PFM Propane is now Pico Propane. Learn More →
Written on: October 28, 2024
For a lot of people, propane is the gas you use to fire up your grill, run appliances in your RV or maybe fuel a patio heater. When they learn it’s an efficient, eco-friendly, and versatile option for heating and other appliances in their homes, they have questions. Like, where does propane come from exactly?
Propane is a byproduct of natural gas. When natural gas is taken out of the earth, it’s a mix of different gases, including propane. To stop condensation from forming in natural gas pipelines, propane is extracted from liquid compounds as the natural gas is being processed. Propane, being much denser as a liquid than as a gas, is stored and transported as a liquid in this form of production. (This is why it’s also referred to as LPG or Liquid Propane Gas).
Propane is shipped to bulk distribution centers by pipeline, tanker ship, railroad, truck or barge. From there, propane distributors bring it to a local propane provider like Pico, here in North Carolina.
Many folks are surprised—and pleased—to learn that most propane comes from shale gas extraction right here in the U.S. Today, close to 70 percent of the U.S. propane supply comes from natural gas processing here and in Canada.
Here’s what else you probably didn’t know about propane, and why so many customers are making the switch:
Propane is one of the cleanest fuels around. It produces minimal emissions, and unlike natural gas, propane does not contain methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In fact, it was recognized as an alternative fuel in both the 1990 Clean Air Act and the 1992 National Energy Policy. Propane also doesn’t harm soil or groundwater – an important factor when it comes to determining whether a fuel is “green.”
Propane is also more efficient: It generates more Btus than an equivalent amount of electricity, and it delivers more than twice the Btus of natural gas, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat or energy. That means by using propane you can reduce your home’s carbon footprint without having to sacrifice comfort or convenience.
Today, propane is one of the safest sources of energy around – not to mention one of the most versatile and efficient ways to power just about any equipment you need to keep your family safe and comfortable in any season. But scientists are working to make propane even cleaner.
They have been developing renewable propane that, like biofuels, is made from fats, vegetable oils and certain types of grease. Since it is molecularly identical to propane, there will be no need to replace or alter existing propane appliances and equipment. And, as renewable propane use increases, it will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions nationwide, helping fight the effects of climate change.
While it is not in common use yet, renewable propane gas has positioned itself to be a major part of the clean fuel conversation in the years ahead.
Whether you’re ready to make the switch, or have more questions, the Pros at Pico have the knowledge, experience and resources to answer all your questions about the benefits of a propane-fueled home. And, we can get you started, with the right size propane tank for your needs, reliable propane delivery and more.
Contact us for more information today.
