Propane: Your Low Carbon, Zero Waste Fuel

Written on: April 27, 2020

Ask most Americans what source of energy will be most helpful as we begin to tackle the challenges of climate change and they will probably say electricity.

But the truth is that more than one-third of the electricity generated in Pennsylvania is produced by burning natural gas, which is 95 percent methane – a greenhouse gas with 84 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Another 21 percent is generated by burning coal, another substantial greenhouse gas contributor.

That doesn’t sound very environmentally friendly to us.

Propane gas, on the other hand, produces very little carbon dioxide and no methane when it’s burned. In fact, if you chose propane rather over electricity for your space heating, cooking, clothes drying, and water heating, you could shrink your home’s carbon footprint by half.

But carbon reduction is only one advantage that propane holds over electricity when it comes to powering our Pennsylvania homes and appliances.

Consider these propane benefits:

• It produces energy efficiently – According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, nearly two-thirds of electricity generated at most power plants is lost between the plant and the consumer. Propane gas, on the other hand, generates energy on the spot, with no loss along the way.
• It can be used inside or outside of cities – More than 12 million households in rural America rely on propane for heat and power.
• It’s a good “crisis” fuel – Propane is easy to transport, safe to use, and stable – which makes it an incredibly reliable energy source after hurricanes, wildfires, or other disasters paralyze a community. It’s also the perfect fuel for the whole-house generators that will keep your appliances, safety systems, and other equipment working when the grid is down.
• It helps our most vulnerable citizens – According to a study released by the American Gas Association, policies that would force residents to convert their homes to electricity would increase average residential energy costs by as much as $910 per year, forcing lower income Americans to choose between heating their homes and critical necessities like food and medicine.

When it comes to providing high-efficiency energy from a small carbon footprint, few fuels can top propane. Contact us today to learn more about clean, green propane and propane deliveries in central and southeast Pennsylvania for your home or business.

Please note: At Koppys, your safety and comfort are always our priority. Please see our COVID-19 Service Update Page to learn more about how we are working to keep our your family and our crews safe and your heating oil and propane deliveries coming when you need them most.