Propane Is a Green Fuel

Propane-powered homes enjoy efficiency, reliability, and affordability

green energy marylandDo you power your home’s heating systems, water heater, and cooking and laundry appliances with propane?

Many homeowners want to know that their fuel is not harming the environment. At Q-Dog, we are proud to offer propane delivery because it is a green, dependable and energy-efficient fuel. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear about how propane affects the fight against climate change.

Is propane a greenhouse gas?

Propane is not a greenhouse gas. Indeed, it’s considered an alternative fuel by the 1990 Clean Air Act and the 1992 National Energy Policy. Because propane burns with incredible efficiency (more on that later), almost no heat energy escapes from your home when you use it.

And the emissions propane does produce are far cleaner than other fuels:

  • Propane has the lowest carbon intensity of any home fuel besides natural gas.
  • Unlike natural gas, propane is methane-free.
  • Homes with propane furnaces emit up to 50 percent less nitrogen oxide than other fuels.
  • Homes with propane furnaces emit up to 82 percent less sulfur oxide than other fuels.
  • Propane emits virtually no particulate matter, a known carcinogen.

Simply put, propane is a truly green fuel. And it’s becoming even greener. Advances in renewable propane have produced a product that is chemically identical to conventional propane, but it’s made from organic and recycled feedstocks like animal oils, vegetable oils, biomass and other triglycerides. Renewable propane works in propane-fired equipment without modification. Its eco-friendly production process means it’s carbon-neutral at the point of combustion!

Does propane production require drilling?

Propane is a liquid co-product of oil and natural gas extraction. It comes from the exact same wells as those fuels and requires no additional drilling. This is great for the environment.

It’s worth noting, as well, that propane is a domestically-made fuel. In fact, the U.S. exports more propane than we use. So, propane-powered households are less dependent on global oil markets. While propane isn’t totally insulated from fluctuations in these markets, it’s less volatile, price-wise, than many other fuels.

How energy efficient is propane?

Propane is one of the most energy-efficient fuels available today. It is far more efficient for heating, hot water and other home uses than electricity. Consider these facts:

  • Propane burns hotter and more efficiently than many other energy sources. It has twice the Btu output of natural gas and far outpaces the heating capacity of electric heat pumps.
  • Today’s propane furnaces have over 90 percent efficiency in use.
  • Propane water heaters work quicker and more efficiently than their electric counterparts. Propane tankless water heaters produce nearly unlimited hot water on demand.
  • Propane clothes dryers dry laundry 25 percent faster than electrical products.

Taken together, you can count on propane’s high efficiency to lower your fuel usage and reduce your home’s carbon footprint. This makes it both eco-friendly and cost-effective.

You can count on propane to keep your home warm and safe, and you can count on Q-Dog to deliver that propane reliably and professionally! Contact us today to become a customer.