If you’re like most people, when hearing the word “propane,” you probably think about the grill — but, in fact, this clean fuel has a lot more to offer than just grilling power. From heating your home or office to keeping your pool at a comfortable temperature year-round, here are some of the best ways to use propane throughout the changing seasons to save money and maximize efficiency.

1. Heating Your Home or Office

Here’s an important fact worth knowing: Propane furnaces warm air faster than electric models. They cost half as much on average, can last up to 20 years and keep you comfortable even if there’s a power outage in your area. Propane heaters can be vented vertically or horizontally, which means you don’t need a chimney, and they offer the highest levels of reliability of heating power.

2. Enjoying a Fire

Add a propane fireplace to your home or business to enjoy the look of real flames alongside greater efficiency and lower costs. With propane fireplaces, all the heat comes straight into your room, creating a cozy feel. What’s more, there are no ashes or debris to worry about cleaning after the fire is done.

3. Heating Water

A tankless propane hot water heater provides a more resourceful way to keep your home’s hot water flowing — without busting the budget during the long winter months.

4. Heating the Pool

Propane heaters can warm swimming pool water faster and more effectively than electrical options. With models available in small or large sizes, it’s easy to find one that suits your pool’s needs. Whether you’re warming a backyard pool or a commercial option, propane is a smart heating choice.

5. Outdoor Patio

Spending time outside becomes a year-round activity when you have propane heaters available to keep you warm in winter months. There are many different sizes and models of propane patio heaters available, including tabletop options and models with built-in lights for evening enjoyment.

6. Cooking

Naturally energy efficient and available in various designs, a propane range gives you better control over cooking heat — so you can enjoy more predictable results when making meals. Plus, because propane ranges have instant-off switches, they’re safe heating options, too.

7. Clothes Drying

Swap your standard clothes dryer with a propane model, and you have a more efficient and convenient laundry solution. Propane dryers can save you 20 percent of yearly heating costs, meaning long-term cost-cutting benefits, too.

8. Fueling the Car

There are already propane-powered vehicles on the roads around you, often used by businesses thanks to their clean energy and little need for maintenance.

9. Creating Backup Power

Fuel your backup generator with propane to have a safe and reliable heating option the next time a power outage hits. There are even standby models that will automatically provide power to your home during an outage when you’re away.

From keeping your home warm and cozy to improving your control over cooking heat, there are many uses and benefits that come from the clean fuel of propane. Consider incorporating this effective, cost-cutting energy option into your home or business to keep you and your loved ones warm and safe!

Author Bio: Christopher Kowalski is the marketing manager for Anthem Propane and sits on the consumer education and advisory committee for the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) and Autogas committee for the Propane Gas Association of New England. Over the past decade in the propane industry, he has worked extensively to provide knowledge of propane and its benefits to builders, plumbers, electricians as well as customers of Anthem Propane.