Propane more affordable, efficient than most think

Article in Tennessean

Energy's costs to consumers and the environment is a topic of national debate. "How do we provide the lowest-cost energy to consumers while still protecting the environment?" is a question that many in Congress ask.

Consumers, on the other hand, notice the price of energy in the form of their monthly bills and gas prices. What consumers and many in Congress don't know is that propane gas is an efficient, cost-effective and clean energy source that outperforms electricity on a variety of levels.

A major misconception is that propane is more expensive than electricity. Propane products like water heaters and furnaces are actually more efficient. They heat up faster and provide greater comfort than electric appliances. Prices for all energy sources fluctuate yearly, and in some cases electricity may be slightly less expensive than propane. However, with efficient propane appliances, consumers will continue to see savings during fluctuations of prices. Propane water heaters can be given an Energy Star rating — the government's measurement for energy-efficient appliances — electric water heaters cannot.

Additionally, current cost comparisons in Tennessee show that having a propane water heater instead of an electric water heater saves more than $200 over a three-year period including installation. That savings dramatically increases when high-efficiency propane water heaters or tankless propane water heaters are installed.

Electricity's heavy footprint

A study commissioned by the Tennessee Propane Gas Association and performed by ESP Insights showed that a disproportionate amount of consumers believe that electricity is less harmful to the environment than propane. The fact of the matter is that isn't the case.

Tennesseans know that fossil-fuel-eating systems such as propane or natural gas release greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as CO2 as a result of the combustion of the fuel, but they don't realize that electricity is actually more harmful to the environment. In Tennessee, electricity is produced from power plants that rely on fossil fuels to create thermal energy, which is converted into electrical energy. The power plants consume roughly three units of energy to produce one unit of electricity, so the resulting output emissions are significantly higher than those produced by propane.

Another seemingly unknown fact is that propane provides greater comfort than electricity. Propane furnaces put out air that is actually 25 degrees warmer than the output of electric furnaces. This makes the heat feel warm to the skin and eliminates drafts and cold spots. Propane water heaters are more efficient and heat up faster, providing hot water longer.

How many of us have experienced the inconvenience of power outages during storms? Whether for a few hours or a number of days, it can be frustrating and sometimes even downright scary. Propane gas is a reliable energy source that won't go out during storms.

While electricity may power the lights and electronics in your home, propane serves as a safe, clean and reliable energy source for other basic home appliances ranging from cooktops and ovens to furnaces, clothes dryers and water heaters. Homeowners should consider the efficient and clean fuel that propane provides when deciding to install new appliances or building a new home.

HBH Gas Systems Featured in Sustainable Development Video

Harris Baker, President of HBH Gas Systems, is featured in PERC's Sustainable Mixed-Use Communities video which highlights propane's increasing ability to help builders gain a competitive market advantage by achieving sustainable value with exceptional energy.

Click here to view video.

Central Propane Gas System Enhances Lakeside Hill Country Living at The Reserve on Lake Travis

Austin, TX (PRWEB) July 30, 2009 -- HBH Gas Systems and the developers of The Reserve on Lake Travis have partnered to bring clean, economical gas fuel to the homebuyers in a new upscale community on Lake Travis near Austin, Texas. The Reserve on Lake Travis is located in a rural area that lacks access to natural gas, so the developers had to choose between building an all-electric community or implementing an efficient, eco-friendly Central Gas System from HBH Gas Systems.

The Reserve on Lake Travis is located on the south shore of Lake Travis. Stretching across 300 beautiful acres of the Texas Hill Country with 3.5 miles of pristine shoreline, the home sites in this community offers fabulous vistas. The tradeoff for building a community in this amazing setting was that extending the natural gas infrastructure would have been cost-prohibitive and logistically nearly impossible.

So, the developers of The Reserve faced the prospect of building an entire community powered only by electricity - the least economical and least environmentally-friendly power source. After consulting with HBH Gas Systems, the developers realized a portion of their community was an ideal fit for a Central Gas System. The portion of the community containing single family detached condominiums had a high enough density to warrant implementing an underground gas system. The gas system will also bring dual fuels to several of the community's amenities, including the grill, swim center and spa. The swim center will also feature an outdoor gas fire pit and gas torches to add ambiance to the gorgeous lakeside retreat.

HBH Gas Systems designs and builds Central Propane Gas Systems that provide clean-burning gas fuel to homes and amenities through underground pipes - the gas is metered and billed just like in a natural gas system. Homeowners strongly prefer homes with dual fuels because they can install appliances that are much more comfortable: gas ranges instead of electric stovetops, gas clothes dryers that are more efficient, gas heating, tankless water heaters, and many more. Homeowners also prefer dual fuels because their utility bills are generally lower than if using only electricity. Central Propane Gas Systems are the most effective solution to bring dual fuels to an off-grid development.

