Article in Tennessean
Energy's costs to consumers and the environment is a topic of national debate. "How do we provide the lowest-cost energy to consumers while still protecting the environment?" is a question that many in Congress ask.
Consumers, on the other hand, notice the price of energy in the form of their monthly bills and gas prices. What consumers and many in Congress don't know is that propane gas is an efficient, cost-effective and clean energy source that outperforms electricity on a variety of levels.
A major misconception is that propane is more expensive than electricity. Propane products like water heaters and furnaces are actually more efficient. They heat up faster and provide greater comfort than electric appliances. Prices for all energy sources fluctuate yearly, and in some cases electricity may be slightly less expensive than propane. However, with efficient propane appliances, consumers will continue to see savings during fluctuations of prices. Propane water heaters can be given an Energy Star rating — the government's measurement for energy-efficient appliances — electric water heaters cannot.
Additionally, current cost comparisons in Tennessee show that having a propane water heater instead of an electric water heater saves more than $200 over a three-year period including installation. That savings dramatically increases when high-efficiency propane water heaters or tankless propane water heaters are installed.
Electricity's heavy footprint
A study commissioned by the Tennessee Propane Gas Association and performed by ESP Insights showed that a disproportionate amount of consumers believe that electricity is less harmful to the environment than propane. The fact of the matter is that isn't the case.
Tennesseans know that fossil-fuel-eating systems such as propane or natural gas release greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as CO2 as a result of the combustion of the fuel, but they don't realize that electricity is actually more harmful to the environment. In Tennessee, electricity is produced from power plants that rely on fossil fuels to create thermal energy, which is converted into electrical energy. The power plants consume roughly three units of energy to produce one unit of electricity, so the resulting output emissions are significantly higher than those produced by propane.
Another seemingly unknown fact is that propane provides greater comfort than electricity. Propane furnaces put out air that is actually 25 degrees warmer than the output of electric furnaces. This makes the heat feel warm to the skin and eliminates drafts and cold spots. Propane water heaters are more efficient and heat up faster, providing hot water longer.
How many of us have experienced the inconvenience of power outages during storms? Whether for a few hours or a number of days, it can be frustrating and sometimes even downright scary. Propane gas is a reliable energy source that won't go out during storms.
While electricity may power the lights and electronics in your home, propane serves as a safe, clean and reliable energy source for other basic home appliances ranging from cooktops and ovens to furnaces, clothes dryers and water heaters. Homeowners should consider the efficient and clean fuel that propane provides when deciding to install new appliances or building a new home.
