The Propane Facts
About Propane Gas
Propane is a liquid from components recovered from natural gas processing and crude oil refinement. Propane is then compacted and stored as a liquid, making it colorless, nearly odorless, and non-toxic. This natural gas is considered a green fuel that is energy-efficient and safe to use in residential and commercial properties.
Affordable and Efficient
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, traditional electricity is twice the cost of propane. While the purchase price of propane is higher than the electric model, propane’s high efficiency, lower maintenance cost, and improved engine life make it the preferred choice for homeowners. In addition to these benefits, you have the distinctive ability to purchase ahead of time when prices are low and store it for the winter.
Produced in America
By extracting natural components, natural gas, and petroleum, Propane is promptly available here in the United States. Almost 90% of the Propane usage in the United States is produced here on home soil.
Since Propane is a compressed liquid that provides electricity, it is utilized virtually anywhere, meaning it can be used and transported to many different areas, even those areas beyond the reach of natural gas mains.
Environmentally Friendly
Propane is non-toxic and insoluble in water, and when it diffuses as a gas, it doesn’t spill, pool, or leave a residue. Recent studies by the Southwest Research Institute found that propane exhaust creates 60-70% less smog-producing hydrocarbons than gasoline. Propane cuts emissions of toxins and carcinogens like benzene and toluene by up to 96%.
Safe
Propane is safe and burns clean energy that is safe to use indoors. Propane systems are innovative tools that prevent carbon dioxide from reaching dangerous levels with carbon monoxide detectors. Due mainly to the strict codes and ordinances developed by the propane industry and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), propane has a solid safety record.
Wide Range of Uses
The uses for propane are nearly endless.
Use it in your home to:
- Heat the home
- Cook (stoves)
- Dry clothes
- Heat your water
- Power backup generators
Use it in the summer to:
- Heat your pool and hot tub
- Fuel your BBQ pit
- Fuel your fire pit
- Fuel your patio heaters
Use it in the winter to:
- Fuel fireplaces and fireplace inserts
- Fuel space heaters
Propane vs. Natural Gas
How do propane and natural gas compare?
Safety
Both fuels are highly flammable and should always be cared for with expertise and caution. But due to the infrastructure (and bureaucratic red tape) that comes with natural gas lines, leaks can be challenging to identify and fix. The infrastructure is in place because utility companies and the public utility commission need to understand how to fund repairs or upgrades before taking action.
And, when lines go unattended, accidents happen. For instance, in 2010, a natural gas line owned by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) exploded in San Bruno, Calif., killing eight people. After investigation, Pacific Gas and Electric learned that the gas line was faulty, and PG&E was previously unaware of the line’s damage.
Though propane tanks can also explode, it’s much less likely. And, because widespread gas lines don’t connect propane tanks, the impact is less significant.
By the same token, though some companies that supply natural gas add a scent like sulfur so that you can more easily detect a leak, natural gas leaks can be harder to notice because the fuel is odorless in its natural state.
Environment
Since propane is a natural gas that is considered a greenhouse gas, it ignites roughly 50% fewer emissions than coal. Unlike coal, propane produces a lower quantity of harmful pollutants and is known to be the cleanest burning fuel. If propane were to leak into the ground, it would not harm the local water or soil.
Cost and efficiency
The actual cost of propane vs. natural gas for your residence will depend on several factors, including if your home is outfitted for the fuels. But, for this comparison, we’ll examine propane and natural gas costs in terms of BTUs and gallons.
The average natural gas cost is $8.37 per 1,000 cubic feet, roughly one million BTUs. The U.S. average cost for propane is $2.66 per gallon. One million BTUs of natural gas is approximately 11.20 gallons of propane. The BTU means that for the same amount of fuel, you’ll pay $6.23 for natural gas and $29.79 for propane.
However, true cost should also take into consideration efficiency.
The more efficient the fuel is, the less you’ll use it! Minimizing usage plays a role in overall cost, and research confirmed that propane is the more efficient traditional natural gas fuel. To recall, one cubic foot of propane equals 2,516 BTUs, while one cubic foot of natural gas equals 1,030 BTUs. That means propane is more than twice as effective as the energy produced by natural gas.
Installation
The most notable difference between the fuels is the delivery to your residential or commercial property. To start, not every location in the United States has the option of either propane or natural gas. Depending on where you reside, you may experience restrictions allowing you to choose only one option. Also, how the fuel is stored at your home, and refilled, will be another internal factor.
Natural gas remains in its gaseous state and is delivered to the home through a pipeline, so deliveries aren’t required, but having the infrastructure to receive the fuel is. This infrastructure might include costs like:
- Digging up your yard to bring in a pipeline
- Converting your appliances to natural gas
- Hiring a contractor to help with the updates
These costs can rise to more than $10,000 for homeowners who need a complete conversion. Customers will go to a retail location or turn to a company, such as ours, for delivery to refill. For SouthTex customers, you can use the StayFull app to remotely monitor your tanks so that you’ll have fuel before your tank runs out, eliminating the hassle.
Propane vs. Electric Heat
How do propane and electric heat compare for homeowners?
Cheaper than electric
The U.S. Department of Energy confirmed that heating a home in the U.S. with a propane heating system has a lower cost than heating with an electric method. As well as that, propane water heaters can cost one-third less to perform and recover water twice as fast as electric water heaters. The lower cost of propane energy serves as an excellent benefit for homeowners.
Warmer than electric
Electric heating is short-term and burns a more significant amount of fossil fuels. An electric heat pump produces heat below body temperature (98.6°F), so the air feels cool when placing your hand in front of a vent. Unlike electric systems, a propane gas furnace warms air from about 130°F to 140°F. Additionally, propane furnaces operate in short intervals to minimize operating costs.
Last longer than electric heat pumps
Many energy sources have a shorter shelf life. Unlike other energy sources, propane is easier to store and preserve. On average, propane-fueled furnaces last 5 to 10 years longer than electric heat pumps.
More dependable than electric
Since propane is a compressed natural gas, it can be stored safely in a tank on any commercial or residential property. Unlike propane, electricity is subject to power outages. Propane is a reliable source of energy that works when and where other energy sources don’t – which makes it quite versatile.
Clean
Propane is a green energy resource that helps homeowners minimize emissions and protect the environment. Propane is an approved alternative fuel listed in both the Clean Air Act of 1990 and the National Energy Policy Act of 1992. Moreover, because propane is a gas heat, it doesn’t spill, pool, or leave a residue.
Safe
Propane has quite a remarkable safety record due mainly to the stringent codes and regulations developed by the propane industry and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Propane heat also has built-in safety properties: It won’t ignite when combined with air unless the ignition source reaches 940°F. Propane gas is nontoxic, produces minimal emissions, and is not harmful to soil or water. With propane, what you see is what you get. While electricity is measured in hard-to-understand “kilowatt hours,” propane is measured in familiar “gallons.”
Customer-friendly
When you choose propane, you get 24/7 customer service and support from the SouthTex team – who all live and work where you do – not from the big power companies.
First Responder, Senior Citizen and Military Propane Discounts Available
5% off propane tank installs & $.05 off per gallon on propane refills
