.
LPG is liquefied petroleum gas – propane. There are many similarities between LPG and CNG, as well as some major differences • LPG (propane) is denser than air at a relative density of 1.5219:1 vs natural gas (methane) at 0.5537:1, which is lighter than air.
It's a great thing for our economy,' said Matt Cota, Executive Director of the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association. But Cota said even with propane's price drop, it's still much cheaper to heat your home with heating oil than with propane. It takes about 900 gallons of propane to heat an average Vermont home in one season.
At the current price of $2.68 a gallon, that adds up to over $2,400. Oil has a higher heat content, so it only requires 700 gallons for the season, and even at the higher price of $2.91 a gallon, the total cost is $400 less than propane. That said, using propane exclusively for all your fuel needs does have its advantages. 'You can use one gas, one tank for so many uses,' Cota said.
'You can use it for cooking, you can use it for drying, you can use it for generators, you can also use it for heat and hot water, so propane, in many ways, is more versatile.' And for that reason, Cota said the popularity of propane is on the rise.
'Heating oil has shown some declines, but propane has shown tremendous gains,' he said. There may be plenty of propane in Vermont right now, but Cota said come January and February, that could change.
So, check your fuel tank now, before the holidays, and if it's less than a quarter full, make sure to call up your fuel dealer and let them know you need a delivery.