Using Propane to Build Green

AIA: Health, Safety and Welfare

This course qualifies for Health, Safety and Welfare credit.

This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

Copyright Notice

This presentation is protected by United States and International copyright laws. Reproduction and distribution of the presentation without written permission of the sponsor is prohibited. © 2008 Propane Education and Research Council.

In addition, the following organizations have contributed to this course and are referenced throughout the presentation as appropriate.

Course Objectives

• Identify multiple energy sources, including propane.

• Identify the benefits of using propane instead of other energy options.

• Describe the distribution of propane and retail services available.

• Illustrate the different residential propane storage options.

• Explain the impact of fossil fuels and electricity on the greenhouse gas effect.

• Explain the benefits a homeowner receives from building a green home with propane.

• Identify the NAHB Green Building Standards

• Identify green residential space and water heating applications.

• List other residential propane applications.

Propane: Green Fuel of Choice

Other Available Energy Options

• Electricity• Natural Gas• Fuel Oil• Propane as a Hybrid Partner for

• Electricity• Solar Heating• Geothermal Heating• Combined Heat & Power

Other Energy Options: Electricity

• Power Source for Over 120 Years

• Distributed through the Grid

• Primarily Generated with Coal in U.S.

• Contributes to

• Acid Rain

• Global Warming

• Air Pollution

• 38% of All Country’s GHG Emissions

• Grid Criticized for

• Outdated Equipment

• Poor Performance

• Fewer Workers

Other Energy Options: Natural Gas

• Primarily Methane• Cleaner Burning Fossil Fuel • Characteristics are Similar to

Propane• Only Available in Population

Dense Areas• Difficult to Transport and

Store• Pipelines Expensive to

Expand• Uses in Residential Homes

Include• Space Heating• Water Heating• Cooking• Clothes Drying• Stand-by Power

Other Energy Options: Heating Oil

• No. 2 Fuel Oil

• Low Viscosity Liquid Petroleum

• Heavy Carbon Footprint

• EPA Concerns for Ground Water Contamination

• Strict Transport and Storage Regulation

Propane as a Hybrid Partner: Electricity

Electricity can be:• Unreliable • Unavailable• Expensive

Propane Generators serve as back-up

Propane as a Hybrid Partner: Solar

Solar• Expensive• Dependent on Daylight and

Climate

Propane as a Hybrid Partner: Geothermal

Geothermal• Relies on ground or indoor air heat• Can’t keep up with heavy load

Information about Geothermal Heat Pumps provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/heatpumps.html

Propane as a Hybrid Partner: Combined Heat and Power

CHP Information and illustration provided by MarathonEngine Systems. Used with permission.

Benefits of Propane: Reliability

• Desirable when Natural Gas not

Available

• Natural Gas Appliances can be

Easily Converted to Propane

• Fuel for Stand-by Generators

• Generators Automatically Start

when Electricity Fails

• Fuel Supply Kept on Site,

Independent From Regional

Pipeline Interruptions

Benefits of Propane: Safety

• Industry’s Highest Priority

• Remarkable Safety Record

• Codes and Regulations

Developed

• Internally

• NFPA

Safety Features

• Will not Ignite unless source is 920

degrees F.

• Non-toxic

• Not Harmful to Soil or Ground Water

• Odorant Added to Identify Leaks

• For more information about propane

safety click here.

Safety: NFPA Standards

NFPA 58: Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code

• Adopted in All 50 States• Safety Requirements• Highway Transportation• LP-Gas System

• Design• Construction• Installation• Operation

Benefits of Propane: Value

• Immediate Heat

• Warm and Even Heat

• High Efficiency Propane Appliances Available

• Rebates and Tax Incentives Available

• Short Energy Savings Pay-back Period

• Long Term Energy Savings

Propane Benefits: Cleanliness

• Environmentally friendly• Clean burning• Non-toxic• No residuals• Low emissions

Propane Availability and Distribution

• Majority produced domestically• Abundant supply• Infrastructure already exists

Retail Propane Services

• Residential & Commercial Services

• Service and Filling of Existing

Tanks

• Service of Energy Systems

• Portable Cylinder, Refill, Exchange,

and Repair

• Cylinder Exchange Program

• Tank Installation

Residential Propane Storage Options: Community Propane Storage

• Tanks scaled to serve entire communities

• Usage can be tracked for each home

• Residents take advantage of energy efficient appliances

• Never refill a propane cylinder

Residential Propane Storage Options: Individual Residential Propane Storage

• Underground tanks• Above ground tanks• Mounded tanks

Propane Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

GHG Effect and Climate Change

• Greenhouse gases keep the Earth at a comfortable temperature• Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases lead to climate change

Carbon Dioxide and Greenhouse Gases

• Federal regulation of GHG is increasing• Carbon Dioxide is the most prevalent GHG• Carbon footprint is a good comparison between fuels

Propane’s Effect on Climate Change

• Propane is not a direct greenhouse gas• No evidence of global climate impact from propane emissions• GHG footprint of LPG is relatively small

Onsite and Offsite Emissions

On-Site Emissions:

Emissions released at the location where the energy is consumed.

Indirect or Off-Site Emissions

Emissions released at the location where the energy is generated.

