As you look for Georgian Bay homes, you'll notice that there are three types of fuels used: propane, natural gas and electric. All three are very effective for keeping homes cool or warm, or for cooking dinner. There are differences between them, of course, and you can learn more about those differences below! Propane One of the positive attributes that a propane furnace offers is they are energy efficient with a 90% or higher efficiency rating. For aesthetics as well as safety purposes, propane storage tanks can now be buried underground. Generally propane furnaces have lower maintenance costs and longer performance lives than traditional gas furnaces. Propane, like natural gas, is a highly green energy source. It emits lower levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when burned, and it also burns clean leaving no residue. Also, like with natural gas furnaces, propane furnaces have a flame and an odorant. However, the risk of any fires can be virtually eliminated with regular inspections of the fuel lines. Electric If you use electricity for heating, you will find that electric heating systems are less expensive and usually easier to install. These systems also have fewer moving parts, and are quick to respond and quiet to operate. Electricity provides clean heat, at least for the homeowner. That means that when electricity is used there is no by-product to deal with. There is no residue, no danger of combustibility from fumes, and no flames which might cause a fire. The only real drawback to electrical heating is that if the power goes out, there is no heat. Depending on the area of the country, electric heating can cost more than heating with natural gas. Natural Gas The most common use of natural gas is for home heating. There are many reasons why this energy source is being used. The fact that it consists of methane, which only has one atom of carbon, means that it produces about 70% less carbon dioxide and it leaves no ash or residue so it's makes it a cleaner source for energy than coal or oil. Right now natural gas is cost effective because there is an abundant supply. However, the disadvantage to natural gas is that there is not an endless supply since it is not a renewable source of energy. Once it's gone it's gone. And, critics of natural gas note that its extraction leaves craters in the earth. Some safety measures should be taken when using natural gas heat or appliances. Natural gas is combustible if handled improperly. The fumes are toxic if inhaled and can lead to serious illness or even death. For that reason, an odorant which some say smells like rotten eggs has been added to natural gas which alerts people to a leak. It is highly recommended that carbon monoxide detectors be installed in homes that use natural gas. If you are interested in more in-depth comparisons of various fuel costs, the following information will be helpful: Propane vs Natural Gas? First off, let’s look at what propane is. It is one of several gases which make up what is known as “natural gas”. It is a hydrocarbon found in natural gas which has been separated from the other gases at a processing facility. The propane, after it is separated from the other gases, is stored and sold to propane dealers for end use by consumers. Propane is stored as a liquid, but natural gas can also be stored in both liquefied natural gas (LNG) state or as a compressed natural gas (CNG). At this point, it is appropriate to point out that natural gas is considered a pollutant when it is released into the environment, but that unused propane does not contribute to pollution when released. So, propane is considered a green fuel before combustion and remains environmentally friendly even afterwards. There are pros and cons for both propane and natural gas. From a cost perspective, let’s note that natural gas is measured in cubic feet, and propane is measured by gallons, but they both use BTU as their effectiveness ratings. The BTU (British Thermal Units) of a cubic foot of natural gas is 1,030 BTU. In its vapor form, the BTU of a cubic foot of propane is 2,490. If the cost of natural gas is $15 per 1,000 cubic feet, you’ll have about 1.03 million BTU of energy for your $15. That would be equal to the BTU of about 11.26 gallons of propane. At $2.50 per gallon, propane is a less cost effective energy solution. Propane vs electricity? Now, let’s look at propane versus electricity as a heating source. In needs to be noted that electricity is a by-product of another energy source such as natural gas or petroleum, coal, nuclear, or hydropower. While propane’s usable energy is rated in BTUs, electricity’s usable energy is measured in kilowatt hours. One gallon of propane is equal to 27 KWh (Kilowatt Hours) of electricity. That is to say that one gallon of propane contains 27 KWh, or 27 KWh equals approximately 91,500 BTU. As an example, a 100-watt light bulb left on for 24 hours will use 2.4 KWh. If it were powered by propane it would use .09 gallon of propane. So, as an example, if we look at the electric bill and the cost is 12¢ per KWh, the electrical cost comparison to a gallon of propane would be $3.24. The cost comparison then would be that if propane is less than $3.24 per gallon, it is less expensive than electricity. If it is more than $3.24, it’s more expensive. The cost of these two energy sources fluctuates making it impossible to definitively say that one is the less expensive option.
Among the non-monetary things to consider for your heating energy source are the availability of natural gas in your area and the cost of propane that may fluctuate dramatically with seasons. While electricity may be more or less expensive, it is flameless. However, it uses a primary source of energy such as coal or oil in its creation. |