Is Propane Renewable Energy?
The steps the fuel is taking towards a zero-carbon-emissions future
These days it is quite common to come across homeowners, business owners and various industries doing their part to be more environmentally conscious and decrease their carbon footprint. Propane production is hopping on this bandwagon as well with renewable propane.
Renewable propane explained
Your traditional and standard propane gas is environmentally friendly as it is and contains a pretty low carbon profile. However, renewable propane is even more environmentally friendly than standard propane.
Standard propane and renewable propane are identical on a molecular level. They can also be used interchangeably. However, they differ in how they are made and what they are made from.
Standard propane is a by-product of the crude oil refining process.
- Renewable propane, on the other hand, is made from either water residues or sustainably sourced materials such as agricultural waste, cooking oil and meat fats. You can find a few renewable propane refineries here in the United States and in Europe, where they are more common. Both countries are working hard to develop more renewable propane production plants as a stepping-stone towards a cleaner and greener environment. Although we’re not yet delivering renewable propane, the number of commercial production plants that make renewable propane is growing as we speak!
As we mentioned, traditional propane is already an environmentally friendly choice. It is clean burning, considered ‘green’ and produces hardly any greenhouse gas. On top of that, it is non-toxic and, therefore, not harmful to any surrounding plants, soil, animals or other living organisms. Thanks to how efficient propane appliances are, they take up a smaller carbon footprint than their electric alternatives.
Renewable propane provides the same environmental benefits that standard propane does. Additionally, renewable propane:
- Creates less waste that ends up in a landfill thanks to the fact that it is made from recycled materials such as cooking oils and animal fats.
- Has a better carbon intensity when you compare it to other sources of energy. Compared to diesel fuel and standard gasoline, renewable propane’s carbon intensity is about five times better. It is about 1.5 times better than electricity from the US power grid’s carbon intensity.
Propane from W.H. Riley & Son
W.H. Riley & Son has been supplying fuel to Southeastern Massachusetts since 1873. We are a full-service propane delivery company that is proud to provide:
- An automatic propane delivery system
- Emergency services to our fuel customers that are available 24/7 all year round
- Furnace, boiler and water heater installations
- Services from technicians who are skilled, licensed and experienced
- Autopay, an Easy Pay budget plan and various additional payment options
- Plumbing services for propane appliances including pool heaters, propane grills and propane stoves
- Fair and transparent pricing
When you get your propane from W.H. Riley & Son, you receive all the benefits propane has to offer including convenience, versatility, efficiency and reliability. Not to mention, that you will notice that you start saving on your utility bills thanks to how effective propane is!
Contact W.H. Riley today to start receiving all the benefits that a full-service propane provider is able to provide.