Heating your home is an important decision towards comfort, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Among the many heating options available today, two of the most popular include natural gas vs. propane. Both have their merits and demerits, which are discussed below to help guide an informed decision toward heating needs.
It is a fossil fuel that mainly consists of methane, but it also comes from underground where it has been locked within its reservoirs for millions of years. Then, that fuel is processed further as soon as the fuel is extracted from the earth to get rid of contaminants. Further, it passes through pipelines directly to the houses and businesses. It also provides continuity of supply, and for most homes, it is easy and reliable as a fuel source.
Propane is commonly known as liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG. Propane is obtained from crude oil refining and natural gas processing. While natural gas is compressed into a liquid form and kept in tanks, propane is different. Sometimes, it arrives straight to a house in the canister or large tanks. In this regard, propane has been known to be a convenient source of energy used for power in heating homes, water heaters, stoves, as well as outdoor grills.
Some of the comparison factors that are critical regarding natural gas vs propane have to do with the volume of each fuel that creates heat. The British Thermal Unit is a measure of energy for heating; specifically, it measures the volume of heat necessary to lift one pound of water to a degree Fahrenheit.
This means that propane gives more than twice the amount of heat natural gas would for every cubic foot. For a householder, this would be a fewer number of propane loads for the same measure of heat to be delivered and would probably make it a better fuel source.
Most homeowners consider fuel costs. Usually, the price of natural gas and propane varies with supply and demand, regional availability, and seasonal variations.
Normally it is measured in cubic feet, and the price of natural gas is relatively cheaper compared to propane. According to recent data, natural gas is relatively cheaper in regions with huge pipeline infrastructure.
Propane prices in a per-gallon system. Because propane is one of the fuel gases but has a higher BTU rating, it is going to offer strong heating energy; however, its unit tends to be costlier than natural gas, which can be more costly in the long run.
Natural gas as well as propane are cleaner-burning fuel types compared to types from coal and oil and hold different implications for environmental performance.
In comparison, natural gas emits less carbon dioxide compared to propane. But at the same time, it also gives off methane, which is quite a powerful greenhouse gas, with its effect much stronger on climatic changes.
The rate of greenhouse emissions by burning propane will be low when compared to the combustion rate of natural gas. Propane is regarded as “green fuel” since it does not destroy the surrounding environment before and after its combustion, so it becomes more friendly in a family that cares more about its carbon footprint.
In general, safety and storage requirements for propane and natural gas are different. Those differences affect how each fuel might be used in a residence.
Natural gas is lighter than air and disperses rapidly in open spaces. It can be delivered through pipelines and therefore leaks in underground lines can be hard to detect and repair.
Propane stores its tanks in pressurised tanks. The tanks of propane are generally stored at outside locations. Though propane is denser than air and can be collected in any low places if leaked, yet because of the use of propane in isolated containers, there is less explosion from leakage in central pipe networks.
It would be convenient and cheaper in natural gas, in consideration that your house falls on the same pipeline, but areas without the infrastructures of natural gas will most likely opt for the use of propane as one can have propane tanks installed and maintained personally instead of utility providers.
For the owner of the home, it is a viable alternative as propane has less emission and smaller environmental footprint compared with others. This is also the case when the area permits the use of renewable propane, giving another advantage to reduce carbon footprint.
In heating efficiency, those who value it might consider propane better because it has a high BTU rating. This means that it will consume less fuel and heat quickly, especially in colder places or large houses.
LP Propane will assure you that we have got reliable high-quality propane available for your heating needs. Our team is here to help you decide whether to go with propane for heating your home or not. We can assist you throughout the entire process of providing expert installation, maintenance, and fuel delivery.
All this depends on what’s most suitable for your house: infrastructure, environmental considerations, heating requirements, or cost of fuel. A suitable choice for a family that lives in a remote place or for a more eco-friendly solution is a high-efficiency, mobile, and low-footprint fuel-providing element known as propane. For someone who has a ready supply, natural gas comes in handy and is much cheaper. Contact LP Propane for professional advice on making the switch to propane or learning more about our propane services. Either way, knowing your options will help you make the best decision for your home and family.
