Restoring Van Buren Propane Home
Located on the riverbank in the beautiful Ozarks, this home stands as a testament to the tenacity of the Van Buren community. Utilizing propane as the main energy source provides environmental and outdoor recreation benefits, supporting a reliable and independent lifestyle. Sustainable home features and outdoor entertainment components will keep this family running alongside the Current River for years to come.
The Van Buren Home Story
In Van Buren’s record-setting flood of 2017, the Current River, located just steps out the family’s back door, crested at 37 feet, sweeping their home away. Renewed pride for their town, respect for the river that borders the home site, and utilizing propane's clean energy allowed Brian and Deanna Keathley to build back stronger than ever.
Living in harmony with the natural environment on the river bank, the location of this home cultivates a desire to lead an active, outdoor lifestyle. Building in a reliable and sustainable way, as well as preserving the wildlife around the home, was the Keathley’s primary inspiration for choosing propane as the main energy source. In partnership with the Missouri Propane Education & Research Council (MOPERC), this home is centered around several propane appliances that are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and independent.
With direct access to the river from the backyard, this home is completely immersed in nature, just like the town of Van Buren. The area is home to Big Spring - not only the largest spring in Missouri, but also one of the largest springs in the world. The daily average of some 278 million gallons of clean water that flows from the spring to the Current River is what makes it a true gem in the Ozarks and an ideal recreational destination.
Featured Propane Appliances
High-efficiency Furnaces
Consistent, reliable heat is a must during Missouri’s colder seasons and this furnace eliminates cool spots throughout the home. Energy Star qualified, the Lennox SLP99V is one of the quietest and most efficient furnace models available on the market. Paired with the back-up power of the generator, this family is set for whatever the winter weather brings.
Tankless Water Heater
In stark contrast to the cool flow of fresh spring water nearby, a promise of all the hot water, for as long as you need it, comes from this Navien tankless water heater. After long days on the river or late nights out on the deck, propane provides the comfort and heat Missouri residents look for in their water needs.
Kitchen Range
Slide-in ranges are engineered to fit in any freestanding range cutout, creating a built-in look that provides an elevated design upgrade. Featuring five cooktop burners, including an 18,000 BTU burner, this Bosch 800 series provides greater cooking flexibility. Propane is engineered for precision and reliability, and performs tirelessly to bring ease to kitchen needs.
Standby Generator
Through rain, snow and ice, the Keathley's can enjoy peace of mind with a propane generator that can supply the entire home in the event of power loss. The Cummins 17kW Home Standby Generator RS17A monitors the power company distribution lines 24/7, then automatically runs when it detects an outage and will continue to run until the utility restores power.
Heat Pump
Energy-saving and efficient operation were determining factors in appliance selection for these homeowners. The Lennox XP20 offers variable-capacity operation, meaning it can adjust heating and cooling output like a dimmer switch to perfectly match comfort needs to energy use. It also helps control the Missouri humidity with exacting precision.
Fireplace
A propane fireplace can independently heat an entire room or section of a home. Homeowners that choose propane can enjoy the ambiance of a real flame without the hassle of wood, ash or smoke. The Empire Vail VFP24 fireplace is an ideal addition for a home located near the cool of the river bank and Missouri bottoms.
Project Details
The appeal of the home is centered around several cost-effective, eco-friendly, and independent appliances, that will allow the Keathley's to enjoy their natural surroundings to the fullest. Propane powers seven features in this 2-bed, 2.5-bath home, making the rebuild as strong as the river that flows just out the back door.
An Energy Star qualified Lennox furnace, paired with a Lennox heat pump, will keep this home comfortable through the colder seasons, while managing humidity levels and temperature changes the rest of the year. The Navien tankless water heater and a Cummins 17kW standby generator combine to bring comfort, security and cost efficiency to the project. In addition, an Empire Vail VFP24 fireplace, Bosch 800 five-burner kitchen range, and outdoor tube heaters will keep this home energized year-round, inside and out.
Today, propane is powering a cleaner world in homes, like this one, through furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, cooktops and backup generators. It provides an immediate and effective way to make a positive impact on the environment and is the main reason several National Parks across the country are switching to autogas to fuel their services. Propane is a non-poisonous, non-toxic fuel that won’t contaminate soil or groundwater, making it an environmentally conscious energy choice for homes near fresh water sources like the Keathley's.
