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Written on: May 27, 2024
If you’re a homeowner who cares about the environment, but you also want to keep your energy costs under control, propane is a win-win option for running many of the appliances and systems in your home. Propane is a versatile and efficient choice, and the benefits to your home, comfort—and, yes, your bottom line—might surprise you. But propane offers a host of environmental benefits, too.
In addition to being versatile and efficient (and therefore budget-friendly), propane is cleaner and greener than electricity in many ways.
There’s a lot of hype about electricity having zero emissions, and even a push to go all-electric in some areas. But the fact is, the generation of electricity is the second-largest creator of greenhouse gasses in the United States. Only the transportation sector creates more greenhouse gases. That’s because more than 63% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas.
Propane, on the other hand, is much more clean burning. It produces 43% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the equivalent amount of electricity. It also produces fewer of the chemicals that lead to acid rain and respiratory problems. And there’s an even “greener” type of propane that’s gaining in usage. Renewable propane is made from sustainable sources—most commonly animal fats and vegetable oils. Much like other biofuels, it has a very small carbon footprint and requires no new or special equipment.
Unlike fuels like coal and oil, propane is not mined. That means is doesn’t contribute to deforestation or destruction of other natural resources. It is primarily manufactured from natural gas as a by-product of methane purification.
Propane also doesn’t harm soil or groundwater—an important factor when it comes to determining whether a fuel is “green.” It’s nontoxic, and will not create an environmental hazard if spilled. When propane vapor is released into the environment, it’s harmless.
What does efficiency have to do with the environment? Propane generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy. Likewise, propane appliances are very efficient, so they waste very little fuel in the combustion process. That kind of efficiency is as beneficial to the environment as it is to your bottom line.
On the other hand, about two-thirds of the energy used by a power plant to generate and transmit electricity is wasted.
We’re all in favor of combatting climate change. The problem is, electricity isn’t as clean as it’s made out to be. Sure, electricity is necessary to run a lot of things—lights, phones, some appliances. But it’s not the smartest choice for all your appliances and systems. Propane is not just a versatile and efficient choice, it’s an environmentally friendly choice.
Let the our pros show you all the ways that propane can help you power your Chatham County home or business. Contact us for more information today.
