Typical energy bills

[The White Rabbit]

These are all good points. Thanks again. I worked in the petroleum pipeline and fuel storage industry for 40 years and have a lot of experience with diesel #2, with fuel oils and with propane pipelines. I'm very comfortable with protecting fuel quality and highly committed to preventive maintenance. I like the idea of a propane generator so that I'm not at the mercy of one fuel type. I've seen a wide variety of problems with fuel and propane distribution systems and the effect on availability and cost. I think I'll put my eggs in two baskets and not rely on a single fuel type to heat the home.

[92greenyj]

Originally Posted by OutdoorLover

I think I see what you're after there - it simplifies managing the fuel if you have one fuel type and reservoir for both heating and generator, so that would be an advantage.

At least for the generator, I'd prefer propane. Propane isn't the cheapest fuel, but the generator is only being used intermittently. The nice thing about propane is that it ignites readily and it burns really clean, leaving virtually no residues, which should make the generator require less maintenance and be more reliable. For something that sits around most of the time, but absolutely must work when called upon, that's a good property.

The other benefit with a propane generator is fuel stability. Unlike diesel and gasoline, propane doesn’t go bad after sitting in the tank for too long. It also doesn’t gel in extreme cold like diesel fuel does.

The property we purchased has a whole home Generac standby generator that is propane fueled which is perfect. If it had t had it already it is exactly what I would have purchased for the house.