These days, consumers have more options than ever when it comes to powering their home and appliances. One decision many Americans are tackling is whether to use propane or electricity (mostly for heating purposes) in their home. WhiteFence has reviewed each option carefully and laid out all of the differences below.
Primary Source vs. Secondary Source
There are two different kinds of energy sources in the world: primary energy sources and secondary energy sources. Primary energy sources are raw resources you extract energy from directly, whereas secondary energy sources are generated from a primary source.
- Propane is an example of a primary energy source. It is extracted from the earth, treated and then burned for energy directly by the consumer.
- Electricity is an example of a secondary energy source. It was generated by burning a fuel such as coal or gas, or by harnessing a renewable energy source such as wind or solar.
Energy Content
As you may expect, propane and electricity are sold, delivered and used in very different ways.
- Propane is sold by physical volume (most usually gallons), and the energy it delivers is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). A BTU is equivalent to around 1,055 joules (another measure of energy), which is approximately the amount of energy you need to heat one pound (or 0.1198 gallons), from 39°F to 40°F.
- Electricity is sold not by physical volume (ever hear of a cup of electricity?), but by kilowatt-hours (kWh). A kilowatt-hour is equivalent to 3.6 million joules, which is kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power expended for one hour.
Comparing the two energy types, one gallon of propane has energy roughly equivalent to 27 kWh of electricity. Confused? Don't worry, we'll spell out what this means in the next section.
How Much Do They Cost?
Propane and electricity costs vary widely by both region and whether you are looking for service for residential or commercial. While historically propane was the cheapest option, prices have changed and these days it could go either way. Which one is the best value for you depends on the price of each in your area.
As we discovered in the last section, one gallon of propane is equivalent to 27 kWh of electricity. With that conversion, you can work out roughly (there are some small efficiency differences and variables based on your home and equipment) which form of energy is cheapest by comparing them directly like this:
- Work out the price of a gallon of propane in your area, either by using the rate you pay now or by calling providers in your area for a quote.
- Head to the electricity section of WhiteFence and enter your address to find the best deal on electricity available in your area. If there are no options shown, use the rate you are paying on your current electricity bill.
- Take that electricity rate and multiply it by 27. This gives you a dollar figure that will be equivalent energy-wise to a gallon of propane.
- If the number you calculated is higher than the cost of a gallon of propane in your area, use propane. If the number is less, use electricity.
You can also use a chart like this to make your decision.
Environmental Impact
While consumers used to only care about the price of their energy, these days many are also concerned with the environmental impact of their energy decisions. Unless you are using or considering electricity generated from a clean renewable source, both electricity and propane will contribute to air pollution, the only question is how much.
- Propane is a relatively clean-burning fuel, typically producing less pollution when compared to other fuel sources such as coal.
- As traditional, non-renewable electricity is a secondary source of energy, it was created by burning a primary source. The amount of pollution associated with your electricity is based on how it was generated. A majority of the time, it was generated by coal (or a mixture of fuels with coal being the primary source). Call your local utility to find out what energy sources they use to generate the electricity that is delivered to your home.
Of course, if environmental impact is your primary concern, the answer for you is to switch to a renewable energy electricity plan. Check the electricity section of WhiteFence to see if renewable energy is available in your area.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a detailed breakdown of propane vs. electricity and how to figure out which is best for you. Remember, WhiteFence is always here to help you decide which services are right for you home and to help find the best deals once you've made a decision. Check WhiteFence.com now to see what services and deals are available in your area.
