PPropane or Natural Gas : Which is Cheaper...??

[kevin47]

I'm planning a move to the "country" And of course there are no "natural gas" lines way out there...And it just dawned on me, is it going to be more expensive to heat the house, use the stove and what ever else I'll need propane for...? Thanks, Kevin

 

[Randy in Maine]

If no natural gas is around, go propane.

 

[rburke65]

Well how much is propane per BTU vs. Natural Gas per BTU in your area?

 

[CNGsaves]

Call a bulk propane provider that delivers to large tanks like 300 gallon, 500 gallon or 1,000 gallon. This is who will give you best pricing.

See other GJ threads on this same topic as you will want to BUY YOUR OWN propane tank as it will give you lowest cost in long-run.

Also, you'll want to fill your propane tank in "off season" which in cold environments is the summer. Hopefully that is also true in California that you can get best price in summer. Thus, you'll spend a lot of money all at one time, but overall it will be cheaper.

Finally, plan out buried underground yellow polyethlene plastic pipe from tank to house, and tank to garage, and one of these T off to a BBQ grill so you won't have to mess with 20 lb bottles.

 

[2mJps]

Natural gas is cheaper but you have to pay to have it year around even if you are not useing it. I think it is close to $19.00 a month.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Might want to check underground tanks as they seem to be a lot safer and you cannot see them except for the fill top. Underground no one can shoot them and storms can't blow them way and floods won't normally move them as easy.

 

[kevin47]

The house I'm moving to has what appears to be a 300 gallon (above ground) tank...I checked the "gauge" and noticed it's 'bout empty...What I also found amusing is that there is some type of wireless "thingy" that alerts the gas supplier that the tank is getting low...I assumed it's much cheaper buying in "bulk" but my question was about a comparison on the difference in price between the two...

 

[CNGsaves]

Waste of time to compare Propane to Natural Gas . . . IF . . . this house is out in boonies where there are no natural gas pipelines for service.

If you "want to consider" NG, call the local natural gas provider and get quote on burying NG pipe to your property. Let's just say it's 2,000 ft away and their typical charge is $7/ft then you'd have to pony up $14,000 just to get started with NG. Thus, likely not cost effective but you'll never know unless you call the construction department of the NG gas company.

Quickest way might be to talk to neighbors who've gone through this process already.

 

[Bobf]

Find out who is servicing the tank now, and also if the tank is owned or leased?
I haven't been on natural gas for 30 years, since we moved off the beaten path slightly. I've been leasing the propane tank all this time, was $50/yr, but went up last 1st of the year slightly, don't remember exact amount. Had I known I was going to be here 30+ yrs I would have bought the tank, which allows you to shop around for best rate. Usually other suppliers will not fill somebody elses leased tank.

 

[kevin47]

Assuming that the cost of propane is more than NG...And figuring out which is more efficent...Is what my question is about...I don't have a choice here...It's going to be propane...I guess I'll find out when I compare my bill from the house in town Vs. the home in the "country"...Thanks...

 

[kevin47]

Thanks, Bobf...This is something I hadn't even dreamed of...I am going to live here the rest of my days...So...I did notice different supplier labels on the different homes I was considering buying...

I wonder if they'd sell me their "leased" tank...?

 

[4everRS]

I filled my propane for 1.29 last September. 500 gallon tank. It took 340 gallons to top it off.

Since propane is a by product if natural gas refining, as well as the need to transport it to your home by truck, it is almost always more expensive. But not by much. Prices move together. Just propane is a bit more per btu.

I would check if there is a "dual-fuel" program with your electricity provider to see if they offer discounts on electric rates if you have a back-up fuel source. We do this and our electric rate is 4.2c per kwh (half price) on this system.

 

[kevin47]

Thanks, 4everRS this is what I want to find out...I'm glad there's a nice big wood stove and I own about 6 Stihl chainsaws and a truck...lol

 

[theoldwizard1]

Propane is more expensive than NG, period.

If you have a wood stove and access to wood, you know your answer already. Propane is still a good option for cooking, hot water and clothes drying.

 

[Rob_b]

Here's a link that explains it pretty well. The price of NG is really low right now so the numbers you come up with will have to be adjusted to match.

http://www.propane101.com/propanevsnaturalgas.htm

 

[kevin47]

Propane is more expensive than NG, period.

