Written on: April 25, 2022
We all want to make the most responsible choice for the planet when deciding on the best energy solution for our homes and appliances.
Quite a few advocates and public officials push the narrative that the only eco-friendly home energy solution is electrifying everything. Homeowners in northern and central Michigan might feel pressured to undertake expensive conversions to electric heat pumps, water heaters, and other appliances.
But the facts don’t support this. While electricity and propane are both adaptable power sources for a range of home comfort appliances, propane is almost always more effective, efficient and sustainable.
It is true that electric heat and appliances don’t emit greenhouse gases from your home, but that doesn’t mean electricity is carbon neutral. 63 percent of electricity comes from burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. These generate vast amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.
You might have heard that the electric grid is transitioning to greener sources like wind and solar. That’s correct, but the timeline for this is long. Presently, fully electrified homes rely on an overburdened, fossil-fuel-dependent grid.
Let’s compare this to propane, which the U.S. Department of Energy’s 1992 National Energy Policy listed as an alternative fuel like biodiesel and hydrogen power.
Propane can reach over 90% efficiency, so when your furnace, boiler, or other major appliance burns it, almost no heat energy escapes into the atmosphere. And the emissions that do escape are much cleaner. Using propane for HVAC, water heating, cooking and drying clothes reduces your home’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%!
Propane contains virtually no particulate matter, a known carcinogen. It’s also non-toxic and won’t harm your water or soil in the event of a leak.
Propane is not only great for the planet — it’s also far more cost-effective than electric appliances.
Propane gas furnaces heat air to about 130°F to 140°F, so they can cycle in short intervals and minimize operating costs compared to electric heat pumps. Additionally, propane-fueled furnaces last 5 to 10 years longer than an electric heat pump and generally require less maintenance.
By the same token, propane-fired water heaters operate about 30 percent more efficiently than electric water heaters. That efficiency increases 50 percent for tankless propane water heaters. Propane gas cooking ranges and clothes dryers work more efficiently than their electric counterparts, reducing your home’s carbon footprint and energy budget.
We have a fantastic deal if you’re in the market for longer, warmer showers. The Michigan Propane Commission can save you money on a new, energy-efficient propane-fired water heater purchased between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022. With this rebate, you can receive:
Act now! This rebate is subject to availability.
Since 1930, Coyne Oil & Propane has helped homes stay warm and safe. Contact us today to join our family of customers.