The Pros And Cons Of Heating Your Home With Propane
Posted on: 25 February 2022
What's the best fuel source for heating your home in those cold winter months? When you live in a remote area, it's likely that you won't have access to a natural gas line, so your options might be limited to fuel sources like wood, propane, or oil. Propane is typically more efficient than oil furnaces and more reliable than wood so it's a popular choice. But is it right for you? Here are the pros and cons of propane.
PROS
Easy Access
One of the main benefits of choosing propane is that it's easily accessible. There are very few locations in the country so remote that they can't be serviced by a propane refuelling truck.
Efficient
Propane is one of the most efficient burning fuels, especially when compared to natural gas. It puts out much more energy than natural gas per unit as well as heat. In fact, the energy content of propane is twice that of natural gas, meaning you'll get twice the useable energy per cubic foot.
Clean Fuel
Propane is considered a clean fuel according to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, meaning that it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than fuels like oil or petroleum.
No Monthly Fees
When topping up your propane tank, you will pay a refuelling charge rather than paying for monthly usage. This can be helpful for people who prefer to save up rather than relying on a month-to-month billing situation. If you own your own tank, the only time you'll have to pay is when you refuel.
CONS
High Cost to Switch
If your home is currently heated through a separate fuel source like natural gas or an oil furnace, it can be costly to switch to propane, not only in appliance costs but labour costs for installation as well. However, when building new, it's easy to choose propane.
Potential Rental Fees
Many people rent large propane tanks rather than buying them because of the high up-front costs of the tank. However, this also means that the company renting the tank is responsible for tank maintenance, so it can be helpful to some.
High-Pressure Tanks
When stored in tanks, propane is in liquid form, and the tanks keep it stored under high pressure in order to function correctly. The high-pressure tanks can be dangerous if punctured so it's important to keep up on tank maintenance and to take care around the tank.
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