All posts by Peggy Jindra

A Practical Guide for Anyone Who Uses, Relies on, or Is Just Curious About Propane

Propane is one of those everyday fuels that quietly powers much of the modern world. You’ve probably seen it fueling a backyard grill, running a forklift in a warehouse, or heating a remote cabin in winter. But beyond those familiar uses, propane plays a massive behind-the-scenes role in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, transportation, and even disaster relief.

Yet despite its widespread use, most people—whether home users, fleet managers, or business owners—don’t know much about how propane is made. It’s not something you just pump out of the ground like gasoline, nor is it a man-made chemical cooked up in a lab. The process of producing propane is fascinating, highly technical, and deeply tied to the broader energy economy.

So whether you’re someone who manages fuel supply for a company, a technician working with propane-powered systems, or simply someone who’s curious about where that tank on your porch really comes from—this guide is for you.

We’ll break down how propane is made step by step, where it comes from, why it matters for pricing and reliability, and how it fits into larger conversations about clean energy and the future of fuel.

A Quick History of Propane

Before we dive into the how, it helps to understand where propane came from—at least historically. Propane was first identified in 1910 by American chemist Dr. Walter Snelling, who was studying evaporating gasoline. He found that certain volatile components, like propane and butane, were responsible for most of the energy in the fuel—and that they could be isolated and bottled as their own source of power.

By 1912, Snelling and his partners had formed the first propane distribution company, and by the 1920s, propane was being used commercially for cooking and heating. It really took off after World War II, when the oil and gas industry expanded its refining capabilities and built the infrastructure to deliver propane across the U.S. and beyond.

Fast-forward to today, and propane is a global energy staple. It’s used in over 50 million American homes, fuels countless commercial and industrial applications, and is now being looked at as a transitional clean fuel thanks to its low carbon emissions compared to gasoline or diesel.

What Exactly Is Propane?

Propane (C₃H₈) is a hydrocarbon gas and a member of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) family. It’s colorless, odorless (until a scent is added for safety), and can be stored and transported as a liquid under pressure.

It’s prized for its versatility, portability, and clean-burning nature. You’ll find it powering everything from residential heating systems to massive agricultural dryers, forklifts, and fleet vehicles.

So, How Is Propane Made?

Propane is not created like a synthetic chemical in a lab. Instead, it’s a natural byproduct recovered during two other key processes in the energy industry:

1. Natural Gas Processing

When natural gas is extracted from underground, it comes out as a mixture of gases, not just methane. Among those are propane, butane, ethane, and other hydrocarbons. These components are separated at a natural gas processing plant using cooling, absorption, and distillation techniques.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), approximately 90% of U.S. propane is produced this way.

2. Crude Oil Refining

The remaining supply—around 10% of U.S. propane—comes from the petroleum refining process. As crude oil is distilled into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, lighter hydrocarbons like propane naturally separate out during the early refining stages.

How Is Propane Captured and Stored?

Once extracted, propane is compressed into a liquid for easier storage and transport. In its liquid form, it takes up 270 times less space than as a gas, which makes it ideal for tank storage and transportation.

Before it reaches homes and businesses, an odorant (ethyl mercaptan) is added to propane to give it a strong, distinctive smell—often described as similar to rotten eggs. This is a critical safety step to ensure leaks can be easily detected.

From there, it’s distributed by pipeline, rail, truck, and barge to retailers, refueling stations, and commercial users.

Where Is Propane Produced?

The U.S. is a major global propane producer—in fact, it’s the largest exporter of propane in the world.

As of 2023, the U.S. exported nearly 1.5 million barrels of propane per day.

Key producing regions include:

Texas (Permian Basin)
Louisiana
North Dakota
Appalachia (Marcellus Shale region)

These areas are rich in both oil and natural gas, which makes them ideal for propane recovery.

How Is Propane Used?

Propane’s flexibility makes it useful across a wide range of industries and applications. Some of the most common include:

Manufacturing

Used for powering industrial ovens, furnaces, metal-cutting torches, and heat-treating processes.

Construction

Common for portable heating equipment, power tools, generators, and tar kettles.

Agriculture

Heats greenhouses and barns, powers irrigation pumps, and dries crops like corn and tobacco.

Transportation

Powers forklifts, delivery vehicles, buses, and fleet trucks as a clean-burning alternative to gasoline or diesel.

