Take a look at the food on your table. Did you know that propane had a helping hand in cultivating the food that you eat? All across the United States, farmers depend on propane gas to help with their everyday needs. Nearly 900,000 farms throughout the country, including those in Delaware County, make use of propane; and for good reason too.
Propane is not only eco-friendly and energy efficient but is an extremely versatile gas, as touted by propane companies in Delaware County. It provides a responsible way for farmers to tend to their crops while adhering to environmental regulations. When used in an agricultural capacity, propane has a multitude of uses that have proven to be extremely useful to farmers.
Truncated Costs
Farming is a business. Just like any other business, improving the quality of the product, service, and efficiency is vital for survival. Due to the variety of solutions that propane offers, it stands to reason that with those solutions come cost effectiveness. Many of the machines that farmers use- from tractors to irrigation systems -are propane-based. When comparing their performance and efficiency against those of electric motorized machines and harmful diesel gasses, propane-fueled machinery holds up to the task.
In a 2014 case study, 8 farmers used 8 propane-powered engines and irrigation systems to work their farms. Their total savings equaled $86,470. With propane-fueled machines often costing less in initial purchase and in operating costs, the savings begin to add up. Farming equipment that runs on propane allows the user to experience high amounts of usage with low maintenance. When machines break, it’s relatively easier and significantly cheaper to fix a machine that runs on propane than that of a diesel-fueled machine.
Reduced Emissions
There are over 300 million acres of land used for agricultural purposes throughout the United States. While farming is a necessary industry, it accounts for a large portion of air and water pollution. Because of this, farmers have been looking for more sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices. In an effort to reduce their carbon footprint, farmers have turned to propane as an alternative fuel source for irrigation engines, dryers, and other farming equipment.
Propane-powered farming equipment can produce roughly 11% less greenhouse gas emissions than their diesel counterparts and 24% fewer greenhouse gasses than gasoline structures. With the fewer produced emissions, propane is a clean-burning fuel source that reduces the agricultural industry’s carbon footprint.
Aside from the economic and ecological benefits of using propane gas, farmers also have the ability to reap the rewards of propane incentives. There are a number of financial incentives in place by the government for farmers who use propane-based technology and equipment. The Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) leads the charge in testing the efficiency of these programs for farmers. PERC makes it easy for farmers to see the effects of switching to propane-fueled systems, both ecologically and financially.
As the demand for sustainable farming grows, so does the usage of propane. Propane is one gas that is in great abundance within the United States. Propane is made in America from domestic natural gasses, making it one of our greatest homegrown commodities and exports. With our supply of propane, technology continues to adapt, becoming more innovative and eco-friendly. This is great news for farmers who rely on this technology to meet the demand of the nation’s agricultural needs.
Learn more about PERC’s Propane Farm Incentive program and GasTec’s propane services.