Being the owner of a field service software company, I am always curious about ways other companies and industries work to make their business environmentally friendly. I have actually been interested in preserving the environment since I owned an irrigation business. Unfortunately back then, propane, field service software, and all of the other “green” products out there, were not around. Or if they were around, I certainly did not hear much talk of them.
That’s why when I heard some customers talking about the switch to propane, I did some investigation of propane vs. gas for a lawn care business. Propane is and has been a growing trend within the green industry so it is good to know the pros and cons.
Pros
Propane has a couple of key benefits for the green industry, and hence the reason that many businesses are considering the switch from gas.
Environmentally Friendlier
While not completely environmentally friendly, propane has been proven to be better for the environment than gas. Propane is considered a “clean-burning fuel”, which reduces greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions.
Being an environmentally friendly company can also help you to gain more jobs. Many consumers these days are concerned about their impact on the future of our planet and I have heard from a handful of customers that they have businesses in their area that will only hire those that use propane fuel.
Lower Fuel Costs
With gas being at the prices it has ranged over the past few years, cutting fuel costs is a huge push towards choosing propane over gas. Propane is usually $1 or more less per gallon than gasoline. This can add up to some big savings in the summer months when your business is in full swing.
Less Maintenance
With propane being a cleaner burning fuel, the maintenance needed on your equipment will become less frequent. Gasoline causes more carbon buildup and it can beat up on your engines. Propane can lower the times a piece of equipment needs to be taken in for an oil change or other repairs.
Cons
While propane has some great features, it also has a few factors that could make it not the right move for your business at this time.
Conversions/Equipment
Getting your business ready for propane can be a little bit of a hassle if you don’t know what you are doing. You will either need to buy all new equipment that can run on propane, or invest in a conversion kit. The conversion kit turns a regular gas-powered mower into a propane mower. Again, if this is not done correctly, it can be a real headache, and the purchasing of an entirely new fleet of equipment may not be in your best interest at this point in time.
Availability
Propane is also more difficult to have readily on hand. I have heard of many businesses installing a propane station at their business, but this can be costly to smaller businesses. Propane is not as easy to fill up on as gas is at a station, so this is another factor to consider.
As with any big decision for a business, there are pros and cons. Personally, propane seems like a step in the right direction as long as your business can handle the changes that must go along with it.