Residential & Commercial Use

Space heating, hot water, cooking, and backup power in areas not served by natural gas pipelines.

Over 50 million U.S. homes and countless businesses rely on propane for daily operations.

Why Should You Care How Propane Is Made?

Understanding how propane is made isn’t just trivia—it’s practical knowledge, especially if you’re working in an industry that depends on fuel reliability, cost stability, or environmental performance.

1. It Affects Pricing

Propane prices can fluctuate based on the natural gas and crude oil markets, export levels, and seasonal demand (especially in winter).

U.S. retail propane prices can range between $0.50 to over $3.00 per gallon, depending on location and time of year.

2. It Impacts Supply Chains

If you manage logistics or operations, understanding propane’s production and distribution helps you plan around weather events, shipping delays, and global energy trends.

3. It Informs Environmental Compliance

Propane is listed as a clean alternative fuel under the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992, but its perception and regulation can shift depending on how it’s produced and used.

What About Renewable Propane?

This is an exciting area of development. Renewable propane is chemically identical to conventional propane but is made from non-fossil feedstocks like plant oils, animal fats, and used cooking oils.

While production is still small-scale, it’s growing fast—particularly in places like California with low-carbon fuel mandates.

A leader in this space, Neste, produces renewable propane as part of its broader biofuel program.

Final Thoughts: From Source to Storage

To answer the question, “How is propane made?”—it’s not something that’s cooked up in a factory. It’s a valuable byproduct of the natural gas and oil industries, refined through sophisticated separation processes and delivered via a global network of infrastructure.

If you use propane in your business or home, understanding where it comes from helps you make smarter choices—from budgeting to planning for supply needs to exploring greener alternatives.

And next time you see a propane tank, whether it’s behind a restaurant or next to a forklift, you’ll know the long and complex journey that gas took to get there.

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What Does Freon Smell Like?

April 4, 2025 Peggy Jindra

A Straightforward Guide for Business Owners Who Work with Refrigerants

If you’ve ever walked into a back room, equipment closet, or warehouse floor and caught a whiff of something strange—something chemical, almost sweet—you might’ve asked yourself, “Is that Freon I’m smelling?”

I’ve worked in the gas and refrigeration industries for over 20 years, and this question still comes up regularly. Whether it’s a facility manager in a food plant or a service tech in a large office complex, the mystery around Freon’s smell always causes a bit of uncertainty.

So, let’s break it down. Not just what Freon smells like, but what it means if you can smell it, what you should do, and how to protect your equipment and people.

First Things First: What Is Freon, Really?

Freon isn’t a single substance. It’s actually a brand name, kind of like Kleenex or Velcro. Chemically speaking, Freon refers to a family of gases used as refrigerants. These include CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). You’ll probably recognize names like:

R-22 – an older refrigerant used in many air conditioners and commercial systems
R-134a – commonly found in automotive systems and some industrial refrigeration
R-410A – a newer, ozone-friendly alternative to R-22

When people say “Freon,” they’re usually referring to whatever refrigerant their equipment uses—even if it’s not technically a Freon-branded product.

Okay, So What Does Freon Smell Like?

Here’s where it gets tricky. Most refrigerants, including Freon, are designed to be odorless. That’s right—if your system is working properly, there shouldn’t be any smell at all.

That said, when a leak happens, people often report a scent. It’s not always consistent, but there are some common descriptions:

Sweet, like chloroform or nail polish remover
Slightly metallic or chemical
Ether-like
Faintly musty or burnt

Keep in mind, this varies from person to person. Some people don’t smell anything at all, while others catch a strong whiff right away. Also, depending on where the leak happens—say the refrigerant comes into contact with oil, hot surfaces, or insulation materials—the smell might be altered.

Why Smelling Freon Should Raise an Eyebrow

If someone in your facility says they’re picking up a strange chemical smell near your cooling equipment, you shouldn’t ignore it. Even if it turns out to be nothing, the potential risks make it worth investigating.

1. Health Concerns

Freon isn’t super toxic in small doses, but if enough leaks into a confined space, it can displace oxygen. People might experience:

Dizziness
Headaches
Nausea
Coughing or breathing difficulty

In high concentrations, it can lead to serious respiratory issues or heart rhythm changes. Not something you want your team dealing with on a Tuesday afternoon.

