When Ron and Lori Olfers say they love to entertain, they mean it.
The couple, who live in the Seven Oaks subdivision in Austin, TX,
use their expansive 2,000-square-foot outdoor living space for
a wide range of functions, including church events, concerts,
fundraisers—even a wedding. The Olfers and their close friends
also use the space for smaller, more intimate gatherings all
through the year.
The key features of the outdoor living space include a kitchen
with a Wolf grill, a spa, two pools, and a fireplace. Those
appliances have helped make entertaining a breeze, thanks to
energy supplied by metered gas service from a community
propane tank. "With propane, I never think about it not being
there," says Ron Olfers. "I just turn it on."
Another propane characteristic that appeals to the family is its
clean-burning nature. That important environmental benefit is a
selling point for consumers who seek to balance value with
"green-conscious" building or remodeling investments. "It's less
expensive to heat a home with propane than electricity," says
Michael Bodine, area manager for Austin-based Sharp Propane,
which provides service to the Olfers' neighborhood.