Did you know that propane is an alkane, which means it’s made up of carbon and the chemical element hydrogen? Are you wondering what’s best for your home, natural gas vs propane?
In this guide, you’ll learn the differences between the two to decide what’s best for your home. Read on to discover the many benefits of propane and why it might be your option over natural gas.
What Is Natural Gas?
Natural gas is like oil and coal, which are fossil fuels. It comes from millions of years ago from animal and plant matter that decayed under pressure and heat underground.
Natural gas is considered a greenhouse gas when it’s released into the environment. A drawback of natural gas is that you can’t do price shopping since you can be limited to utility companies in Chester County that offer it.
What is Propane
Propane is considered a fossil fuel and is a hydrocarbon. Almost all of the propane used in the U.S. is from North America. Propane is considered more efficient for your appliances.
Propane is also portable, so if you need to move or if certain systems in your house aren’t working, you can still use the propane.
Natural Gas vs Propane
Natural gas and propane are both considered fossil fuels and are produced mostly domestically. Propane is made into a liquid form and sold in either portable containers or delivered by a truck.
Natural gas is received through a pipeline in its natural gaseous state.
Appliances
While many appliances can work with natural gas or propane, they’ll still require special gas utilization fittings for each fuel source. That’s because natural gas and propane are on different levels of pressure.
When it was installed, you could have received a conversion kit depending on how old your appliances are. You’ll want a licensed professional to do a conversion. Some appliances can’t be converted to natural gas, so then you’ll need to buy natural gas convertible appliances.
Safety Concerns
Since both natural gas and propane are highly flammable, they should be handled carefully. Gas leaks due to their infrastructure can be hard to fix. Propane tanks can explode, but it’s much less likely than natural gas.
Since propane isn’t connected by widespread gas lines, its impact isn’t as vast. Natural gas leaks are harder to detect since gas is naturally odorless. Some companies are trying to combat this by adding a scent to the gas.
Since propane is much less likely to explode, it’s considered a safer option.
Environmental Impact
The toxicity of natural gas is considered higher than propane. If propane were to go into the ground, it wouldn’t harm the environment. If natural gas were to leak into the environment, it would pollute the environment.
Propane is actually considered one of the safest fossil fuels. While they’re both considered eco-friendly, propane is the more environmentally friendly option.
Versatility for Each Option
Both propane and natural gas can work for all appliance options from cooktops to BBQs. Propane has a higher BTU rating, which means it can provide higher heat. Since it provides higher heat, it’s better for cooking, whether on a BBQ or a cooktop, and running all your appliances efficiently.
Which Costs Less?
Cost is definitely a factor when deciding between natural gas vs propane in Chester County and northern Delaware. For propane, it’s measured in price per gallon, and natural gas is measured in price per cubic foot.
When you do conversions, it might seem like natural gas is less expensive. The true cost really depends on many factors of your home, such as how well your furnace and appliances work.
Also, take a look at BTU, which is a measure of heating efficiency. Propane has more than double the BTU rating, which means propane will burn cleaner and more efficiently.
Problems With Switching to Natural Gas
If you ever decide to switch to natural gas, it’ll be a costly and long venture. You’ll need to convert your appliances to natural gas, which can be quite costly to switch all of them.
You’ll also receive a cost to remove the propane tank from your home. You’ll need to restore that part of your yard once the propane tank has been dug up. If you don’t want to do that, you’ll need to check codes for Chester County and see about emptying the tank, but not removing it.
If you’re leasing the gas tank, you’ll need to pay the gas company to remove it or buy the tank.
Also, your yard won’t be the same for a long time since it’ll need to be dug up to add a natural gas line and take out the propane line.
When it’s available in your neighborhood, it’ll need to be brought to your home, hence why the lines will need to be placed. You’ll more than likely need to replace the grass in many places.
You’ll be responsible for marking any underground utilities, such as a septic tank or irrigation system. You’ll also have to hire a contractor to install the natural pipeline.
Choosing Between Natural Gas and Propane
While it can feel overwhelming deciding between natural gas vs propane, you’ll want to keep the price, efficiency, and safety in mind.
Are you ready to get started on your propane tank today? Contact us to get started and receive your propane tank, and we will meet your delivery needs.
FAQs
1. Is propane cheaper than natural gas as of 2025?
Propane and natural gas prices vary by region, availability, and usage. While natural gas often looks cheaper per unit, propane delivers more than twice the BTUs per cubic foot. This means propane burns hotter and more efficiently, so you may use less overall. In some areas, propane can be the more cost-effective option once efficiency is factored in.
2. Which is safer: propane or natural gas?
Both fuels are highly flammable and must be handled with care. However, propane is considered safer in many situations because leaks are easier to detect (thanks to added odorants) and propane is stored in a tank on your property, rather than traveling through widespread utility pipelines. Natural gas leaks can be more difficult to identify and have a greater environmental impact.
3. Can natural gas appliances be converted to propane?
Many appliances are compatible with both propane and natural gas, but they require a special conversion kit. Some appliances can’t be converted at all and would need to be replaced. A licensed professional should always handle conversions to ensure proper pressure adjustments and safe operation.
4. What is renewable propane?
Renewable propane is a newer, eco-friendly alternative produced from sustainable feedstocks, including vegetable oils and animal fats. It performs the same as traditional propane but with a much lower carbon footprint. Many experts view renewable propane as a crucial step toward cleaner energy use in homes and businesses.
5. Does propane burn cleaner than natural gas?
Yes. While both are cleaner than coal or oil, propane produces less carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases than natural gas when burned. Because propane doesn’t release methane — a powerful greenhouse gas — it’s often considered the greener choice for heating and appliances.
6. Which fuel is better for cooking?
Propane generally provides a higher heat output (higher BTU rating) than natural gas, which makes it excellent for grilling and cooking. Natural gas can also be effective, but may not achieve the same high searing temperatures that propane provides. For homeowners who want fast, even cooking, propane is often preferred.