PROPANE or NATURAL GAS: Which is best for your new home?

When dreaming about spending summer evenings around the fire pit on the patio or snuggling in front of the fireplace in your new home, should you plan on using PROPANE or NATURAL GAS?

First off, did you know you had a choice? Well, for the most part you do! We’ll explain further …

To help you make an informed decision for your family and future home, we’re breaking down the PROS and CONS of PROPANE and NATURAL GAS.

  • Both can be stored as a liquid
  • Both produce carbon monoxide
  • Both are domestically-produced fossil fuels
  • Both are considered cheaper than electricity
  • Both are considered low emission fuels

But, the more important question is: what are the differences?

PROPANE

Pros:

  • MORE CONVENIENT: Widely distributed, so it’s most always available.
    *Ensure there is ease of access to small tanks & availability in your area.
  • MORE EFFICIENT: Since propane produces more than twice the energy of natural gas in any given time, it’s much more efficient.
  • MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY:Propane is considered to be better for the environment as it does not contain any greenhouse gas, is low carbon, and emits virtually no air pollutants (https://propane.ca/environmental-benefits/).

Cons:

  • MORE COMPLICATED TO INSTALL AND MAINTAIN
    • Some applications require propane to be delivered and injected by the distributor.
    • The level of propane in the home must be monitored to ensure that the tank isn’t close to empty.
    • Conversion to a natural gas source could be inconvenient, as it requires removal of existing propane tank and digging a trench to make way for the gas pipeline to reach your home.
  • MORE COSTLY
    • Up-front costs for any propane injected into a tank, regardless of whether the propane is used.
    • Conversion to natural gas is very costly, if you ever decide to switch gas sources.
    • Appliances set up for use with natural gas cannot be used with propane. Purchase of a conversion kit or new appliances suitable for propane would be required.
  • MORE OF A SAFETY RISK
    • It’s important to note, neither propane or natural gas is completely “safe,” as both produce carbon monoxide.
    • Propane is heavier than air, so it does not dissolve into air as quickly or exit enclosed spaces as easily as natural gas.

NATURAL GAS

Pros:

  • MOST CONVENIENT IF:There is a natural gas pipeline to your home.
    *Some neighborhoods or municipalities don’t have pipeline access, which means natural gas isn’t an option.
  • CHEAPER: Homeowners only pay for the amount of natural gas they use in any given month. Natural gas rates tend to be low.
  • SLIGHTLY SAFER: Although both gases emit carbon monoxide, Natural gas is lighter than air so it will rise and exit enclosed spaces more easily.

Cons:

  • LESS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY:While natural gas dissolves into air quickly, it does contain high amounts of the greenhouse gas methane
  • LESS EFFICIENT:It takes more natural gas to generate the same energy output as propane.
  • NOT AN OPTION:If your neighborhood does not have pipeline access.

CONCLUSION

So, what’s the better source for your home?

Only you can decide! There are certainly advantages to both forms of gas, but hopefully we’ve given you enough information to make an informed choice as to which type of fuel is best for your home.

QUESTIONS OR INTERESTED IN MORE INFO?

Leave a comment below or contact us directly.

The post PROPANE or NATURAL GAS: Which is best for your new home? appeared first on McKee Homes Blog.


Keep up to date On Instagram

PREVIOUS
NEXT
McKee Homes very own Julie Russo at the Fayetteville HBA Inaugural for Professional Women in Construction!

McKee Homes is proud to have Women in Construction! We strive to support and empower these Women everyday and they truly make a difference to Team McKee.

McKee Homes thanks all women in construction for all of their hard work and making a difference to construction as a whole!
Join us next weekend on Saturday, March 16th for our St. Patricks Day Design Studio Event!

This event is happening at both our Wilmington and Raleigh Design Centers from 11am - 1pm

Take part in a Shamrock Scavenger Hunt and find your pot of gold in savings!!!

4208 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh NC
2164 Britton Rd. Suite 1 Leland, NC 

Can't wait to see you all there!
Join us this weekend!!! Saturday, February 10th at 11am!

Come out to our Raleigh and Wilmington Design Studios for our Valentines Event!

Explore and see what our design studio has to offer and design your dream home!

Enjoy Champagne and Sweets Bar!

Raleigh Design Studio: 
4208 Six Forks Road
Raleigh, NC 27605
(First Floor of Captrust Building)

Wilmington Design Studio:
2164 Britton Rd, Suite 1
Leland, NC 28451

See you there!
Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Last week Fayetteville HBA had a great Professional Women in Building event at Elliot Farms!

Thanks to everyone who came out to make it a great success!!!
#fayhba #faypwb
Some lovely Pics of our Furry residents at the Grand Opening of the Highridge Dog Park!

Check out our Quick Move-Ins! You and your furry friends can also enjoy this beautiful new dog park 

Highridge in Fuquay-Varina, NC!
Reach out to onlinesales@mckeehomesnc.com or 
(910) 672 -7491 and schedule a tour today!
Check out our Black Friday sale!

Only available November 25th-26th! Act now before it’s over!

Contact us for more information at onlinesales@mckeehomesnc.com or 910-672-7491!
Happy Veterans Day!

Thank you to all who have protected and served our country, we appreciate you!
Thanks to all those who came out to The Townes at Gateway Commons yesterday to tour our beautiful townhomes and enjoy Chicken Salad Chick with us!

Schedule a tour with us to view our "One of a Kind" Townhomes!
(910) 672-7491 or Onlinesales@mckeehomesnc.com
Happy Halloween from McKee Homes!

We hope everyone has a spooktacular and safe night trick or treating!