Propane vs. Electricity: The Big Picture

Propane vs. Electricity north carolina

Ask most Americans what source of energy will be most helpful as we begin to tackle the challenges of climate change and they will probably say “electricity.”

But the truth is that more than one third of the electricity generated in North Carolina is produced by burning natural gas, which is 95 percent methane – a greenhouse gas with 84 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. An additional seven percent is generated by burning coal, another substantial greenhouse gas contributor.

That doesn’t sound very environmentally friendly to us.

Propane gas, on the other hand, produces very little carbon dioxide and no methane when it’s burned. In fact, if you chose propane rather over electricity for your space heating, cooking, clothes drying, and water heating, you could cut your home’s carbon footprint in half.

Propane is more than environmental benefits

But carbon reduction is only one advantage that propane holds over electricity when it comes to powering our North Carolina homes and appliances. Consider these propane benefits:

It produces energy efficiently – According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, nearly two-thirds of electricity generated at most power plants is lost between the plant and the consumer. Propane gas, on the other hand, generates energy on the spot, with no loss along the way.
It’s a great fuel for rural communities – Easy to store and transport, propane is used for heat and power in more than 12 million rural American households today.
It’s the perfect “crisis” fuel – Propane is safe to use and stable – which makes it a reliable energy source after hurricanes, wildfires, or other disasters paralyze a community. It’s also the perfect fuel for the whole-house generators that will keep your appliances, safety systems, and other equipment working when the grid is down.

When it comes to providing high efficiency energy from a small carbon footprint, few fuels can top propane. Contact us today to learn more about reliable propane deliveries in western North Carolina for your home or business!