If you have a wood stove and access to wood, you know your answer already. Propane is still a good option for cooking, hot water and clothes drying.

Thanks, Buddy...I knew someone would give me a straight answer...The stove is gas which in my book is the only way to go...The elevation is only 500 ft anyway...And I prefer electric blanks anyhow...And the house is under 1,500 Sq ft...So...I'll be spending most of my time in the shop anyway ...lol

I'd better fill up now ...at the seasonal low...! lol

Thanks, Rob b...Very informative...!

 

[CNGsaves]

Post up some pics of this propane tank, along with the heating systems in both the house and garage.

How far away is nearest house, or potential interconnect with natural gas pipeline, IF you are so hopeful to get NG??

 

[wssix99]

If you don't need the fuel for heat, propane will be cheaper when you take in to account the cost of having a gas meter hooked up year-round. I lived in a building that didn't need heat and I paid 3X more for the natural gas meter than the actual natural gas.

Propane is still relatively expensive for heat. If you are going to be there for a while, you might look in to doing a geothermal heating system and keeping the propane for everything else. Uncle Sam is giving a 30% rebate on the install cost. (If the system includes radiant floors or ductwork, that's included in the deal.) Its an investment that will take a while to pay off, but it won't take too long with the tax incentive.

 

[theoldwizard1]

...The stove is gas which in my book is the only way to go...The elevation is only 500 ft anyway...And I prefer electric blanks anyhow...And the house is under 1,500 Sq ft..

My Dad used to heat his house with wood (even cheaper than NG !).

I assume you meant "electric blankets". Mom and Dad's bedroom was at the far end of the house and in winter it would be in the 50s in there ! They much preferred heated mattress pads over heat blankets.

I'd better fill up now ...at the seasonal low...! lol

I would guess that propane prices would be lowest in summer.


In your situation, if you get tired of burning wood, look into a heat pump. Even though they are expensive to install, it would pay back in a few years compared to LP.

 

[c4cruiser]

One problem now with using wood for home heating is that some states invoke "burn bans" based on air quality conditions in the area. Here in WA, a burn ban can be invoked for what seems to be little or no reason.

Even if you have a fireplace that has a catalytic converter or a pellet stove with a converter, a burn ban keeps you from using a wood fire for heat. The only exception is if wood is your only source of heat. It could be interpreted that having a large propane tank and lines into the house would mean that you "could" heat with propane. And locally, there are stiff fines if homeowners get caught using wood in a fireplace when burn bans are in force.

Might be worth checking out what the state and county laws are with regard to wood heat before you commit to using wood for heating.

 

[Norcal]

Good call on the burn bans, they are all over here in CA. Propane prices can be all over the place, though. For me it is nat. gas or electric, I do not like propane, the only thing is in CA it does not take a lot to pay 50 cents a KWH for electricity, all it takes is to use more KWH then they think you should.

 

[bams50]

PPropane is UUsually CCostlier than NNatural GGas

 

[Kevin54]

Around here NG is cheaper than LP. But living in the country, one doesn't have much choice . It will either be Propane, electric, or fuel oil, unless you would be so lucky to have a NG well on your property. One thing to consider is how cold it gets in your area. If you have an abundance of wood, then you could put in one of the outside boilers that are cropping up everywhere. You also need to consider the BTU's put out by each. Propane does not produce the heat that NG does or that Fuel Oil produces.

We are actually thinking of putting in a woodburner to offset our propane cost. I did find out though that we were getting pretty well gouged by our Propane supplier. They went out of business due to a death in the family and our Propane dropped by more than a dollar a gallon.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Why are you burning a flame?

Sounds like you're going to be out in the country on your own well. Consider a ground water geo-thermal heat pump. If you have enough room and the land lays right, pump the water from the well, run it through the heat pump to heat your house in the winter and cool it in the summer. Then dump the water in a pond or marsh or let it go down the hill and percolate into the soil (and return to the earth where it came from).

But check on the cost of electricity first. If the cost is high, then propane might be the answer. If the cost of electricity is lower or moderate, then the GWHP might be your ticket.

I have one in Wisconsin, 25 miles NW of Green Bay. Pump the water from the ground, use it, dump it in a river. Works great!

http://www.waterfurnace.com/residential.aspx?gclid=CNr3itS3trYCFcw7MgodsxgAyg

Keep us posted.