Zone 4: Mixed Climate

About Climate Zone 4

Climate Zone 4 represents the transition between warm and cool climates, with balanced heating and cooling seasons. Winters last 4-5 months with regular freezing temperatures, and heating represents a significant energy expense. Propane furnaces in Zone 4 run steadily from November through March, with consumption near the national average baseline of 5,000 Heating Degree Days. This zone includes many mid-Atlantic, upper South, and Pacific Northwest states where both heating and cooling are important considerations. For propane users in Zone 4, heating typically accounts for 50-60% of annual propane consumption. The balance between heating demand and mild-climate efficiency makes Zone 4 an excellent benchmark for national average propane calculations. Homes in this zone benefit significantly from efficiency improvements like upgraded insulation, air sealing, and modern high-efficiency furnaces.

States in Zone 4

The following 13 states fall within Climate Zone 4. The table shows each state's Heating Degree Days, average propane price, and estimated annual propane cost for a standard full-home setup (80K BTU furnace, 40-gallon water heater, cooking range, and clothes dryer).

Heating Efficiency Tips for Zone 4

Zone 4 offers excellent returns on efficiency investments. Upgrading from an 80% AFUE furnace to a 95% condensing model saves 15-18% annually. Programmable thermostats save 10-15%. Air sealing and insulation improvements save 20-30%. The combined effect can reduce heating propane by 40-50%.

Insulation Requirements for Zone 4

Zone 4 requires R-20 walls and R-49 ceiling insulation. Meeting or exceeding these standards is important for managing heating costs. Consider adding insulation to basement walls, rim joists, and crawl spaces where heat loss is often underestimated.

Propane Consumption Patterns in Zone 4

Homes in Zone 4 experience moderate seasonal variation in propane consumption. Winter months see elevated usage due to heating, but the difference between winter and summer is less extreme than in colder zones. A typical full-home setup uses approximately 249.9 gal per month during winter and 64.7 gal per month during summer. This moderate seasonality allows for flexible delivery scheduling, with most homes needing 2-4 deliveries per year.

For accurate estimates tailored to your specific state within Zone 4, visit the state pages or use the interactive calculator with your state selected for climate-adjusted results. You can also browse our setup scenarios to find a configuration that matches your home's propane appliance mix.

Other Climate Zones