Waste Reduction

Tankless water heaters are• Durable• Long-Lasting• Compact• Largely recyclable• Largely made from recycled

materials

Builder Economic Benefits: Tax Credits

• Federal and Local Tax Credits are available for installing energy efficient propane-fueled water heaters and furnaces

• Visit www.dsireusa.org for more information

Green Building with Propane

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Standard

• Lot Design, Preparation, and Development

• Resource Efficiency

• Energy Efficiency

• Water Efficiency

• Indoor Environmental Quality

• Operation, Maintenance, and Homeowner Education

NAHB Green Building Levels and Point System

• Four point levels are available to rate projects• Bronze, Silver, Gold & Emerald

• The use of propane can contribute up to 101 points

Section 1: Lot Design, Preparation, and Development

Section 1 total: 10 points

Underground tank community systems can earn points for minimal site disturbance.

Section 2: Resource Efficiency

Section 2 total: 8 points

Scraps recycled offsite by propane marketers: 1 point

Recycled, reusable, and recyclable: 2 points

Propane tanks, water heaters, furnaces and boilers manufactured by an ISP certified facility: up to 5 points

Section 3: Energy Efficiency

Gas/Propane Heater90% AFUE - 0-14 points92% AFUE – 0-15 points94% AFUE – 0-17 points

Additional Installations Can Earn: - Temperature reset control or burner delay control on boiler: 1 point- Programmable thermostat: 1 point- Gas Water Heating: 1 or 10 points- Indirect fired water storage tank from propane boiler: 1 point- Propane space heater without ducts (e.g. wall mount direct vent unit): 15 points- Trained propane HVAC contractors and installers: 1 point- Propane heating systems can be integrated with programmable communicating

thermostats (1), energy monitoring devices (2), and energy management control systems(3): 2,4 or 7 points

Section 3 Total: 53 Points

Prescriptive Path to 53 Energy Efficiency

Points Propane Gas Boiler85% - 0-7 points90% - 0-14 points94% - -0-17 points

Section 4: Water Efficiency

Section 4 total: 3 points

Propane tankless water heaters are compact and facilitate innovative plumbing systems that shorten distribution lines – 3 points.

Section 5: Indoor Environmental Quality

Section 5 total: 20 points

Direct vented propane furnace or boiler earns: 5 pointsDirect vented propane water heater earns : 5 pointsPropane fireplace vented and complies : 7 pointsPropane air systems accept MERV 8 or greater filter earns: 3 points

Section 6: Operation, Maintenance, and Homeowner Education

Section 6 total: 7 points

Manufacturer spec sheets, location of safety valves, and safety sheet on handling propane: 1 point

Instructions provide with propane mechanicals should be used to train homeowners on how to operate the system: 6 points

LEED® Rating System

• One of few nationally accepted benchmarks• Promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability

Propane & LEED Certification

• Propane delivers nearly 40% of the points needed to be LEED Certified

• Propane technologies maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact

Green Space Heating, Water Heating, and Home Applications

Residential Space Heating: Furnaces

• Up to 25-degree warmer air at discharge registers

• 10 year longer life span than electric heat pumps

• Short running intervals minimize costs

• Available in various shapes and sizes

Residential Space Heating: Hydronic Heating and Boilers

• Possible 95% plus efficiency• Almost all propane energy is extracted

Residential Space Heating: Heating Energy Used and Climate Change

• Lower carbon dioxide emissions than electric• Equivalent carbon dioxide emissions of natural gas

Residential Water Heating

Conventional storage water heaters:• Most popular water heating

system• 20 to 80 gallon reservoirs• 70% of tank’s volume is used• A variety of fuel sources can

be used

Residential Water Heating: Tankless Water Heaters

• Environmentally friendly• Lower energy bills• Space savers• Endless hot water supply• Don’t keep stored water heated• Water is heated on demand

Residential Water Heating: Tankless Water Heaters

• No scale build-up or rust • Fresh and clean water• No stored water means no

threat of storage tank leakage• 20 year life span• Easy to install• Frees up space

Residential Water Heating:Rating Water Heaters

• Energy Factor (EF) rating includes

• Recovery efficiency• Standby losses• Cycling losses

• First-Hour rating indicates• Energy required• Hot water volume

production

Residential Water Heating: Rating Water Heaters

Direct comparison of the effect of energy consumption for water heating on the carbon footprint

Residential Water Heating: Energy Star Program

• 2009 Water heater Energy Star categories

• High performance gas storage

• Whole-home gas tankless• Advanced drop-in or

integrated heat pump • Solar• Gas condensing

Propane water heaters will qualify in all Energy Star categories.

Other Energy Saving Propane Appliances: Cooking

• Instant gas flames• Greater temperature control

and even heat distribution • Burners cool quickly • Gourmet commercial-grade

kitchen appliances are available

Other Energy Saving Propane Appliances: Clothes Drying

• Less expensive• Quick to reach temperature• Extrude moist heat• Same operation and ventilation requirements

Other Energy Saving Propane Appliances: Fireplaces

• Cost-effective• Cozy• Efficient• Environmentally friendly• Versatile installation options• Minimal installation costs

Other Energy Saving Propane Appliances: Outdoor Living

• Grills• Fireplaces• Firepits• Patio heaters• Gas lights• Torches• Pool and spa heaters

Thank you for taking this course.

Visit www.buildwithpropane.com for more information