Written on: August 28, 2023
Propane gas is a perfect choice for those who strive for environmental responsibility. For starters, it is nontoxic and produces minimal emissions, according to the nonprofit Propane Education and Research Council. Propane is also harmless to soil or groundwater – an important element for being considered a “green” fuel.
Propane is also a low-carbon fuel that does not adversely contribute to the greenhouse effect. In fact, because of its lower greenhouse gas emissions, the US Environmental Protection Agency gave propane its stamp of approval as a clean-burning alternative fuel.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest trends in home energy today is the aggressive government push for conversions to electric heat — at the expense of proven heating fuels like propane and heating oil . This is happening right now in Massachusetts! The argument is that these electric conversions will reduce a home’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
The only problem is that, right now, energy from our electric grid is far from clean. In 2021, the combustion of fossil fuels like natural gas and coal for electricity generation was the nation’s second-largest source of CO2 emissions. And in Massachusetts, more than 70% of the electricity generated is still sourced from natural gas power plants.
Propane generates more Btu than an equivalent amount of electricity, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat energy. The less energy you use, the less carbon emissions are released into the atmosphere. To appreciate propane’s big advantage over electricity in energy efficiency, you have to consider Btu content.
Btu can be used to compare energy sources on an equal basis. To compare propane to electricity, we need to know that:
To make these two energy sources “equal,” divide 91,452 Btu by 3,412 Btu. Your answer will be:
Propane101.com makes this simple comparison to illustrate the efficiency of propane compared to electricity. A 100-watt light bulb left on for 24 hours will consume 2.4 kWh. If propane could be used to power the same light bulb during the same time period, it would only use 9/100th of a gallon of propane.
Renewable propane represents the next step towards a zero-carbon emissions future for the propane industry and propane consumers.
Renewable propane is molecularly identical to propane. But it is made with renewable resources such as animal oils, plant oils, biomass, and other triglycerides.
As the renewable propane sector grows in the years ahead, more people will be able to use it to lower their carbon footprint even further than they do now with traditional propane. Read more about renewable propane.
Almost all the propane used in the U.S. is produced domestically, meaning every gallon you buy contributes to the independence of America’s energy needs.
Maintaining a propane tank on your property gives you the ability to store a sufficient supply that’s always ready for immediate use, eliminating any dependence on an underground gas pipeline.
Please reach out to us if you would like to become a customer and get a propane delivery.
