Propane Vs. Electricity

Understanding Propane Benefits Over Electricity

Do the electric appliances in your home outnumber your propane gas appliances? You may be shocked to find out how much money you could start saving if you “plugged into” propane instead.

Simply put, in many cases, operating propane appliances can be more cost-effective than comparable electric appliances.

Start with a propane water heater, which can produce about twice as much hot water as an electric unit—in the same amount of time. If you’re tired of your electric water heater leaving you shivering in a cold shower, contact your propane company about converting to a propane water heater. It’s a lot easier than you may think!

But don’t stop with a water heater!

People are warming up to propane—and saving money—in many other ways, too.

• Propane ovens and ranges cost significantly less to operate than their electric counterparts. In terms of performance, gas stoves respond almost instantly to changes in temperature settings. This gives you more precise control in your cooking, something that can be important when you’re creating certain meals. Electric stoves take longer to respond, particularly when you’re adjusting the temperature down or turning the heat off. Here’s another advantage: A gas stove will continue to work during a power outage.
• Propane clothes dryers get laundry dry 25% faster than typical electric models.
• Portable propane heaters for cold spaces are a great option, because they’re much less expensive to operate than portable electric heaters. Vented propane gas space heaters are easy to install, incredibly efficient and extremely safe.

Propane is better for the environment than electricity

• Propane is one of the cleanest carbon-based fuels.
• The average propane-powered home reduces carbon-dioxide emissions by nearly 30% compared to all-electric homes.
• Direct use of propane for heating water, space heating, cooking, and drying clothes reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 50%.
• Because propane is nontoxic, it doesn’t pose a threat to soil and water above or below the ground.

Propane is more efficient than electricity

• Propane appliances typically reduce energy costs, delivering better value and comfort than other heating sources.
• With a clean-burning, high-efficiency propane furnace, less than 10% of fuel is wasted in the combustion process. In comparison, more than two-thirds of the energy used by a power plant to generate and transmit electricity is wasted.
• Want to know more about the costs of propane versus electricity? Interested in converting your old electric appliances to propane? Contact your propane company today!

Sources: National Propane Gas Association; Propane Education Research Council.