Community propane systems are meeting an increasing demand.

As Americans move from areas where there is natural gas to areas where there is no natural gas infrastructure, many still want gas amenities and appliances. Americans want gas heat for its comfort and warmth, gas-heated water because it’s energy efficient and saves money, and then, the best of home chefs still prize the luxury of gas cooking.

For developers building in areas off of the natural gas mains, the increasing popularity of community propane tanks to fuel entire communities demonstrates that gas and the convenience of gas can be had almost anywhere.

Developers can deliver propane to homes off the main via community tank systems. These systems can fuel tens to thousands of homes. These large storage containers (tanks range in size from 4,000 to 30,000 gallons) can be placed above ground or underground hidden from public view, in a centralized yet remote location at the edge of a development. The gas runs through underground pipes from the central spot to each home where meters measure usage. The gas is then billed to each homeowner, like natural gas systems.

Community tank systems are also growing in popularity in large part due to the environmental benefits of propane. Propane fits well within National Association of Homebuilder’s (NAHB) green building guidelines and offers a strong environmental message. Propane is non toxic to soil and water, and propane energy offers one of the lightest carbon footprints on earth, thereby reducing the impact on greenhouse gas emissions, lowering sulfur content, all with virtually no particulate pollution.

Homebuyers also enjoy the cost savings and energy efficiency of the propane equipment you put in their homes. Ultra efficient modulating/condensing gas heating equipment can be used in forced air or standard hydronic and in-floor heat applications. There is no better path to energy efficiency and consumer satisfaction than to install one or more propane tankless water heaters – with endless hot water — in the homes you are building. Propane HVAC equipment and tankless water heaters help qualify developers for federal tax credits for highly energy efficient homes under the energy policy act up to $2,000 per unit.

The large propane tanks are built of heavy steel and painted with a mastic coating to prevent corrosion. They can be delivered anywhere a truck can go, and, once buried, all that’s visible is a small dome covering filling ports.


Case Study
In October of 2006, Central Florida Gas worked with Vikings LLC, the developer of Juliette Falls, a 548-custom home development located in Ocala, Florida,, to install the first of two 30,000 gallon underground propane tanks to serve as the central fuel source for the community. The size of the 30,000 gallon underground tank was 37 feet long and 13 feet in diameter. It weighed 44,000 lbs. and was lowered into the ground by a 110 ton crane.

“It is the first of two 30,000 gallon tanks that are going to fuel this golf and spa community,” explained Jeff Finke, Vice President and COO of Vikings LLC, Developer of Juliette Falls. “The community tank system makes perfect sense. Our buyers are going to be upscale and we want to provide gas amenities including commercial gas cooking appliances, furnaces, and water heating for baths, pools, and jacuzzis.”

The 540 homes at Juliette Falls are built around a 7325-yard 18-hole championship golf course, with a 52,000 square foot clubhouse and spa at its center. Because the development also includes a 136-acre nature preserve, propane’s environmental benefits are also essential. Propane poses no harm to ground water and is an approved alternative fuel. Each home will feature seven to 12 piped connections to accommodate multiple indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and each home will be equipped with a Generac Power Systems Guardian standby gas generator.

“We saw the generators as a necessity for creating a weather-ready community,” explains Finke. “Here in Central Florida we’re vulnerable to powerful storms and hurricanes. If the power goes out, we can have mold and mildew issues, food and medicine storage issues, and as an active adult community – there will also be residents who need power for medical equipment.”

Jeff Miles, Central Florida Gas’s Citrus County Operations Manager, helped lead the Juliette Falls’ tank installation.

“In terms of technical requirements, the system we’re using here is state-of-the-art because we will have satellite technology in place that tracks propane usage and will be able to retrieve live information regarding when to deliver and refill,” related Miles.”

According to Miles, four-inch polyethylene pipe will serve as the main infrastructure and be used to deliver the gas from the centralized storage facility to homeowners.

Beyond community tanks, developers should also know that single family homes can be fueled by individual residential tanks of varying sizes, depending on demand. Generally, 500-gallon tanks easily accommodate an average four-bedroom home. Smaller tanks can be installed to provide energy for specific applications (such as outdoor rooms), while 1,000+ gallon tanks can fuel large homes with applications like swimming pools and hot tubs.

Whether fueling an individual home or an entire neighborhood, propane is a gateway energy source that offers the value, reliability, and versatility of gas. SLDT