The wide range of applications, the environmental benefits and the added comfort for homeowners are just a few of the reasons why the developers at The Reserve on Lake Travis turned to HBH Gas Systems to bring dual fuels to their off grid community.

Feeling the Heat: HBH Gas Systems and Rinnai Increase Efficiency of New Developments

Austin, TX (PRWEB) June 30, 2009 -- Things are starting to heat up as the summer season quickly approaches - but homeowners who want cool utility bills this summer are making sure their water heaters are working to the fullest potential. HBH Gas Systems, a world leader in Central Gas Distribution System design and implementation, and Rinnai, Japan's leading manufacturer of home gas appliances, have joined together in creating the ultimate in economical and environmentally friendly water heating systems.

Central Gas Distribution Systems provide underground, metered gas utilities to developments that cannot access the natural gas infrastructure, typically due to cost or logistical constraints associated with extending the natural gas main. These systems allow developers to shift from inefficient, carbon-heavy electricity to more sustainable development fueled by gas. One home fueling its space and water heating requirements with gas from a Central Gas Distribution System in lieu of electricity effectively offsets the annual carbon emissions from one average vehicle.

A distinct benefit of implementing a Central Gas Distribution System is the builder's ability to install the economical gas appliances that more and more homebuyers are demanding - enter the super-efficient Rinnai tankless water heater. Rinnai tankless water heaters do not heat a large tank of water. Instead, the Rinnai heats water only when needed, for as long as you want it. Homeowners using Rinnai tankless water heaters will save tremendously compared to electric, or even gas-fired, water heaters with tanks. Coupled with the minimal footprint and continuous hot water, it's easy to see why developers and builders have experienced a surge in requests for these energy-saving tankless water heaters.

Take the Hill Country Harbor community as a prime example of pairing a Central Gas Distribution System with Rinnai tankless water heaters. This community is located too far from the natural gas grid to make natural gas an option. So, facing the prospect of a high-end community without gas fuel that so many discerning homeowners demand, the developers turned to HBH Gas Systems to design and implement a Central Gas Distribution System. Now, as the beautiful community begins to take shape on the shores of pristine Possum Kingdom Lake near Fort Worth, Texas, homebuyers are pleased to find the cabins, homes and condominiums equipped with Rinnai tankless water heaters.

Due to the world-renowned gas system design and implementation expertise of HBH Gas Systems, this community will install hundreds of Rinnai tankless water heaters in just the first phase of 200 units out of 800 planned. That means a world-class community with world-class living conditions, all thanks to the foresight of the developers, the outstanding products from Rinnai, and the clean, economical fuel provided by the Central Gas Distribution System from HBH Gas Systems.

About HBH Gas Systems:
HBH Gas Systems specializes in the marketing, design, and implementation of fully-engineered Central Gas Distribution Systems, sometimes called simply community gas distribution systems or just central gas systems. HBH also specializes in natural gas distribution networks both in the U.S. and abroad. To obtain more information about this project or about HBH Gas Systems visit www.hbhsystems.com or contact Harris Baker at 512-306-0073 or info@hbhsystems.com.

About Rinnai:
Rinnai American Corporation, a subsidiary of in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, GA. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances, including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances and heating and air conditioning units. Today, Rinnai is the single largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is the technology leader in its industry. Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $2.5 billion. With a global perspective to create 21st century products for the home and office, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and the pursuit of comfortable lifestyles. For more information about the Rinnai Corporation and Rinnai products, visit www.rinnai.us.

Central Gas System & Lakefront Community 'Hill Country Harbor' Take Shape Together

As the beautiful custom homes, lakeside condominiums and gorgeous facilities at Hill County Harbor rise from the Texas Hill Country around Possum Kingdom Lake, so does the fully turn-key, underground piped Central Gas System being implemented by HBH Gas Systems of Austin, Texas. Without natural gas, the developers had two options: either install unsightly and inefficient individual tanks at each home and facility, or turn to HBH Gas Systems to implement a turn-key Central Gas System that will provide individually metered gas through underground pipes to each building. The decision was easy to make.

