Propane or Electricity?
When it comes to efficiency, should you choose propane or electric?
It’s simple: Propane
A given quantity of propane produces more BTUs than the same amount of electricity. As a result, less propane is required to match the heat energy in your home or place of business. Clean-burning propane appliances waste very little fuel in the combustion process, unlike electric-powered appliances, which are less efficient. This also makes propane less of a threat to the environment.
Propane water heaters vs. furnaces: A comparison
With a water heater, you’ll…
- Spend less money. An electric water heater can cost up to 30% more to operate than a propane water heater, and up to 40% more if you’re using a tankless propane water heater.
- Emit fewer carbon emissions. Propane tankless water heaters generate far fewer carbon emissions than electric water heaters with a storage tank—about 50%!
- Enjoy more hot water. In a given period of time, propane water heaters can generate double the hot water of electric units!
With a furnace, you’ll… - Keep warm. When the temperature drops, a high-efficiency propane furnace with a two-stage gas burner and variable speed motors will keep you warmer and cozier than electric heat.
- Stay efficient. A high-efficiency, clean-burning propane furnace wastes less than 10% of its fuel during combustion. Meanwhile, generating and transmitting energy is far less efficient. In fact, more than two-thirds of the energy a power plant uses for the transmission and production of electricity is ultimately wasted.
Considering starting or expanding your use of propane at home? Please contact your local propane company to learn about how propane can benefit you.