Just as propane-powered mowers and other equipment were starting to catch on in landscaping and other industries, the price of gasoline has come down.
But that isn't discouraging companies such as Professional Diversified Services of Cocoa from extolling the long-term environmental and cost benefits of propane. The company is among the first businesses in Florida to use propane-powered mowers and equipment.
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"I'm always looking out for new technologies," said Jonathan Clark, director of business development at Professional Diversified Services. "I could see this thing developing with oil prices going up . . . and I was looking for something that differentiates us."
As of Monday, the national average price of regular unleaded gas was $2.07 a gallon, down from $3.09 a year earlier, while the average price of propane for residential use was $2.46 a gallon, up from $2.39 a gallon a year earlier, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Still, given the volatility in the petroleum markets, more manufacturers are producing propane-powered mowers and other equipment, compared with several years ago, as more companies seek to go "green" and use alternative fuels, said Brian Feehan, vice president of the Propane Education and Research Council.
For example, sales of propane-powered forklifts also have increased to about 75,000 last year from about 36,000 in 2002, Feehan said.
"It's a relatively new marketplace," Feehan added. "In the past year, more manufacturers are getting involved."
Feehan said the growing market for such equipment is being driven by environmental regulations to reduce air emissions, as well as cost considerations.
Propane is a byproduct of two other processes: natural gas processing and petroleum refining.
Most people know propane as the fuel in a white container attached to a barbecue grill. But propane has long proven its versatility for heating homes, heating water, cooking, drying clothes and fueling gas fireplaces, and as an alternative fuel for vehicles, according to the Department of Energy.
Propane naturally occurs as a gas at atmospheric pressure, but it can be liquefied if subjected to moderately increased pressure. It is stored and transported in its compressed liquid form, but it is vaporized into a gas for use, the department said.
Even with oil and gas prices on the decline, Clark still sees a purpose for propane.
He thinks Professional Diversified Services will save money in the long run by continuing to use propane-powered equipment. He said his company could do the same job using fewer gallons of propane than gallons of gas.
He also likes propane for environmental reasons because it produces fewer emissions than gas-powered equipment.
"I think it's definitely going to grow," he added about the propane-powered equipment market. "We're just happen to be on the front side of it."
Professional Diversified Services has been using propane-powered equipment for more than two years. Clarke estimates about 30 percent of the company's equipment is propane-powered, and there are plans to buy more in the future.
Darrell and Antonia Mack own the company, which has about 20 employees, and specializes in grounds maintenance, janitorial services and other contract work.
The firm landed a $164,000-plus annual contract this year with the city of Cape Canaveral to maintain local parks and other public areas. The company also is waiting for federal approval to use propane mowers for a grounds maintenance contract at Patrick Air Force Base.
The city of Cape Canaveral selected Professional Diversified Services for several reasons: The company was the low bidder for the contract, it has a solid reputation and the environmentally-friendly aspects were appealing, said Walter Bandish, the city's public works director.
"They're an innovative company that tries new ideas," Bandish said. "And we're trying to be a 'green' city."