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The Propane Education & Research Council offers vital programs and services that benefit retailers and consumers.
BY CAROL DAUS
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PHOTO: Provided by AEI |
Awalk through HPBExpo’s exhibition hall immediately reveals that propane (sometimes referred to as liquefied petroleum gas, LP gas or LPG) is used to power a broad range of outdoor-living and hearth products. These include gas grills, outdoor fireplaces, firepits, outdoor heaters, outdoor lights, mosquito eliminators, spa and hot-tub heaters, backup generators and indoor fireplaces. The retailers who sell these products and the manufacturers that produce propane-powered products benefit from many of the programs offered by the Washington, D.C.-based Propane Education & Research Council.
PERC was authorized in 1996 by the U.S. Congress to serve as a resource both for the propane industry and for consumers who use products powered by propane. It was modeled on many agricultural-product education organizations, such as the National Dairy Council and the National Pork Producers Council. PERC receives funding through an assessment of half of one cent for each gallon of odorized propane gas sold in the marketplace.
Kate Caskin, senior vice president, PERC, explains that the council “was created to promote the safe and efficient use of propane. In doing so, it focuses on improving consumer and employee safety, explores ways to fund research and development of new and more efficient propane equipment and works to expand public awareness of propane and its many uses and environmental advantages.”
Recognizing that the outdoor-living and hearth industries produce many propane-based products, PERC is committed to working together with manufacturers and retailers to help educate consumers about the benefits of propane as a fuel source. “PERC welcomes the opportunity to partner with the outdoor-living and hearth industries to promote products that can enhance the quality of life for consumers,” Caskin says.
As part of its educational efforts, PERC participates in trade shows that involve manufacturers in the outdoor-living and hearth industries, such as HPBExpo, and also works closely with the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association to help increase consumer awareness of products and their understanding of propane. Since a primary focus is consumer safety, PERC regularly posts articles and information on its Web site (www.usepropane.com) on using outdoor grills and fireplaces safely. “We encourage retailers to visit our Web site and reproduce the information that we provide for consumers,” Caskin stresses. “The material on our Web site has been researched thoroughly and packaged in such a way that it’s easy for consumers to understand and put into use.”
PERC also increases consumer awareness of propane-based products through advertising and public-relations efforts. For the past several years, the organization has invested in a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign promoting the use of propane in outdoor residential applications. The campaign, which features two real-life, comical characters, the Energy Guys, is broadcast on national cable television on networks such as HGTV, Great American Country, DIY Network, the Weather Channel and CMT. “These ads invite viewers to take a tour outdoors to learn about the different ways propane is used as a fuel,” Caskin says.
Researchers at PERC also provide a valuable service for the outdoor-living and hearth industries by conducting studies on consumer trends and product development. These studies are not only informative for retailers and manufacturers, but also are used as promotional tools to increase demand for propane-based products. One recent study found that 60 percent of households in the United States own a propane grill and 24 percent use a firepit, outdoor fireplace or chimenea for heat. According to PERC, freestanding gas grills tend to be gateway products since, after buying them, consumers often purchase other propane-based products such as firepits, outdoor fireplaces, built-in gas grills or patio heaters.
Another recent survey from PERC supported the finding that increasing numbers of women are involved in grilling, from purchasing the products to cooking and cleaning. Compared with the time when they were growing up, women today are much more likely to be the primary griller in their household (37 percent) than were their mothers (23 percent). Nearly 40 percent of women say they are grilling more often today than in the past few years. The survey also found, however, that a third of women report not knowing enough about safe grilling practices. “Keeping a few simple safety tips in mind can only add to the overall grilling experience and help make grilling an enjoyable, everyday cooking method,” Caskin notes. Retailers can access these grilling tips by visiting PERC’s Web site and clicking on the Consumer Safety Information button.
PERC also helps consumers and retailers locate propane retailers with its Find a Propane Retailer service on the PERC Web site. By simply entering a ZIP code, individuals can find propane retailers in their communities.
The National Propane Gas Association, the national trade association representing the U.S. propane industry, partners with PERC to advance safety throughout the industry and increase the use of propane. Instead of focusing on research and education as PERC does, NPGA relies on lobbying and advocacy efforts to achieve public policies favorable to the industry. According to Caskin, state affiliates of NPGA can be an excellent resource for state affiliates of the HPBA in creating partnerships that result in favorable policies for the outdoor-living and hearth industries. “In addition, we are working on establishing partnerships between the state propane gas associations and state homebuilder associations, as well as the manufactured housing associations,” Caskin says.
As Caskin notes, all of these organizations, along with outdoor-living and hearth manufacturers and retailers, are trying to accomplish the same goal: to increase consumer demand for products. With so much interest focused on outdoor-living areas and indoor hearth rooms, it is obvious that the public is already responding well to PERC’s message. “We know how precious indoor and outdoor living space is to homeowners,” Caskin says, adding that helping to educate them about how propane can be used to improve the quality of their lives makes sense.
PERC AT GLANCE
• Authorized by Congress
• Created to promote
use of propane
• Modeled after agricultural-based
educational organizations
• Works closely with
• Based in Washington,
• www.usepropane.com
• (202) 452-8975 |
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Kate Caskin
Senior Vice President |
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