Which is the Best Fuel to Use at Home – Propane or Natural Gas?

Propane and natural gas are commonly used fuels for home heating as well as for powering basic household appliances. Different factors should play into your decision when faced with a choice between the two fossil fuels. Apart from home propane prices and supply availability, what are other factors you should consider when trying to figure out the best fuel to use at home? Read on to know more about both types of gas and the kind that will best suit your household’s needs:

Both natural gas and propane are domestically produced. The main difference between them is their physical state when stored, delivered, and used. Propane is typically compressed into liquid form (hence the term liquefied petroleum gas) and sold in portable cylinders or canisters or delivered straight to a permanent storage tank on a homeowner’s property. Natural gas on the other hand, retains its gaseous state, directly delivered to homes through a pipeline.

Perhaps one of the biggest determining factor on the best fuel to use in your own home is cost. Both natural gas and home propane prices are prone to market fluctuation, although propane generally has more predictable price movements. While natural gas may appear a cheaper option, looking at average rates, the real cost depends on different factors, like the location of our home as well as the efficiency of your appliances and home heating system.

Propane is a more popular fuel in typical households because of its versatility. Delivered direct through a pre-built propane gas system or in portable canisters, propane finds many use inside and outside the home, such as powering basic appliances like stoves and clothes dryers, as well as backyard grills and other such LPG-fueled appliances. Propane also allows off-the-grid independence should regular utilities fail, keeping your household running even during an outage.