Austin, Texas (PRWEB) April 14, 2009 -- As the beautiful custom homes, lakeside condominiums and gorgeous facilities at Hill County Harbor rise from the Texas Hill Country around Possum Kingdom Lake, so does the fully turn-key, underground piped Central Gas System being implemented by HBH Gas Systems of Austin, Texas.
The Central Gas System at Hill Country Harbor will fuel tankless water heaters, gas stoves, outdoor kitchens and grills, fireplaces, fire pits, lanterns and a host of other amenities and appliances.
The Central Gas System at Hill Country Harbor will fuel tankless water heaters, gas stoves, outdoor kitchens and grills, fireplaces, fire pits, lanterns and a host of other amenities and appliances.

Located near Fort Worth, Texas, this community sits in a rustic lakeside setting that is too far from the natural gas grid for extensions to be viable. Still, the developers knew that their discerning homeowners would demand gas to fuel their stoves, outdoor kitchens, tankless water heaters, and many more amenities. Moreover, the developers desired a number of other gas features, such as poolside torches and gas lamps throughout the community. Building this community all-electric - the least desirable and most environmentally unfriendly method - simply wasn't an option.

Without natural gas, the developers had two options: either install unsightly and inefficient individual tanks at each home and facility, or turn to HBH Gas Systems to implement a turn-key Central Gas System that will provide individually metered gas through underground pipes to each building. The decision was easy to make.

Central Gas Systems, sometimes referred to as Central Propane Distribution Systems or Community LP Gas Systems, provide propane from a centralized tank in a manner identical to a natural gas system. HBH Gas Systems is a leader in the design and implementation of Central Gas systems. HBH Gas Systems manages the system design and installation, as well as the gas delivery, service and individual customer billing.

With a Central Gas System from HBH Gas Systems, the developer and builder will benefit from the many marketing advantages afforded by their ability to offer underground metered gas service. The homeowners will enjoy considerable cost savings: residents of the Harbor could likely save up to 50% on their utility bills by using propane from this Central Gas System in lieu of electricity. All of these benefits of central gas systems compliment the fact that the gas appliances and amenities will bring increased levels of comfort and convenience to the residents of Hill Country Harbor.

A Historical Marker at Possum Kingdom Lake reads, "(Development of the area) quickly picked up after World War II with the establishment of major fishing lodges, camping areas and other recreational facilities. The growth and success of the area is a tribute to the spirit of the surrounding communities…" It is with this same spirit and dedication that the developers of Hill Country Harbor and HBH Gas Systems are bringing this beautiful community to Texas.

HBH Gas Systems has developed, designed, and installed central gas distribution systems in residential communities and commercial developments throughout the US and abroad. HBH is committed to facilitating sustainable development worldwide by bringing gas to regions where it was previously unavailable. For more information about HBH Gas Systems, visit environmental benefits of Central Gas Systems, visit www.hbhsystems.com/environmental.html.

HBH Gas Systems to Install Community Propane Gas System at The Villas at Lakecliff Near Austin, Texas

HBH Gas Systems and the developers of The Villas at Lakecliff have partnered to bring eco-friendly, affordable gas fuel to the homebuyers in this new upscale community just west of Austin, Texas. Because the community is located in an area that lacks access to natural gas, the developers turned to HBH Gas Systems to provide turn-key gas utilities with a Central Community Gas System. This Central Community Gas System will provide individually metered gas utilities to the 71 single-family detached residential units in The Villas at Lakecliff. The system will be serviced, metered, and billed just like natural gas; the gas is piped underground from a centralized facility.

Austin, Texas (PRWEB) December 1, 2008 -- HBH Gas Systems and the developers of The Villas at Lakecliff have partnered to bring eco-friendly, affordable gas fuel to the homebuyers in this new upscale community just west of Austin, Texas. Because the community is located in an area that lacks access to natural gas, the developers turned to HBH Gas Systems to provide turn-key gas utilities with a Central Community Gas System. This Central Community Gas System will provide individually metered gas utilities to the 71 single-family detached residential units in The Villas at Lakecliff. The system will be serviced, metered, and billed just like natural gas; the gas is piped underground from a centralized facility.

The developer of The Villas at Lakecliff, Horizontal Strategies, realized the benefits of offering dual fuels to homeowners but knew their development's location did not have feasible access to the natural gas grid. The developer did not want to build all-electric, because they know that homeowners prefer gas fuel - especially in a luxury lakeside community.

Faced with the prospect of installing unsightly and inefficient individual propane tanks at each home, Horizontal Strategies engaged HBH Gas Systems to implement a Community Propane System - the most effective solution to the challenge of delivery gas utilities to off grid communities. HBH Gas Systems has unsurpassed expertise in the implementation of Community Propane Systems designed to serve off-grid developments.

