Propane gas is mainly used to cook, heating homes and water, and powering industrial equipment.
It is generated by the processing of natural gas and oil refinement. Propane is reliable, affordable, and abundant, making it a very popular choice for energy.
Like with other types of gas, you probably wonder how safe propane is for the environment and if we should be worried about using it so often.
What kind of impact does it have on the environment around us and is it a better alternative than natural gas?
While propane does have some emissions, it lets off very little compared to other types of gases.
It doesn’t produce any kind of methane, nitrogen oxides, or sulfur dioxide. Propane won’t cause any damage to water or soil and has the ability to produce 60% less carbon monoxide than gasoline.
Is Propane Gas Environmentally Friendly?
Propane is considered to be a green fuel and environmentally friendly. It is also known to be one of the cleanest fossil fuels that you can burn.
For example, if cars ran on propane instead of gasoline, there would be a huge carbon monoxide decrease in the environment. Propane is also not toxic, meaning it won’t harm soil or water if there is a spill.
Since it is non-toxic, propane is what is considered a clean-burning greenhouse gas.
This means that there will be a significantly lower level of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide released into the environment.
Is Propane Gas Better than Natural Gas?
There are several things to consider when determining if propane is better than natural gas. First, we will look at the cost of each.
Natural gas is cheaper than propane, but you shouldn’t base the decision between the two solely on price. Efficiency also plays a huge part. The more efficient the gas, the less of it you will use.
Propane is the more efficient fuel out of the two, so even though it is more expensive, it will last longer.
In fact, propane is more than twice as efficient as natural gas, meaning you will be able to get much more use out of one gallon of propane than natural gas.
What Impact Does Propane Have on the Environment?
Although propane is considered to be a clean-burning fuel, there are still some emissions as it is burned.
However, these emissions are significantly lower than what we see from natural gas.
In fact, switching to propane can reduce emissions released into the environment by about 10%.
There are several reports that state propane has the potential to help our environment at the current state it is in.
Propane has also been proven to be cleaner than electricity. Even though electricity seems like the future, it is not as safe as we expect.
Think about electric cars for a minute. They are cleaner to run in the environment, but the environmental impact of creating the electric batteries is astronomical.
Advantages of Propane Gas
There are so many advantages to using propane gas. Some of these include the availability of the gas, convenience, and that it is safe.
Readily Available
Propane is generated from natural materials like petroleum and natural gas.
About 90% of the propane that we use in the United States is produced right here in the country.
It can turn liquid when put under pressure to easily be transported and used in several different areas.
By increasing the use of propane, there is the potential of decreasing a massive amount of gasoline.
Convenience
Propane is stored conveniently in environmentally friendly tanks.
These tanks require very little maintenance and can last you for about 40 years.
Since propane transports in liquid form, it is ideal for camping and grilling. You can buy propane in several places, so it is a huge convenience.
Safety
Propane is also considered to be extremely safe.
As long as you follow the proper steps to accurately use the propane, there is no risk to your health or environment.
This is because there are so many regulations put in place by the propane industry to ensure safety of use.
Disadvantages of Propane Gas
Like any other type of gas, there will be some disadvantages that need to be kept in mind.
Initial Cost
If you are switching your home to use propane for heat, the upfront costs can be pretty high.
This is because you will need to replace your appliances if they aren’t already powered by gas.
While the switch will be beneficial in the long run, it can be very costly to make the switch.
Refilling Your Tank
Refilling your propane tank is your own responsibility, not that of the company that supplies your propane.
You will need to always check the levels and schedule refills as necessary. This can be slightly difficult and annoying if your propane is used frequently.
Dangerous to Touch
Liquid propane can be damaging to your skin. It is said that you will experience symptoms that are similar to frostbite.
It isn’t likely for this to happen, but it is best to always be careful around a propane tank.
Summary
It is easy to see why there is a question on propane and how it impacts the environment.
Since it is a gas, there is always the chance of emissions being released into the air.
Luckily, propane gas is one of the cleanest burning gases that we have access to today.
Propane is considered to be environmentally friendly because it doesn’t pose any real danger to the environment.
It is abundant and readily available, making it a great option for heating your home and water tank, as well as grilling and cooking.
The biggest downfall of switching to propane gas in your home is that you will likely have to buy all new appliances.
Gas appliances run differently than electric appliances, and it really does make a difference.
This can be pricey and make you rethink your decision, but it will be beneficial to you in the long run.
