Propane Vs. Electricity: What Keeps You Warmer?
Prolonged Power Outages Remain a Concern
Every winter brings extreme weather to some part of the country, and along with that comes widespread power failures that leave many Americans without heat, sometimes for prolonged periods of time.
Fortunately, millions of Americans have been able to rely on propane for warmth, hot water and cooking– even if their power goes out. Watch this short video about propane.
The Rush to Electricity
That’s why it’s so alarming that many officials in government—at the federal, state and municipal level– continue to push for the increased use of electricity in favor of other fuels. In the case of homes, that may mean replacing propane, natural gas and oil-fired heating systems with electric heat pumps.
But heat pump conversions are expensive and do not work very efficiently when the weather gets cold. Plus, electricity is not a clean fuel. It is generated at power plants. Electricity production generates the second largest share of greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately 63% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas.*
Our Aging Power Grid
It is feared that an all-out “electrify everything” policy would increase the average residential household cost, result in minimal reductions in emissions and put a severe strain on our aging electric grid.
The fact is, the electric infrastructure in this country fails us time and time again, causing massive disruption, frustration, and discomfort. Remember the massive energy disaster that occurred in Texas in February 2021?
Here’s another alarming fact: most of today’s grid was built in the years following World War II. But now, it’s reaching capacity and old equipment is failing.
Considering that the U.S. Department of Energy has called the electric grid in our country the largest machine on the planet, upgrading our electric infrastructure will be a massive—and ultra-expensive–undertaking.
Propane: Energy for Everyone
Because propane has such a low carbon content, it produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants, making it a clean-burning energy source that can reliably fuel homes, heat water, and even power vehicles.
Propane generates more Btu’s than an equivalent amount of electricity, so you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat energy. Also, clean-burning propane appliances are efficient, because they waste very little fuel in the combustion process, unlike electric-powered appliances.
That’s why, hands down, propane is better for the environment and for your home. Read more about propane vs. electricity. You can also learn more about propane and the environment here.