How is Propane Used?

Propane fuels the lives of Canadians in many ways. Most of us know propane at home, cooking on the backyard barbecue, or away from home, fuelling the appliances in a recreational vehicle. Maybe you've seen propane heaters warming football players on the sidelines, or you've watched a road crew turning propane-heated asphalt into a new stretch of highway.

But propane does so much more, sight unseen. Take a ride in a taxicab, and chances are it's propane-powered. Use a can of spray paint and you're using propane. It is a leading alternative as an aerosol propellant, because it's non-toxic, it disperses into the air quickly, and it doesn't harm the earth's ozone layer.

Here are few examples of the many applications for propane in Canada: 

Residential – A full range of efficient propane appliances is available: from furnaces, space heaters, water heaters and fireplaces to refrigerators, dryers and indoor lighting. In outdoor applications, propane-powered equipment includes barbecues, pool heaters, generators and portable heaters. 

Commercial/Industrial/Institutional – Commercial-grade propane furnaces and water heaters are the solution to large-scale applications. From warehouses to manufacturing facilities to hospitals, propane is reliable and efficient. And propane water heaters work up to 2.5 times faster than their electric counterparts.

Construction – Whether in asphalt applications or to heat the construction site office, propane-powered construction heaters are available in a variety of sizes to meet any worksite need. 

Agriculture – Environmentally friendly propane is used extensively in agricultural applications including crop drying, heating livestock facilities such as barns and brooding pens, and heating commercial greenhouses. 

Food Service – The instant, even and moist heat of propane is preferred by chefs and novice gourmets alike. A full range of efficient and reliable commercial appliances is available including ranges, fryers and refrigerators. 

Oil & Gas – The portability of propane is a significant benefit to the oil and gas industry. Uses include portable power generators, remote camp heating, cooking and refrigeration, and specialized well and pipeline testing equipment. 

Transportation – While personal vehicles can be converted for propane use, fleet vehicles are currently the most common application for propane as a transportation fuel. Propane is widely available at a broad network of retail outlets right across Canada. Propane-powered fleet vehicles include taxis, delivery and service trucks, and school buses. 

Fork Lift Trucks – Clean-burning propane is the perfect fuel for fork lift trucks for both external and internal applications. Propane FLTs provide excellent fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.