2. Damage to Equipment

When refrigerant levels drop due to a leak, your system can’t function properly. It has to work harder, which leads to:

Reduced cooling power
Increased energy bills
Compressor strain or outright failure
Downtime—and we all know what that costs

3. Environmental & Legal Risks

Certain refrigerants, especially older ones like R-22, are regulated under environmental laws. If you’re leaking them into the atmosphere, you could be violating EPA regulations, even if it’s unintentional.

Some leaks require reporting, documentation, or even fines depending on your industry.

What Else Should You Look (or Listen) For?

The smell is just one piece of the puzzle. A Freon leak usually shows up in other ways, too. Watch for:

Unusual hissing sounds from refrigerant lines
Frost or ice buildup on coils or copper lines
Oily residue near joints, valves, or fittings
Cooling issues, like warm air from vents or uneven temps in storage rooms

If your energy bill suddenly spikes for no good reason, that’s another red flag.

Real-World Example: A Close Call in a Cold Storage Facility

A couple of years ago, a client of ours—a regional food distributor—noticed a sweet smell near one of their walk-in freezers. One of the warehouse supervisors mentioned it during a routine check-in. They figured it was maybe cleaning chemicals or something harmless.

It wasn’t.

We came in with detection equipment and found a slow R-22 leak. The pressure had dropped just enough to start affecting cooling efficiency, and the system was about a week away from full compressor failure.

They dodged a major bullet. If that freezer had gone down, they were looking at tens of thousands in product loss—not to mention repair costs.

All because someone trusted their nose.

But Wait—Are You Sure It’s Freon?

Let’s not jump to conclusions. In a lot of industrial spaces, multiple gases might be in play. That sweet chemical smell might be refrigerant, but it could also be:

Ammonia – used in industrial chillers (pungent, burns the nose)
Natural gas – has that rotten egg smell (due to mercaptan added)
Propane or butane blends – also odorized
CO₂ leaks – totally odorless but dangerous in high concentrations

This is why smell alone isn’t enough. If you’re using multiple gas systems, make sure your team knows the difference and your detection systems are up to snuff.

So, What Should You Do If You Smell Freon?

Don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. Here’s a simple action plan:

1. Ventilate the Area

If the smell is strong and indoors, get some fresh air flowing. Open doors or windows. Turn on fans. Get people out of confined areas.

2. Shut Down the Equipment

If it’s safe, power off the unit in question. This prevents further refrigerant loss and stops the system from running under strain.

3. Call a Licensed Technician

Don’t try to DIY a refrigerant issue. You need an EPA-certified HVAC technician to legally handle and recharge refrigerants.

4. Log the Incident

Make note of the date, time, location, what was noticed, and who reported it. This helps with future maintenance planning and may be required by regulators.

5. Inspect Other Units

A single leak might be a fluke—or it might be a sign that your other systems are aging out. Do a quick check of similar units while you’re at it.

Want to Prevent This Altogether? Here’s How

The best way to handle a Freon leak is not to have one in the first place. Here’s how to stack the odds in your favor:

Regular Maintenance

Don’t skip those quarterly checks. A little prevention goes a long way in catching wear-and-tear before it becomes a real problem.

Upgrade Old Systems

Still using R-22? It’s time to move on. Modern refrigerants are not only better for the environment—they’re more efficient and easier to maintain.

Install Leak Detection Sensors

Especially if you run cold storage, labs, or anything that relies on consistent cooling. Detectors can catch what your nose misses.

Train Your Team

Even a basic 10-minute “what to look for” rundown can empower your employees to speak up before a small issue becomes a disaster.

Wrapping It Up: Smelling Freon Means It’s Time to Act

If you’re asking, “What does Freon smell like?”—you’re already on the right track. That curiosity or concern could be the thing that saves you thousands of dollars in lost product, system downtime, or worse.

To recap:

Freon usually doesn’t smell, but when it leaks, people describe it as sweet or chemical-like
If you do smell something off, take it seriously—don’t just spray air freshener and move on
Respond quickly: ventilate, shut down, call in a pro
And build a culture of awareness in your facility—your equipment (and bottom line) will thank you

Need help figuring out if your system is due for an inspection or upgrade? Give us a call—we’ll make sure you’re safe, compliant, and running cold.