October 7 is National Propane Day: Prepare with Propane

Today, October 7, is National Propane Day!
This year’s theme is “Prepare with Propane” — and for commercial operations, that theme couldn’t be more relevant.

As businesses, industrial facilities, and critical infrastructure face growing pressure on the electric grid, supply chains, and climate-related disruptions, propane stands out as a proven resilience strategy. Here’s what “preparing with propane” means in the commercial world:

Why Commercial Propane = Preparedness

1. Reliable energy on site
   Unlike grid-reliant power or fuel that degrades, propane can be stored on site, ready to support operations when the grid is down or supply chains are stressed. (PERC)
2. Versatile applications across your facility
   Propane isn’t just for heating. Commercial uses include:
   • Boilers & furnaces (space heating, steam)
   • Hot water systems & tankless water heaters
   • Backup / standby power generation or combined heat & power (CHP) installations
   • Propane autogas for fleet vehicles: fueling on-site and reducing reliance on external fueling infrastructure
   • Jobsite or portable equipment (e.g. generators, construction tools)
3. Operational continuity under stress
   In emergencies, outages, or supply-chain disruptions, propane can help maintain critical operations, keeping data centers, hospitals, schools, manufacturing lines, and commercial facilities online.
4. Emission / efficiency gains & cost benefits
   Propane systems are often more efficient than equivalent electric or fuel-oil systems, with lower lifecycle costs and lower carbon emissions (vs. some alternatives). (PERC)
   For fleet applications, propane autogas delivers up to ~ 96% fewer NOₓ emissions than diesel. (metro-magazine.com)

A Call to Action: Prepare Today

• Assess your facility’s critical loads and energy needs and identify where propane can provide backup or primary service.
• Explore hybrid or backup energy architectures: propane + solar / battery or propane + grid to maximize resilience.
• Consider retrofitting or integrating propane-based CHP or standby power systems into upcoming capital plans.
• For fleets, evaluate converting vehicles to propane autogas and installing on-site fueling infrastructure.
• Partner with propane suppliers and solution providers who understand industrial/commercial needs. Ask about safety, permitting, system integration, and fuel logistics.

On this National Propane Day, let’s promote more than a fuel – let’s promote preparedness, resilience, and energy confidence for the commercial and industrial world.