Want to know some of the reasons that the team at Roach Energy is proud to deliver propane to homes in Shepherdstown and across the Eastern Panhandle?
Propane is a predominately U.S.-made energy source. (In fact, our country has been a net exporter of propane for a long time.)
Propane generates a lot of heat energy. One gallon of this fuel generates the same amount of heat as about 27 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Propane generates over twice as many Btu per cubic foot as natural gas.
Propane equipment typically has exceptional efficiency. Today’s propane heating systems have fuel efficiency ratings as high as 98.5%, and propane water heaters can produce hot water twice as efficiently as electric models.
But what about propane’s effect on the environment? In this article, we’ll discuss how propane is surprisingly green — and getting greener every day.
To understand whether propane qualifies as a renewable energy source, it’s important to first look at how it’s produced. Currently, the vast majority of propane in the U.S. is a byproduct of natural gas extraction. A smaller portion comes from the process of refining oil. This is referred to as conventional propane — as opposed to renewable propane, which we’ll explore shortly.
Producing conventional propane doesn’t require additional drilling. It’s sourced from the same wells that extract natural gas and crude oil for consumer use.
Propane is not classified as a greenhouse gas. In fact, it’s recognized as an alternative fuel under the 1990 Clean Air Act and the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Why?
The answer lies in propane’s carbon intensity (CI), a measure of how much carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted when producing a given amount of energy. Propane has a lower CI score compared to diesel and even West Virginia’s grid electricity (which is still heavily reliant on coal for generation). It’s an energy-efficient option for powering home systems and appliances. For perspective, it takes 3.03 units of electricity to deliver one unit of energy to a U.S. home. With propane, you get one unit of energy for every 1.01 units of propane used.
Additionally, propane is methane-free. Methane is a significantly more potent greenhouse gas than CO2, trapping much more heat in the atmosphere over a 20-year period. (It’s also the main component of natural gas.)
Propane also emits almost no particulate matter, which is classified as a carcinogen. It’s non-toxic, too. Even in the rare case of a propane tank leak, it won’t harm soil, groundwater, aquatic life, marine life or plant life.
The takeaway? Conventional propane is already a greener energy choice — and it’s becoming even more eco-friendly with the rise of renewable propane.
Renewable propane is chemically identical to conventional propane, meaning it can be used in existing equipment without modification. However, it’s made from recycled and organic materials. These include used cooking grease, animal fats, municipal waste, forest waste and plant oils.
Renewable propane generally has a carbon intensity score that’s about 25% of conventional propane’s CI and less than 10% of West Virginia’s grid electricity CI. Ongoing research is expected to lower its carbon impact even further.
While renewable propane currently accounts for a small fraction of overall propane use in the U.S., its production capacity is steadily increasing. In the coming years, renewable propane is positioned to play a key role in decarbonization efforts.
Roach Energy is the most trusted propane delivery partner in the Eastern Panhandle. Contact us today to join our family of customers.