Especially because of the current economic downturn, more and more developers are finding that a Community Propane Gas System can provide the marketing boost their communities need to increase sales. Community Propane Gas Systems reduce new developments' pull on the electric grid. They allow developers to steer their off-grid developments away from carbon-heavy electricity toward more sustainable development fueled by gas. Homeowners at The Villas at Lakecliff will have the peace-of-mind associated with using an alternative green fuel as classified by the Clean Air Act and the Energy Policy Act. For all of these reasons, homebuyers find homes in communities with clean, green fuel from Central Gas Systems vastly more appealing than homes in all-electric communities.

The single-family detached condominium units in The Villas at Lakecliff will all use propane gas appliances. These range from ultra-efficient tankless water heaters and central heating/furnaces to kitchen stoves, gas lanterns, and even optional gas clothes dryers. The community's Central Gas System will carry clean-burning gas from the centralized tank through underground pipes to fuel these appliances.

HBH Gas Systems to Install Central Community Propane Gas System for The Canyons at Lake Travis Development Near Austin, Texas

HBH Gas Systems has partnered with the developer of The Canyons at Lake Travis to bring underground-piped, individually metered gas to the homes in this new community just outside of Austin, Texas. The Canyons at Lake Travis is located in an area that does not have access to the natural gas infrastructure. Faced with the high costs and difficult logistics of extending the natural gas mains, as well as the undesirable prospect of an all-electric community, many developers rely on HBH Gas Systems to implement central community propane gas systems.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) October 6, 2008 -- HBH Gas Systems and the developer of The Canyons at Lake Travis have partnered to bring underground-piped, individually metered gas to the homes in this new community just west of Austin, Texas. The Canyons at Lake Travis is located in an area that does not have access to the natural gas infrastructure, but by implementing a central community propane gas system from HBH Gas Systems, the developer and builder will be able to provide homeowners with economical, clean-burning gas.

When considering how to deliver energy to the homes in The Canyons at Lake Travis, the developer had several options. The natural gas main could be extended to the development, but this process would be extremely expensive and logistically challenging. Once this was ruled out, only three options remained: build the homes all electric, install individual propane tanks for each home, or partner with HBH Gas Systems to implement a central community propane gas system.

The homes could easily be built all-electric, but the developer and builder wanted the marketing advantages of offering both gas and electricity, as homebuyers in this high-end community are sure to prefer high-quality, efficient gas appliances. The developers and builders who work with HBH Gas Systems recognize that a dual-fuels home is a more marketable, saleable product.

The central community propane gas system from HBH Gas Systems will provide each home in The Canyons at Lake Travis development with individually metered gas, piped underground from a centralized underground tank. There will be no unsightly tanks at each home, the homeowners will pay only for the gas they use, and homeowners could save substantially on utility bills compared to fueling their homes solely with electricity.

The developer and builder at The Canyons at Lake Travis are now able to market their community as eco-friendly, because fueling homes with propane from a central community propane gas system largely reduces the development's pull on the carbon-heavy electric grid. Using gas only for water and space heating instead of electricity effectively reduces a home's carbon emissions by 8.5 tons per year, which is more than the emissions of an average vehicle.

Adding gas cooktops, for instance, reduces carbon emissions even more. Building homes with gas-fired outdoor kitchens and gas fireplaces reduces particulate emissions by replacing charcoal grills and wood-burning fireplaces, all while still providing enhanced lifestyles. Moreover, a central community propane gas system allows for the implementation of refueling stations for eco-friendly propane-powered fleet vehicles, private vehicles, golf carts, and lawn equipment. A central community propane gas system is a complete, turnkey energy solution that supports the goals of Sustainable Development and the principles of green building and green development.

By partnering with HBH Gas Systems to implement a central community propane gas system, the developer and builder of The Canyons at Lake Travis are steering this off-grid development away from the inefficient, carbon-heavy electric grid toward more Sustainable Development fueled by gas. The central community gas system at The Canyons at Lake Travis further illustrates the scalability and positive economic, environmental and social impacts that are hallmarks of an HBH Gas System.

Phase 1 of The Canyons at Lake Travis will consist of 57 homes, many with stunning views of Lake Travis and the Texas Hill Country beyond. The homes will range from 2,800 to 4,000 square feet, built on lots that are 1 acre or larger. Homes will be priced from the $500's. In line with the sustainable development and green building practices that central community propane gas system from HBH Gas Systems promote, the homes of The Canyons at Lake Travis will feature 14 SEER High efficiency AC and gas furnaces, Low E2 double paned windows, energy saving gas water heaters, and direct vent gas fireplaces and gas cooktops.