Photo courtesy of Propane Education & Research Council

Clean, domestic energy is a reality for residential projects choosing propane.

Imagine a product that increases access to clean, affordable, reliable energy for any home. Or a product that reduces carbon emissions while dependably meeting energy needs.

The compelling force behind many traditional sustainability and energy programs has been reducing the operational energy consumption of buildings. However, as buildings grow more energy efficient, the embodied environmental impacts stemming from production, construction, maintenance, and disposal of building materials or products represent an increasing share of a building’s total environmental burden.

Fortunately, having a product that provides accessible energy in a responsible manner is a reality that does not have to wait on the progress of science or technological innovation. It exists today, in the form of propane.

Propane is a low-carbon energy source that produces fewer harmful emissions than competing fuels. According to the US Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), 52% fewer greenhouse gas emissions are released when using propane, as compared to an equivalent amount of electricity generated from the U.S. grid.¹ In analyzing residential heating needs, 50% fewer greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are produced from residential propane furnaces than from all-electric models.² Propane combustion is also cleaner than heating oil, resulting in lower CO₂ emissions, 12 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and 80 percent fewer NOx emissions, when compared with a heating oil furnace.

Propane is extremely energy efficient, especially when compared to other energy sources. Liquid propane has a higher energy density than ethanol, methanol, and liquefied natural gas, meaning propane vehicles go farther on a tank of fuel than most other liquid alternative fuels, assuming comparable equipment efficiency. This energy density benefits home appliances powered by propane. A standard propane water heater with a tank performs more efficiently than a standard electric water heater with a tank. An ENERGY STAR storage tank propane water heater can save a household 13-16% on heating costs over a year, as compared to an efficient electric model. In a 2,400-square-foot home, an electric water heater would cost the homeowner about $645 a year, whereas a propane heater would cost only $290 a year. That adds up to annual savings of about $355 a year.

Propane has an exceptional environmental profile. Still, no energy source can be considered completely “clean.” Even energy sources labeled as renewable, like solar, wind, and hydroelectric, have environmental challenges. However, when carbon emission levels are used as a benchmark, propane remains one of the cleanest fuels available. In comparison to other widely used fuels, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that propane offers one of the lowest carbon emissions per million BTUs.³ Put into perspective, over its lifespan a storage tank propane water heater produces 46% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. A propane tankless water heater sends about 70% fewer emissions into the atmosphere. A tankless water heater, powered by propane, can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance and operation. In comparison, a standard tank water heater normally has a working life of 10 years or less. Besides efficiency, propane tends to be a more affordable energy option. While fuel costs fluctuate, propane is generally cheaper per BTU compared to oil, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Data courtesy of Propane Education & Research Council

Comparison of annual costs for an average single-family home using propane water heating, displayed in orange, versus electric water heating, displayed in blue.

In addition to environmental performance, propane proffers excellent environmental benefits once on site. Propane is stored as a liquid, but when released into the air, it vaporizes and dissipates–which means it won’t contaminate groundwater, drinking water, marine ecosystems, or other sensitive habitats. When vaporized, propane produces virtually no ozone-harming effects and, unlike natural gas, it is not a greenhouse gas in its un-combusted state. Because of these advantages, propane is a preferred fuel source in environmentally sensitive areas like nature preserves and national parks.

Using propane as a fuel or energy source means harnessing an available clean technology to reduce emissions while still meeting energy needs. Propane is clean and non-toxic. Propane is abundantly available, and the growth of renewable propane technology means it can be used sustainably for generations to come.

REALIZING PROPANE’S ADVANTAGES TODAY

Propane is a high-performing, safe, and cost-effective energy source. Propane has lower carbon emissions than natural gas, fuel oil, diesel, and even electricity. In fact, 60% of the U.S. electric grid is still powered by natural gas or coal, which has high carbon emissions. Propane is a domestic resource and in high supply, so pricing is consistent and competitive with other energy sources.

Currently, 12 million U.S. households use propane for space heating, water heating, or cooking. Since propane-powered appliances are energy-efficient, homeowners save on energy costs and minimize their consumption. Many states and municipalities offer incentives for using clean alternative fuels, including propane. For the homeowner, propane is an exceptionally stable fuel source. Power from propane is often cheaper than electric power and offers better price stability, which translates into predictable energy bills.

When specifying equipment for a new home, or a home under renovation, the design professional is committing to a decision that will have energy and performance implications for 20 years or more. Selecting appliances and equipment that use propane as a fuel source provides confidence that today’s decision can reduce emissions immediately, with the prospect of enhanced reduction and costs in the future.

Addressing the Limitations of Electricity

All things electric, from vehicles to appliances, are currently in the spotlight. As oil prices peak, another electric power is spurring additional consumer interest in the Northeast: using electric heating to supplant fuel oil. Design teams, builders, and contractors are increasingly navigating energy source discussions with their clients.

Data courtesy Propane Education & Research Council

Comparison of usable energy, as measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs), in propane versus electricity.

It is important to understand that switching to electricity does not automatically mean de-carbonization. Electricity must be generated by a primary energy source and in the US, natural gas and coal are electricity’s largest primary energy sources. Because electricity is a secondary energy source, generated using a primary energy source, labeling electricity as the most environmentally friendly energy available is far from accurate. Furthermore, once generated, electricity must be transmitted through power lines, where electrons encounter resistance and lose energy. This means that getting one unit of electricity to wherever the plug is located can consume up to three units of source energy.

Propane offers a much different equation for the homeowner. According to the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) ENERGY STAR program, propane has a source-site ratio of 1.01. It is delivered on site, rather than transmitted or piped, so virtually no energy is lost in the transfer. Plus, propane’s storage flexibility means sensitive habitats can remain undisturbed, eliminating the need for pipelines or high-voltage power line installations.

Propane installations are governed by NFPA 54. NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1, National Fuel Gas Code, offers the latest comprehensive provisions for the safe design, installation, operation, maintenance, purging, and inspection of gas piping, equipment, accessories, and appliances supplied with fuel gas. The code covers piping system design, materials, and components, pipe sizing and installing pipes underground, above ground, and inside concealed spaces, and piping inspection, testing, system leak check, and purging. NFPA also addresses requirements for process air and installation of appliances and minimum safe performance criteria, general requirements, and specifications for venting combustion products. NFPA provides the industry benchmark for safe storage, handling, transportation, and use. Adhering to the provisions mitigates risks and ensures safe installations that prevent failures, leaks, and tampering.

Figure courtesy of Propane Education & Research Council

Propane brings exceptional clean energy benefits to the table, including distinct reductions in harmful emissions.

Efficiency standards are part of IECC and subject to the version a jurisdiction has adopted. The measured efficiency of propane-powered appliances adds further support for propane’s sustainability. Compared with an electric system, a tankless propane water heater can save up to 50% on energy costs, which translates to significantly lower environmental impact. Propane tankless water heaters are 34% more efficient than conventional storage water heaters. Propane fireplaces produce fewer particulate emissions, and less carbon monoxide compared with wood-burning fireplaces and are more environmentally friendly than electric fireplaces. Both high-efficiency propane furnaces and propane tankless water heaters can be key components in earning the LEED for Homes (LEED H v4) and the 2015 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) certifications for a home. High-efficiency propane furnaces and water heaters can reduce a home’s HERS Index by anywhere from 9 to 14 points.