The winter of 2013-14 saw huge demand for propane to use for grain drying and home heating.

The results were price increases and testing the country’s transportation infrastructure last winter, even as the country’s propane production reached record levels.

There are several ways to avoid the problems that come with relying on propane for heating your home. One of those ways is by using a geothermal heat pump.

Propane Heating vs. Residential Geothermal Heating & Cooling: The Breakdown

Why is geothermal better and more reliable than propane? Here are seven reasons:

1) Fewer Zeroes on Your Heating Bills
Geothermal systems use the earth’s constant, moderate temperature to heat and cool your home. This means it is much more efficient than propane and offers savings up to 70 to 80% every year compared to propane. And when fossil fuel prices or delivery prices spike, you are saving even more.

2) Geothermal is Convenient and Dependable
Wave bye-bye to the cold, long days of waiting for a fuel delivery or worrying about running out of fuel.

Though geothermal is a renewable technology, it is different from wind or solar because geothermal doesn’t depend on outdoor conditions to make your home comfortable. The earth remains at a constant, stable temperature.

3) Do You Want This Seen Near Your Home?

Propane tanks aren’t generally regarded as beautiful. Meanwhile, your geothermal loop is underground and out of sight, and your geothermal heat pump is located in your garage, closet or basement.

4) Cost of Ownership
While the costs of a geothermal system and installation are higher than those for a propane system, the annual energy savings that accompany a geothermal system allows a homeowner to make back the installation costs spent within five to 10 years, on average. And a 30 percent federal tax credit is available, making geothermal even more affordable.

5) Don’t Take Just Our Word for It
Check it out for yourself. Look at these stories from people who made the switch to geothermal and are loving it.

North Carolina Man Chooses Geothermal for His Historic Home, Saves $1,800 Yearly on Energy Bills

Pennsylvania Homeowner Retrofits Home with Geothermal, Instantly Saves

6) Durability
Geothermal systems usually have a longer life than systems fueled by propane. Most estimates say that propane furnaces run for 15 to 20 years.

Meanwhile, geothermal heat pumps, have been found to have a life span of roughly 25 years, but can have a lifespan of many more years. In addition, the pipes that use the underground energy can last more than 100 years before needing to be replaced.

7) Not a One-Trick Pony
Yet another advantage that geothermal has over propane is that a single geothermal system can provide a homeowner both heating and cooling.

In addition, some geothermal systems can also provide homes with full-time hot water, which means you save even more energy. It certainly is not unheard of to save 70 percent on monthly utility bills. In addition, you can save even more the farther north you live.

Don’t spend another winter under the threat of propane’s unpredictability and high prices. Use this Geothermal Savings Calculator to see how much you can save on a geothermal system versus propane.