Propane shortage

[Coyote machine]

New construction radiant heat is easy to run in a track T&G subfloor material, where the tubing gets pounded into the track with a rubber mallet, and done.There is no need for gypcrete, and it can have any flooring material installed on top of the tubes/track. There is no need to create a box of air under old construction joists in existing construction either, BUT one does need to lay the track as a new subfloor under whatever the new floor material will be. It is more expensive to install initially in some instances, but it is quicker to lay out and install in new construction/ some retrofits, etc. which can offset some of the higher initial material cost.
Since radiant heats the entire room's contents vs. just the air it stays more constant and recovers quicker in garages, large rooms etc. than conventional heating like forced air. It is more even than forced air for the same reasons.

 

[PastTense]

Maybe I should convert to NG?

Definitely--if you have natural gas available convert as it will be cheaper than propane.

 

[LD1]

I don't use propane , but many in my State do. I really wonder it it's a true shortage or someone is just trying to get the prices up.

From what I have heard, it isnt so much a shortage as it is a transportation issue. There is pleanty of propane, but a shortage on getting it delivered due to the unusually cold weather we are having in the midwest.

I just checked the website for my propane company. Last week it was ~2.30 something. It is now at 3.75/gal and a note that says they arent taking any new customers and that 150 max for existing customers.

 

[bucktaker]

I wasnt suggesting you buy a tank from them or even clue them in. Mainly just curious as to who you had a bad experience with.

I know alot of people (that I know personally) have had issues with about every major player in my area.

I have never had issues with farmers coop out of marion county. Like I said, no yearly lease fees, no minimum usage, etc. Aside from this time when they filled me up without my requesting....I have nothing bad to say. (but they quickly fixed that issue).

After reading these numerous threads here on TBN about yearly leases, minimums, etc: had me wondering if I by chance owned the tank??? (came with the house). I called them and asked them. They said no, they own it. I asked about how come I never get a bill for a lease, or never any extra charges for not using much. They said they dont do that. After talking to others here on TBN, people said that they could be making it up by charging more, and that most places charge extra for leased tanks per gallon, and that if you owned the tank, the price would be alot less per gallon.

So that had me curious. Last time I filled two years ago, I called them all. Bennett, ferrell, wise, amerigas, etc. And inquired as to the price for a customer owned tank. They were ALL higher than what I could have my leased tank filled for with the exception of one. Dont remember which it was, but it was a whole whopping penny per gallon less.

So IMO, with the company I have, it aint worth owning a tank. They are always the cheapest, no yearly lease fees, no mark-up per gallon for lease customers, and no worrying about the tank. I have a broken gauge. two years ago it had moisture in it to the point it coundnt be read, the guy filling it broke the glass out so it could be read. Well, now it is rusted and the needle kinda sticks. Well, guess what, their tank, they fixed it and I didnt have to pay a dime.

So leasing does have its advantages if you have a good company. That is why I asked if you had a farmers coop down your way?

My supplier is southwest LandMark but now owned by Truepointe lots of changes after Trupointe came into the picture

 

[Tomtint]

New construction radiant heat is easy to run in a track T&G subfloor material, where the tubing gets pounded into the track with a rubber mallet, and done.There is no need for gypcrete, and it can have any flooring material installed on top of the tubes/track. There is no need to create a box of air under old construction joists in existing construction either, BUT one does need to lay the track as a new subfloor under whatever the new floor material will be. It is more expensive to install initially in some instances, but it is quicker to lay out and install in new construction/ some retrofits, etc. which can offset some of the higher initial material cost.
Since radiant heats the entire room's contents vs. just the air it stays more constant and recovers quicker in garages, large rooms etc. than conventional heating like forced air. It is more even than forced air for the same reasons.

We have had a number of different homes over the years. Some heated by oil with baseboard, some propane with FHA another with radiant heat by propane. The oil/baseboard has always been the best bang for the buck. The home we were in with radiant was horrible. When we got days and nights with 30-40* temp fluctuations, the recovery time was horrible. And the propane consumption required to run radiant was painful.

 

[kenmac]

We have had a number of different homes over the years. Some heated by oil with baseboard, some propane with FHA another with radiant heat by propane. The oil/baseboard has always been the best bang for the buck. The home we were in with radiant was horrible. When we got days and nights with 30-40* temp fluctuations, the recovery time was horrible. And the propane consumption required to run radiant was painful.

There was a radiant heat fad here some yrs ago. Very few buyers liked it..... It's long gone now . I have replace a fair amount of the radiant systems

 

[LD1]

My supplier is southwest LandMark but now owned by Truepointe lots of changes after Trupointe came into the picture

Central ohio farmers coop who I have now, used to be Marion county landmark cause the sticker on the tank says that and the phone number, when googled, is now COFC

 

[Larry Caldwell]

From what I have heard, it isnt so much a shortage as it is a transportation issue. There is pleanty of propane, but a shortage on getting it delivered due to the unusually cold weather we are having in the midwest.

I just checked the website for my propane company. Last week it was ~2.30 something. It is now at 3.75/gal and a note that says they arent taking any new customers and that 150 max for existing customers.

If the USA had a decent rail system, there wouldn't be a problem. It's even colder in Canada, but there is no shortage of propane there, because their rail system works.

 

[NoTrespassing]

There was a radiant heat fad here some yrs ago. Very few buyers liked it..... It's long gone now . I have replace a fair amount of the radiant systems

My neighbor has radiant heat/propane boiler in his house he built about 8 years ago. I was over there last night and he's installing an electric heating element in his AC unit in the basement. This was thanks to the propane price tripling here. He was wiring up (2) 60 amp breakers and a 30 amp to it. I'm thinking he'll be able to slice meat with his meter when it's running

 

[ultrarunner]

Just about all the folks I know with radiant heat use oil or wood or a combination...

The beauty of Propane is it doesn't get stale and always ready to use in an instant.

One of the local Hospitals choose propane for the emergency boilers because they can store 21 day supply without fear of it going bad...

Might have to rethink that if prices stay high.

All of my co-workers in Germany are multi-fueled... typically at least 3 ways to heat, not including electricity...

Some of the homes have been in the family for hundreds of years... so the thinking tends to be long term.