These fuels Have Different Properties—and Benefits—for Your Home

Gas appliances have long been popular with homeowners in North Carolina. From gas ranges to fire pits, gas logs, and high-efficiency water heaters, both natural gas AND propane can improve your quality of life!
But for homeowners choosing between gas and propane, the difference might be confusing. We regularly speak with people who believe that the two are basically the same. In fact, they’re quite different. Here’s a breakdown of the chemical and practical differences between them:

The Main Difference Between Propane and Natural Gas

You can think of propane as a natural gas, only liquid. Propane and natural gas are, in fact, both extracted from the same wells. Other co-products also include ethane, butane, isobutane, and pentane.
Natural gas is also called methane. It is lighter than air, so it floats. Conversely, propane is heavier and sinks to the floor. This is largely why natural gas travels through utility pipes directly into your appliances, whereas propane can be transported in tanks as a liquid.

Which Fuel Source is Better—Propane or Natural Gas?

There are pros and cons to both natural gas and propane. Here are some things to bear in mind:

• Conversion costs: It is pricier to set up your home for natural gas than to place a propane tank on your property. With that said, our team of expert technicians can handle natural gas piping and installations safely and promptly.
• Availability: Of course, you need access to a utility for natural gas. It’s also worth considering that a natural gas-powered home is at the mercy of utility infrastructure, which is often old and susceptible to problems. If there is a pipe rupture, your whole neighborhood could lose gas. With propane, you maintain your own supply of fuel in a storage tank.
• Versatility and efficiency: Both natural gas and propane power a host of high-performance systems and appliances. However, propane produces twice the Btu intensity of natural gas. That much more heat for your fuel dollar.
• Environmental responsibility: Propane and natural gas emit minimal carbon dioxide (CO2). However, natural gas is methane, which is a greenhouse gas that the Environmental Protection Agency found to be 25 times more potent than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

If you’re still unsure whether natural gas or propane is right for your home, feel free to contact LG Jordan to discuss it further. We’re always here as your local, reliable resource for all things home heating and home comfort.