This makes it important to handle them with care and to understand the best practices for safety. Pipelines are made of either strong carbon steel materials or highly advanced plastics that don’t corrode easily. Hard plastic is lpg vs natural gas preferred for pipelines that require easy replacement and flexibility. Natural gas has unique advantages and may be the preferred choice in certain applications.

Proper ventilation and regular maintenance of gas appliances are essential to minimize any health risks. When it comes to both residential and industrial heating solutions, propane, or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is a popular choice for fuel. One common alternative is natural gas, which is often marketed as environmentally friendly and affordable. There is a simple way to measure whether LPG or natural gas is more sustainable and better for the environment. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says that natural gas has a global warming potential (GWP) of 28 – 36 over one hundred years.

1. Propane offers twice the BTUs of natural gas, meaning your household will often consume less fuel with this option and pay less in the long run.
2. While these additives are harmless, they produce a distinctive sulfur or “rotten egg” smell that can be detected even at very low concentrations.
3. Natural gas rates are measured in price per cubic foot, whereas propane rates are measured in price per gallon.
4. On the downside, fuel deliveries take time and can occasionally be disrupted by large snowstorms and other unforeseen emergencies.
5. Natural gas provides just over 1,000 BTUs per cubic foot (0.0283 cubic meters); the same volume of propane in gaseous form provides about 2,500 BTUs.

Its low carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions also appeal to many homeowners. Natural gas may contribute to environmental pollution when it leaks into soil, water and the atmosphere. These leaks are often a result of drilling accidents, pipeline leaks and abandoned gas wells.

Propane vs. Butane

One difference in the physical properties of propane and natural gas is how easily they liquefy and are transported. Once the pressure is released, as through a valve on a barbeque grill, the propane immediately becomes a gas as long as the temperature is above -44°F (-42°C). Though most often used with portables stoves or grills, propane also can be used as a fuel for heating elements.

Which Is Better, Propane or Natural gas?

Strict industry standards and federal regulations are in place to minimize leaks and ensure safe processing, storage, distribution and use of natural gas. The chemical compositions of propane and natural gas are very distinct. Propane consists of three carbon atoms bonded by eight hydrogen atoms. Hence, its chemical formula is C3H8, while natural gas is made up of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4). Propane accounts for up to 2% of the total energy consumption in the U.S.

1. Each fuel has its benefits in certain applications, so when it comes to LPG versus natural gas, it’s important to understand the difference to determine which one is right for you.
2. The energy content of LPG is 93.2 megajoules per cubic metre, while natural gas contains 38.7 megajoules per cubic metre.
3. Like propane, odorants are added to help with gas leak detection.
4. While propane is measured in gallons or liters, you’ll find natural gas measured in cubic feet or cubic meters.
5. This will give local utilities time to mark any underground lines or pipes in the area so your installer can avoid damaging them while digging.
6. When deciding which energy source you want to use in your home, you should consider energy efficiency, price, and convenience.

Get More Out of Your Fuel

Call us anytime for outstanding service from our courteous service technicians. On the downside, fuel deliveries take time and can occasionally be disrupted by large snowstorms and other unforeseen emergencies. Since natural gas comes to your home through pipes, it’s virtually always available when you need it.

In terms of the basic propane vs natural gas uses, there’s no real difference you’ll notice in your day-to-day life. As home fuels, both of these products allow you to heat your home, cook food, or use appliances in the same ways. Another, perhaps more useful comparison between the two fuels is not price per unit, but rather BTU. BTU is a measure of heating efficiency – in the case of propane vs. natural gas, propane has more than double the BTU rating (1030 to 2490).

Even if natural gas does turn out to be cheaper for your home, this investment can take years to recoup. Historically, when you convert between units and compare average rates, it may appear that natural gas is the cheaper option. However, the real cost for your home will depend on a number of factors, including where you live and the efficiency of your furnace and appliances. Hohenschild is another one of our partners that supplies gas equipment necessary when switching from natural gas to propane. Their selection of products includes flow meters, monitors and regulators needed for transmitting LPG. You can rely on our partners to reliably deliver propane for all your applications.

Natural gas and propane are both virtually colorless and odorless. To make leaks easier to detect, manufacturers mix additives like mercaptans, tetrahydrothiophene and other chemicals into their products. While these additives are harmless, they produce a distinctive sulfur or “rotten egg” smell that can be detected even at very low concentrations. With advancements in technology, smart home systems can now monitor propane levels and automatically schedule deliveries, ensuring you never run out of fuel.

Vehicles that run on either type require special tanks to hold the fuel; many cars are actually bi-fuel, which means they have additional tanks to hold gasoline. CNG must be kept at much higher pressure than propane, also called liquid petroleum gas (LPG), so the tanks are often larger and heavier, which can lower the vehicle’s mileage. Vehicles that run on CNG tend to be more expensive than those that use LPG, as are vehicle conversion kits, but the natural gas used as fuel costs less. This makes CNG a better choice for vehicles like buses or taxis that are on the road a lot.

So, if you like using it in your home, it’s probably smart to keep using propane. If using a clean burning fuel is more important to you, both share similar benefits, so this decision is more personal rather than one based on any data. If the natural gas price is $15.00 per 1,000 cubic feet, the same $15.00 will purchase around one million BTUs, which compares to slightly over 11.20 gallons of propane. If propane costs $2.50 per gallon, using this as an example, natural gas is the cheaper option. To compare both fuels more easily, propane is sold by the gallon but can be converted to the natural gas standard, cubic feet. Switching from one fuel source to another may require purchasing a new furnace, stove, grill and other appliances, or in some cases making expensive infrastructure upgrades.

Some companies have 2 models of the same design (one for LPG and one for natural gas). Propane is relatively safe, nontoxic and reliable for indoor and outdoor use. Contrary to popular belief, propane tank explosions are not common, provided you follow all safe handling and storage instructions.

Propane is usually more expensive than natural gas on a per-unit basis, but it’s also much more efficient. In fact, propane produces about twice as much heat energy as an equivalent amount of natural gas. While propane is measured in gallons or liters, you’ll find natural gas measured in cubic feet or cubic meters.