The harsh winter months of the past year brought with them a shortage of propane throughout the region. This year, though the forecast does not call for such a severe winter, Richland County residents should be prepared in their propane supply.
Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Mike Bailey explained the propane shortage of last winter was partially due to having such a wet fall. He stated farmers used a lot of propane to dry their grain, and that this year the county should be in good shape for propane.
“Of course, I’m the eternal optimist, but I think we should all be prepared in case we have another prolonged winter like last year, and take a look at everything and make sure your tanks are full and make sure they’re up to snuff,” said Bailey.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), approximately five percent of all U.S. households heat with propane. The EIA expects households heating with propane in the Midwest to spend an average of $767 (34 percent) less than last winter, reflecting prices that are about 24 percent lower and consumption that is 13 percent lower than last winter. Homes using propane or heating oil have higher expenditures on average than homes using natural gas and electricity, but expenditures are still lower compared to last year.
Bailey advised all propane users to be aware of their own supply, and check their appliances. He stated various local vendors carry propane, with many offering auto-fill and pre-season programs at a cheaper rate.
“People should take a second and pop the lid on top of the tank, take a look at their propane levels and see exactly what they’ve got and stay in contact with their vendor,” said Bailey. “I’ve got propane myself and if it gets down to half, I get concerned.”
In order to conserve propane, Bailey first recommended checking furnace filters to make sure they are clean. Other ways to conserve include assessing areas of the house that may not need heated constantly and closing doors to those areas, as well as sealing doors and windows.
Bailey cautioned against using alternate heating devices such as kerosene heaters due to safety concerns.
“The first thing a lot of these devices say is please crack a window if you’re going to use that, so you might as well crank your thermostat up if you’re going to do that,” Bailey explained. “They’re dangerous because kids and animals can tip them over, or if they brush against blankets or curtains in the middle of the night. Plus they give off carbon monoxide, so make sure your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors are up to snuff.”
After making contact with local propane vendors, Bailey said he has not heard any adverse reports when it comes to supply. Last year’s shortage, he said, was an anomaly due to an unusually cold winter and difficulty delivering propane to the area.
“Hopefully we’ve learned from our mistakes last year and we’re better prepared this year, and hopefully Old Man Winter won’t be so hard on us,” said Bailey.
Preliminary forecasts suggest this year’s winter will not be as harsh as last year. Sarah Jamison, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, stated climatologists at the Climate Prediction Center said for the months of December, January and February temperatures are looking more normal for this winter.
“Right now based on the Climate Prediction Center they predict that an El Niño is going to develop out in the Pacific, and if that should develop it has large ramifications on global weather patterns,” said Jamison. “Most of the United States is going to have above normal temperatures. Precipitation this winter is also around normal.”
While Jamison said there is currently no indication the area is going to be locked in with the same cold air as last winter, she noted last year’s pattern of cold air was not something that could be predicted months in advance.
“There’s no way to predict when one of those setups is going to form,” she said. “There’s always a slight chance of that happening. Last winter was such an anomaly; it’s very unlikely we’re going to have a repeat of such a hard winter.”
Still, even if Richland County sees another unusually cold winter, Bailey is confident residents will be prepared.
“We’re a hardy bunch, we always seem to come through no matter what happens, and that’s a good thing,” he said.
“Of course, I’m the eternal optimist, but I think we should all be prepared in case we have another prolonged winter like last year, and take a look at everything and make sure your tanks are full and make sure they’re up to snuff,” said EMA Director Mike Bailey.
