Thursday, October 30, 2014

Propane: A Viable Alternative For Home Use

By Cath Buhr


Many Americans are conserving their fuel use not only to reduce costs but also to reduce environmental impact. However, for the majority of Americans, their sources of fuel often are contributing to pollution and climate change. There are alternatives to consider that not only make less of an impact, they also can lower your energy bills, and propane is one of the most accessible alternative fuels available today.

Coal has long been the dominant source of energy in the United States, although it is less frequently used than in years past. Still, more than 40% of our energy is created by burning coal and this means that millions of tons of carbon dioxide are released into the environment each year. This may contribute to global warming, as well as polluting water and soil and harming our bodies. The burning of coal creates ash that contains many heavy metals, which can cause a variety of respiratory problems as well as heart problems, gastrointestinal diseases, kidney diseases and even cancer.

Natural gas is another common source of fuel, and while it certainly produces less carbon dioxide than coal, it produces copious amounts of methane. This methane gas actually captures and holds heat much more effectively than carbon dioxide, which means if you have a substantial leak of natural gas, it can be even worse for the environment than carbon dioxide in terms of global warming. If safety procedures are in place and working well, natural gas can be a better source of fuel than other greenhouse gases, but the dangers of methane always should be considered.

Nuclear power does not emit greenhouse gases, so that is certainly an advantage it has over coal and natural gas. On the other hand, it does create extremely dangerous nuclear waste which must be carefully stored for thousands of years. Once built, a nuclear power plant can provide more power at a lower cost than virtually any other source of energy. However, the costs of building and starting up a nuclear power plant are quite expensive and nuclear waste storage is expensive. There's always a danger of meltdown, as well, although it should be noted that coal and natural gas also can be quite dangerous.

For a source of power with little environmental impact or danger, solar and wind power may fit the bill. These two energy sources are completely renewable and produce absolutely no greenhouse gases. However, harnessing this energy has yet to become particularly easy or efficient, and it will probably be several years before these energy options are readily available to most Americans.

If you need a greener, cost-effective source of energy now, it might be wise to consider propane. This is a greener fuel than either natural gas or coal, and the prices can be quite affordable, especially during the warmer months of the year. If you need to start Ohio propane delivery, Pennsylvania propane delivery, Maryland propane delivery or propane services in another state, contact Thrifty Propane. They offer pre-buy specials for their clients, allowing them to purchase large amounts of propane when prices are at their lowest.




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