Is Propane Environmentally Friendly?

Propane is safe for heating, indoor appliances, and outdoor living.

When it comes to heating our homes, warming our water, cooking our food and drying our clothes, we want to ensure the energy we use isn’t negatively impacting our planet or the air quality in our homes. At Tasha Fuels & Propane, we proudly provide propane delivery and home comfort services to homes on the Upper Cape and throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.

The propane we deliver is eco-friendly, efficient and safe for your home.

Is propane a greenhouse gas?

Propane is not a greenhouse gas. In fact, it was designated as an alternative fuel in the 1990 Clean Air Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Propane’s carbon intensity is lower than that of fuel oil, gasoline, and grid electricity. (More on that later.)

It also emits virtually no particulate matter, or microscopic solids or liquid droplets people can inhale and exacerbate illness. Moreover, propane contains no methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is the primary component of natural gas.

Are electric appliances more eco-friendly than propane?

Electric heating, hot water systems, stoves and clothes dryers are only as eco-friendly as the electricity powering them. Unfortunately, Massachusetts has one of the least environmentally friendly grids in the region. Its carbon intensity score is well above the national average and nearly twice as high as propane’s. The grid relies heavily on natural gas for generation.

Electric equipment is often less efficient than propane counterparts. Today’s propane furnaces have efficiency rates as high as 98.5%, and propane water heaters have recovery rates twice as fast as electric water heaters.

Is propane safe for home cooking?

You might have heard some discussion lately about the safety and environmental impact of “gas stoves.” There was even chatter in the wake of some air quality and health studies about whether cooking with gas should be banned. Firstly, there is no movement right now to confiscate gas stoves. Moreover, much of the controversy regarding stoves doesn’t pertain to propane. Consider these facts:

1. Methane leaks are cited as a major concern for gas, but as we mentioned earlier, there is no methane in propane. This issue pertains to natural gas stoves.
2. Particulate matter emissions exist with all cooking, whether it involves gas or electricity. Ventilation is crucial in all cooking to limit the accumulation of particulate matter.
3. Research on gas cooking and health issues is not settled. For example, an abstract in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine found “no evidence of an association between the use of gas as a cooking fuel and either asthma symptoms or asthma diagnosis.”

Whatever kind of stove you have, the most important way to preserve good air quality in your kitchen is to invest in a quality ventilation hood and fan or open windows to ensure proper airflow.

Tasha’s team is here for your propane questions.

If you’re at all concerned that you could be using propane equipment more efficiently or safely, do not hesitate to reach out to the Tasha team. Our trained, experienced technicians can look at your propane products and provide advice and maintenance. We can also help you upgrade your heating and hot water systems.

Our team members are always here to help. Please contact us any time.