Natural gas is a little dirtier and less efficient than propane, but it can power an entire house, is more versatile, and is generally cheaper. However, when natural gas leaks, it can be very detrimental to the environment as it has a very high methane content. Unfortunately, methane is a lot more damaging than carbon dioxide.
LPG heating is often what’s referred to as a wet heating system. Hot water flows to taps, and radiators are heated by an LPG boiler which warms the water in the system. When it’s time to get more propane, you can either arrange a delivery or visit a retail location for additional fuel. This portability can seem like a disadvantage in some situations, but it has its benefits. If your home doesn’t yet have a natural gas pipeline, the cost of installing one can be high. Installation can cost thousands, and the process can be invasive.
Propane is a byproduct of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. It is stored and transported as a liquid under pressure but used as a gas. Natural gas, primarily methane, is lighter than air and delivered through pipelines as a gas.
Natural gas vs propane, what is the difference and which is less harmful?
However, propane is nontoxic and does not pose a threat to soil or water. Natural gas is also relatively clean but can release more pollutants when burned compared to propane. Proper ventilation and regular maintenance of gas appliances are essential to minimize any health risks. Propane stands out as an environmentally friendlier option compared to natural gas and various other fuels.
Since it can be delivered anywhere and stored easily, propane ensures you have energy for heating, cooking, and electricity generation, even in the most remote locations. Of course, there is much more to it, and today, I will walk you through the specifics. Let’s assume the cost for natural gas is $15.00 per 1,000 cubic feet. This means that $15.00 will purchase approximately 1.03 million BTU’s of energy. At $2.50 per gallon of propane, natural gas would be a more cost effective energy solution.
Propane
Propane is used to heat homes, power water heaters, outdoor heaters, fireplaces, grills, and certain types of industrial equipment and vehicles. Some public transportation runs on propane, and so do forklifts. LPG is cleaner-burning than petrol or diesel, producing less residue. This means that less damage is caused to the engine, which in turn prolongs the life of the machine. Natural gas is much more eco-friendly than coal and produces about 50% of the carbon dioxide as coal does.
If you go with natural gas, you’ll never have to worry about running out of fuel.
At the end, there is a quick table that breaks it all down in a digestible bite. After this, you will never be flummoxed by the subtle differences between propane and natural gas ever again. While natural gas and propane are both used as home and industrial fuels, they are not directly interchangeable. They require different air-to-fuel ratios for combustion and different lpg vs natural gas types of burners and regulators. Special conversion kits are required to switch a device from natural gas to propane use or vice versa.
- Three or four carbon atom hydrocarbons make up the majority of LPG.
- The boiling point of butane is much higher at -2˚c, making it best used for indoor settings.
- That means in the long term, propane provides greater savings.
Propane is more energy efficient and burns 2.5 times hotter than natural gas.
However, since it burns twice as quickly, that cuts the price difference in half. There are a lot of similarities and differences between natural gas and propane. When comparing fuels, it is essential to consider how much energy you can get using the same amount of fuel.