Due to overwhelming interest, the Propane Education & Research Council is extending the timeframe for landscape contractors to  receive double the incentive dollars awarded through PERC’s Propane Mower Incentive Program. Initially set to expire at the end of the year, program participants will now be able to earn $2,000 toward the purchase of a new propane-powered mower and $1,000 toward a qualified conversion as the program extends through March 31, 2015.

“We’ve seen a dramatic increase in applications since announcing the double incentive opportunity at the beginning of October,” said Jeremy Wishart, PERC’s deputy director of business development. “This heightened interest is proof that contractors understand the long-term value of converting their fleets to propane. The program was created to assist with the upfront costs contractors face when converting their fleets, so taking advantage while the incentive is doubled will help them realize an even greater ROI.”

In October alone, PERC received applications from 76 contractors for more than 200 pieces of equipment after the double incentive promotion was announced. That marked the most applicants the program received in a single month, dating back to its inception in 2012. In 2014, almost 600 contractors have received incentive dollars in exchange for data about their usage and mower performance.

Based in Columbia, Ill., Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping was one of the first to take advantage of the double incentive.

“The program has allowed us to get involved with propane at a much lower cost than what is normally available,” said Michael Lampe, lawn maintenance division manager at Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping. “Propane burns cleaner, costs less to operate, and makes refueling easy with an onsite propane tank. The change over from gas to propane is a no-brainer.”

Contractors can apply for the Mower Incentive Program at propane.com.

The Mower Incentive Program is just one of many tools which PERC offers contractors to help them save money with propane. PERC’s suite of cost-calculator tools is designed for use in the propane industry’s fastest-growing markets, including commercial landscape. The calculator tool, available at propanecostcalculator.com, estimates potential fuel savings and ROI for contractors using clean, American-made propane when compared with conventional fuels like gasoline and diesel.