Percent of households using propane by area county
Champaign County - 25%
Darke County - 18%
Shelby County - 18%
Preble County - 18%
Auglaize County - 17%
Miami County - 10%
Greene County - 6%
Clark County - 6%
Warren County - 5%
Butler County - 3%
Montgomery County 2%
Source: Columbus Dispatch, U.S. Census.
To avert another shortage that could impact those who use propane for heat, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is advising consumers to fill up tanks early.
Last winter’s fierce cold spells and supply constraints forced many rural Ohioans who ran out of the fuel to move in with relatives and friends. Many others struggled to find adequate supplies. The state set up a hotline to connect people with available fuel.
Matthew Schilling of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio said Thursday that high agricultural demand for the fuel to dry crops could pinch supplies. Propane in Ohio arrives here via truck from other states.
PUCO said users should consider the following:
• Check current propane supply. Make sure you are aware of your current supply to decide your needs to get through the heating season.
• Call your provider. Get in touch with the propane provider that issued your tank. Begin a good working relationship and develop a plan for your propane supply including refills, automatic refills and payment programs to make sure your tank stays full.
• Fill up early. By filling your tank early (before the demand for propane increases due to falling temperatures), you can help your provider better plan for supply needs so that everyone has a safe and comfortable winter.
• Make sure your home or business is running efficiently. Have a technician check your appliances and propane system, look for energy efficient upgrades like programmable thermostats, let the sun naturally heat your home by opening curtains and set your water heater no higher than 120 degrees.
• Explore the Home Energy Assistance Program. HEAP is available to income-eligible customers in Ohio. For more information visit www.winterheat.ohio.gov.
Collett Propane Inc. in Xenia supplies 7,000 customers mostly in rural Warren, Clinton, and Greene counties. Around 80 percent of the customers are residential. The company was able to keep customers supplied last winter, said David Wedderburn, vice president and general manager. He’s advising them to pre-buy their supply now to lock in a good price.
Propane is now in the low $2 range, he said.
“Right now, things are pretty steady. We are well supplied on our winter propane,” he said. “Because of what happened last year, I would pre-buy my gas to guarantee the price and to guarantee they get it.”
The U.S. Energy Information Administration said recently that despite higher inventories this year, “the outlook for propane is uncertain.”
The federal agency said key factors include the amount of propane used to process a record corn crop expected this fall and both the weather and commodity prices. “Following the harvest, winter temperature outcomes will directly drive the amount of propane used for space heating. Changes in propane supply infrastructure since last winter are another source of uncertainty,” it said.
Last winter’s shortage was the worst in 25 years, the National Propane Gas Association said.
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