Written on: February 28, 2022
Across the United States, more than 14 million families use propane gas to heat their homes and power their appliances.
Propane is a versatile, effective fuel. It keeps Pennsylvania families warm and comfortable. It also powers cooking ranges, clothes dryers, water heaters and outdoor firepits (to name a few modern conveniences).
But is propane good for the environment? There is a lot of debate these days about how best to combat the harmful effects of climate change. It can be challenging to know whether you are making the best energy decisions for the earth and your family.
Fortunately, if you heat your home with propane gas, you’ve chosen a genuinely green energy source. Propane is an integral part of any balanced energy strategy.
Propane is 90% efficient. That means you lose a minimal amount of heat energy through your chimney into the atmosphere when you burn propane. And what does escape is much cleaner than with most other heating fuels.
Propane contains almost zero particulate matter, a known carcinogen. Also, it emits 50 percent less nitrogen oxide and 82 percent less sulfur oxide than other fuels.
For a homeowner, propane’s energy efficiency means their house has a smaller carbon footprint. It also means they spend less money on fuel. The average propane-fired furnace keeps a home 20°F warmer than an electric heat pump, and propane water heaters generally cost 30% to 60% less to operate than electric ones!
Propane-powered homes do not rely as heavily on the electric grid. This makes their energy both more consistent and greener.
While electricity might not produce emissions in a home, the way electricity is produced is far from green. Today, 63% of electricity comes from burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, which release massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.
With propane heat, you have control over your energy supply. Your home stays warm and safe even when there’s a blackout!
You can also feel confident in the safety of your home’s propane supply. Propane is entirely non-toxic. It does not spill, pool or leave a residue. So, if your fuel tank has a leak, there won’t be any harm to the soil or water.
Every day, scientists are getting closer to developing 100% renewable propane. This product is molecularly identical but made from animal oils, plant oils, biomass and other triglycerides. Renewable propane is carbon neutral, adding no new carbon to the atmosphere.
Koppy’s Propane is proud to deliver clean-burning, efficient propane to families throughout Central and Southeast Pennsylvania. If you want a reliable, professional home energy partner, become a customer today!