Which fuel is more efficient—propane or electricity? If you said propane, then take a bow. By far, propane is the more energy efficient fuel. This is because propane generates much more Btu’s than an equivalent amount of electricity. Put another way, you need much less propane to produce the same amount of heat energy. For example, just one gallon of propane equals 27 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity.
Clean-burning propane appliances are also efficient because they waste very little fuel in the combustion process. Propane is more efficient than electricity when evaluating the total energy consumed (this includes the energy consumed in the extraction, production, processing and transportation of the fuel to the point of use). Based on this analysis, propane is 87% efficient; electricity is 32% efficient.
If you rely on a high-efficiency propane furnace to keep warm, less than 10% of fuel is wasted in the combustion process. In comparison, more than two-thirds of the energy used by a power plant to generate and transmit electricity is wasted. Most high-efficiency propane furnaces feature two-stage gas burners and variable-speed motors to deliver all the warm air you need, no matter how cold it gets.
Currently, you’re eligible to receive a rebate of $350 when you install a new propane furnace or propane direct-vent heater in your home.
Arizonians from Tucson to Scottsdale to Sedona and many other towns and cities are removing their old electric appliances and other worn-out equipment and replacing them with modern, energy-efficient propane equipment. Here are a few reasons why:
Want to know more about the cost and efficiency of propane versus electricity? Interested in converting your old electric appliances to propane? Contact your propane company today! They can either install a new propane appliance or connect you with someone who does.